National Treaty Conference - Canberra, 27-29 Aug

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and ANTaR co-hosted a major national conference, the National Treaty Conference, at the National Convention Centre in Canberra on 27-29 August 2002.

Aims: The Conference brought together government, Indigenous, NGO, business and community representatives to discuss the issues surrounding the concept of a treaty between Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Commonwealth of Australia.

Speakers: The Conference heard from key Indigenous, non-Indigenous and overseas speakers including: Geoff Clark, Dr Mick Dodson, Jackie Huggins, Prof Marcia Langton, Dr Bill Jonas, Michael Mansell, Prof Larissa Behrendt, Clarrie Isaacs, Hon Malcolm Fraser, Sir Tipene O'Regan, Prof Deryk Schreuder, Sharan Burrows, Lyn Mason, Dr Kerryn Phelps, Megan Mitchell, John Altman, Lester Irabinna Rigney, Lynne Rowley, Glen Shaw, Dr Martin Nakata, Charlie Smith, Dick Esten, David Ervine, Hon Phillip Ruddock, Hon Carmen Lawrence, Sen Kerry Nettle (Greens) and Sid Spindler (Democrats).

Key Themes: Key themes addressed included: Unfinished Business, Sovereignty, Agreement-making, Economics of a Treaty, Social Impacts, Possible Treaty Frameworks and Political Party Positions.

Download Conference brochure [pdf - 479kb]

Available Papers from the Conference

George Williams - Unfinished Business: Strategies and Lessons for Reform
Gregory Phillips (NIYMA) - Winds of Change

NOTE: All papers from the conference will soon be available on the Treaty Now website at: http://www.treatynow.org

National Treaty Forum Debate

Audio and video downloads of the National Treaty Debate held at New Parliament House on Wednesday 28th August are available.