Fact Sheet

Treaties can deliver for all citizens, we can share with all Victorians the oldest living culture in the world... Our language, our stories. We can enrich Victoria and all Victorians by exposing them to Victorian Aboriginal cultures. Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner, Jill Gallagher

Even just with a mention of treaty, that opens up a different world for us to talk and put things in place, do all sorts of negotiations around how we structure our lives. Ngarrindjeri man and leader, Major Sumner

The First Nations of the Northern Territory were self-governing in accordance with their traditional laws and customs. First Nations peoples of the Northern Territory never ceded sovereignty of their lands, seas and waters. Barunga Agreement

I think that moral element is something that is not measurable in dollars and cents but is part of the whole psyche and social fabric of Tasmania that a treaty can deliver. Palawa man and lawyer, Michael Mansell

The Native Title Act sets out a national system for the recognition and protection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights to land. The Act was passed by the Australian Parliament in response to the ground-breaking Mabo decision, which overturned 200 years of injustice. After three decades of Native Title, it is estimated that ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights and interests in land are formally recognised over around 40 per cent of Australia’s land mass.’ However, the compromises involved in drafting the Act, court cases and subsequent legislative amendments have left many people wondering whether the Native Title Act fulfils the ‘promise of Mabo’.

The Australian Lawyers for Human Rights have created a detailed fact sheet on the Racial Discrimination Act and have permitted ANTaR to share it on its website.

At its heart, Constitutional recognition goes to our values as a nation – how should we reflect the history, culturesand continuing contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our defining document? How do we articulate the standards of equality, non-discrimination and inclusiveness to which we aspire.

The lessons learnt from successful referendums is that political support across all parties is important, and that awareness and ownership by the Australian people is essential.

Our political leaders are partners and collaborators in this historic move towards unity.

The path to success now requires reaching the hearts and minds of the Australian people.  

Help us grow the movement with our spread the word flyer

To Change the Record, we need to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communi-ties to invest in holistic early intervention, prevention and diversion strategies. These are smarter, evidence-based and more cost-effective solutions that increase safety, address the root causes of violence against women and children, cut reoffending and imprisonment rates, and build stronger communities. 

Here is our list of what needs to be done.