As Tasmania prepares for its fourth state election in seven years, the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre has confirmed its rejection of the government's position on Truth-telling and Treaty.
Last month the incumbent Liberal government confirmed it would establish a Truth-telling and Healing Commission based on advice from the state's Aboriginal Advisory Group (AAG), but also that it would no longer progress Treaty negotiations in the state.
On Tuesday, the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) formally rejected the government's announced Truth-telling Commission, one it says offers "no tangible outcomes" for Aboriginal people.
"This is not a new conversation," Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre campaign manager Nala Mansell said.
"We are not interested in processes that go nowhere."
The organisation's stance comes after a recent meeting facilitated by the TAC, which brought together Elders, community leaders, and members from across the state, including Cape Barren Island, to discuss the path forward for Aboriginal justice in Tasmania.
The TAC said the meeting "echoed the community's demand" for genuine, Aboriginal-led agreements which deliver tangible outcomes and "recognise the rightful place" of Tasmanian Aboriginal people "as the original and ongoing owners of this land".
"The Tasmanian Aboriginal community has long called for binding commitments from governments, not just symbolic gestures or consultation," a TAC statement read.
Following its announcement the government's decision to establish a Truth-telling and Healing Commission was lauded by the state's Aboriginal Advisory group, with group member Dave Mangenner Gough saying the government's decision demonstrated "a strong willingness to continue to work with Tasmanian Aboriginal people".
"The AAG were very strong in telling the Government that this process must be Aboriginal community led and involve all Aboriginal people in Tasmania, and we insisted there needed to be Commissioners to undertake this important work," Mr Gough said last month.
"The AAG are very pleased the Government has listened and will be pushing forward with Tasmanian Truth-Telling and Healing Commissioners when nationally there has been some reluctance for conservative Governments to do so".
The announcement drew mixed responses from various individuals and community groups, with the TAC criticising the process outright.
"Despite insisting Aboriginal processes must be fully Aboriginal-led, Rockliff allowed his Minister, Roger Jaensch, to hand-pick so-called advisors to speak on our behalf," a TAC statement read.
"This is not self-determination - it's the same top-down, paternalistic control we've resisted for generations."
The TAC said the Greens are the only political party in Tasmania which have "consistently supported Aboriginal self-determination and stood up on these issues".
"If they hold the balance of power, we hope they use it to push Labor - and all parties - to take real action on Aboriginal land justice, and Treaty.
"Changing the Premier doesn't change the outcome - unless Labor chooses to act with integrity, courage, and respect for Aboriginal people."
Parliament's no confidence motion in premier Jeremy Rockliff means Tasmanians will again head to the polls next month, the election set for Saturday July 19.
Ms Mansell said she hopes Tasmania's next government ensures the rights of Aboriginal people will be acknowledged and acted upon.
"We've been calling for land justice, heritage protection and self-determination for decades," Ms Mansell said.
"Truth must be followed by action."
