Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney will hold her first bilateral talks todaywith the New Zealand Minister for Mori Development, Willie Jackson.<\/p>\n
Ms Burney is expected to discuss a range of issues with Mr Jackson, including New Zealand's approach to treaty and reconciliation with Mori people, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and business partnerships.<\/p>\n
The ministers will collaborate and share experiences on policy making for First Nations and Mori people, and how to advance Indigenous rights within their respective countries.<\/p>\n
Leaders from the Indigenous and Mori business sectors will also be attending, with a view to discussing potential partnerships between the two nations.<\/p>\n
The rights of the Mori people in New Zealand have been recognised since 1840, when Mori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi.<\/p>\n
The treaty promised to give Mori people self-determination over their lands and resources while giving the British Crown the authority to govern.<\/p>\n
Today, the treaty is not recognised as a part of New Zealand law, except where it is referred to in acts of parliament.<\/p>\n
In Australia, there are currently no treaties between Indigenous people and the government, but Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory have all started the process of establishing state-based treaties.<\/p>\n
The federal government has committed to implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full, including a constitutionally enshrined 'voice to parliament' and establishing a Makarrata Commission, which would oversee a truth-telling and treaty process.<\/p>\n
In New Zealand, the treaty is now used as part of the Waitangi Tribunal, which acts as a permanent commission of inquiry on Mori rights.<\/p>\n
The commission hears claims on Mori business and advises government on language preservation, land rights and cultural protections.<\/p>\n
Critics say the protection of Mori rights outlined by the treaty is largely dependent on political will and often inconsistent, and the power of the Waitangi Tribunal is too limited.<\/p>\n
The tribunal has consistently advised that Mori people be given foreshore and seabed rights, but successive governments in New Zealand have ignored the recommendation.<\/p>\n
The Waitangi Tribunal could be viewed as a model of how a Voice and Makarrata commission might proceed, but Indigenous people are concerned it could also be a model of how it could fail to adequately protect them.<\/p>\n
Also on the agenda for MsBurney and MrJackson will be progressing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).<\/p>\n
The declaration outlines the minimum standards for the survival, dignity, and well-being of Indigenous people around the world.<\/p>\n
Despite initially voting against the declaration in 2007, Australia adopted UNDRIP in 2009 and New Zealand in 2010.<\/p>\n
Last year, Mr Jackson announced a national plan was being developed to implement the UNDRIP framework in New Zealand and monitor improvements.<\/p>\n
In Australia, progress on UNDRIP had largely stalled, but two bills introduced by Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe earlier this year have relaunched the push to see the framework fully implemented.<\/p>\n
An inquiry into the application of the framework in Australia will be established, and SenatorThorpe has also introduced a bill to ensure the government complies with the declaration.<\/p>\n
Ms Burney will also join Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in his meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Friday.<\/p>\n
Ms Ardern has been in Australia since Monday as part of a trade mission, visiting Melbourne and Sydney accompanied by a delegation of more than 30 New Zealand businesses.<\/p>\n
Friday will be the second meeting between Mr Albanese and Ms Ardern since the May election.<\/p>\n
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Australia begins bilateral talks with New Zealand on treaty and reconciliation with First Nations people - ABC News<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney will hold her first bilateral talks todaywith the New Zealand Minister for Mori Development, Willie Jackson. Continue reading