Australia’s recent treaty with Tuvalu casts a stark light on its longstanding neglect of Indigenous rights within its own borders. And this contrast is striking and speaks volumes about Australia’s selective approach to treaties, particularly when it comes to its own Indigenous peoples.
The Albanese government’s groundbreaking treaty with Tuvalu, offering 11,200 residents resettlement rights in the face of climate change, is both commendable and necessary. This agreement, acknowledging Tuvalu’s vulnerability to rising sea levels, demonstrates Australia’s willingness to extend a helping hand to its Pacific neighbours.
And it reflects a deep understanding of the global responsibility that comes with climate change, a crisis that respects no borders.
But this gesture of goodwill and acknowledgment sits uncomfortably alongside Australia’s historical and ongoing reluctance to enter into a treaty with its own Indigenous peoples.
And these calls have largely been met with political inertia, leaving a gaping void in the nation’s fabric of reconciliation and justice.
But notably the Labor Party under former Prime Minister Bob Hawke promised to negotiate a treaty with First Nations Australians by 1990, which stands out as a stark reminder of political promises made and not kept.
And this broken promise is not just a footnote in history; it represents a deeper issue of trust and unmet expectations within Indigenous communities.
Because the failure to fulfill such a significant pledge speaks volumes about the challenges of political will and prioritisation in addressing Indigenous issues.
And it’s a pattern that has led to skepticism and disappointment among Indigenous Australians, who have been waiting for meaningful action and recognition for generations… but the lack of follow-through on treaty negotiations from successive governments including those led by Labor, suggests a disconnect between political rhetoric and action.
This gap has not only stalled progress on Indigenous rights and recognition but has also eroded trust in the political process and institutions supposed to represent and serve all Australians.
And the absence of a treaty with Indigenous Australians is not just a matter of historical oversight; it’s a continuing source of disparity and injustice.
Because unlike neighbouring New Zealand, which has long-established treaties with its Maori population, Australia remains the only Commonwealth nation without such agreements with its Indigenous communities.
And this lack of formal recognition has profound implications, not just symbolically but in terms of policy-making, land rights and the socio-economic well-being of Indigenous Australians.
The contrast between Australia’s proactive approach to Tuvalu and its passive stance on Indigenous treaties is telling.
Because it suggests a prioritisation of international diplomacy over domestic justice, a stance that, while bolstering Australia’s image on the global stage, undermines its moral credibility at home… and by extending a hand to Tuvalu, Australia acknowledges the importance of respecting sovereignty and providing refuge in times of crisis.
Yet, by not extending the same respect to its own Indigenous peoples, it fails to address the long-standing crises of dispossession, marginalisation and cultural erosion that these communities face.
And this dichotomy raises important questions about Australia’s national identity and its commitment to reconciliation.
Because while the nation shows readiness to address the impacts of climate change internationally, it appears hesitant to confront the historical and ongoing climate of injustice within its own borders. And a treaty with Indigenous Australians wouldn’t just be a symbolic gesture; it would be a crucial step toward rectifying past wrongs, acknowledging sovereignty and laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and equitable Australia.
So while Australia’s treaty with Tuvalu is a positive step in addressing the global challenge of climate change, it also highlights the nation’s unfinished business with its own Indigenous peoples.
And the path to a truly reconciled and just Australia lies not only in extending support to external allies but also in honouring the rights and voices of those who have long been part of its land and history.
It’s time for Australia to show the same level of commitment and recognition to its Indigenous communities as it does to its international neighbours.
