The Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) has condemned the Northern Territory government's decision to abandon the Treaty process with First Nations Peoples, calling it a major setback to reconciliation efforts.
IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said the decision, which brings to an end seven years of progress towards an NT Treaty, undermines commitments to closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
"The decision is shameful but unsurprising and characteristic of a government not fully committed to reconciliation," Mr Burke said.
"Seven years of hard work and considerable funding were invested into this Treaty process, which has now devastatingly been scrapped."
"Once again, First Nations Peoples are having the rug ripped out from under them."
The NT government, led by Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, confirmed it would no longer pursue a Treaty, stating it was never part of the Country Liberal Party's agenda.
"We've never supported a Treaty, so that's all been dismantled under our government," Ms Finocchiaro told Stateline NT.
"Our focus is on local government reform — we've always been clear about that."
The decision contradicts recommendations from a 2023 Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) report, which called for greater recognition of systemic racism and a commitment to self-determination for First Nations Peoples.
Mr Burke noted abandoning the Treaty process would erode efforts to improve outcomes for Indigenous communities and further delay progress on closing the gap.
"We urge the NT government to reconsider its decision and do the right thing by re-establishing the Treaty process," he said.
The NT government has not allocated funding for any of the recommendations from the former Treaty Commission's report.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Steve Edgington confirmed that the cost of establishing a Treaty Commission and office between 2018 and 2024 was $5.3 million, with at least $4 million spent on consultations across the NT.
Opposition Leader Selena Uibo, who served as Treaty Minister under the previous Labor government, described the decision as "disappointing" but "unfortunately not surprising."
She urged the government to honour and expand Local Decision-Making Agreements (LDMs), which she said have delivered tangible benefits in remote communities.
"We know that when communities have LDMs tailored to their specific needs and are empowered to make their own decisions, it leads to positive outcomes," Ms Uibo said.
"Groote Eylandt is a prime example, where we've seen a significant reduction in crime alongside major improvements in housing and justice."
"It's time for the CLP to recognise the success of these agreements and continue this important work."
Ms Uibo also criticised the government's approach to Treaty discussions.
"Now we have the CLP government who has closed up all ears, all mind, all heart, about what Treaty could look like in the Territory," she said.
Independent Arnhem Land politician Yiŋiya Mark Guyula called the decision "saddening" and "ignorant."
"They need to understand, they need to listen, and accept the fact that they are doing a lot of damage when they say 'no,'" Mr Guyula said.
"You remove Treaty and you're still standing on us, walking all over us — that's why we need Treaty, to get [the government] off our backs."
While Labor had long supported the Treaty process, the Treaty Commission office was quietly shut down in 2023 after the government published its response to the Treaty Commission's recommendations online over the Christmas period.
The recommendations were never enacted, despite Labor's attempt to revive the process in its final days in government.
The decision to dismantle the Treaty process comes as the latest Commonwealth Closing the Gap Annual Report (2024) shows only five of 19 key targets are on track.
Advocates warn that without a formal agreement recognising First Nations sovereignty, progress in addressing systemic inequalities will remain slow.
