5
votes
Two steps forward, one step back on Aboriginal treaties in Australia.
This week, two governments in Australia have taken steps towards negotiating treaties with the native Aboriginal people:
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Victorian Parliament votes on law to negotiate Australia's first Aboriginal treaty
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Indigenous treaty a step closer after Northern Territory government makes historic pledge
Meanwhile, one government says no:
It's interesting that the two governments moving forwards are Labor Party governments, while the one that's stopping the process is a newly elected Liberal Party government. It's hard not to draw the conclusion that this is a politically partisan issue.
Australia is a place I am very interested in, and it's a dream to take an extended vacation there, mostly to go driving through and exploring the back country. Here's a question, if the treaties are signed and their sovereignty is recognized, will they be allowed to create their own passports? The Iriquois here in the United States have their own passport, but several years ago I remember the British government refusing to honor them as legitimate documents. I believe the argument was that the Iriquois needed to have a U.S. passport, not one of their own creation, in spite of their sovereignty.
We won't know the terms of any treaties until after they've been negotiated. All we have at the moment is two governments committing to start negotiations. Ask us again in a few years!