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March 28, 2002 - Media Release

JOINT TREATY CONSULTATIONS IN SOUTH COAST NSW

The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) and ATSIC will hold a series of Treaty Consultations in the South Coast area over the next five weeks, starting in Nowra on Tuesday, April 2nd.

The meetings are designed to inform the Indigenous community about the concept of a treaty and how it might work.

Discussions will also cover similar international agreements and treaties, and any relevant legal or constitutional matters.

" We are by no means advocating a treaty, nor are we negotiating anything to do with a treaty. These meetings are purely to inform and educate our people about what treaties are. Once properly informed the community can then make up their mind as to whether they wish to proceed down the path of negotiating a treaty," ATSIC Treaty Commissioner Steve Gordon said.

NSWALC Chairman Rod Towney agreed.

"For too long, Indigenous people have been told what's best for them by governments who couldn't be bothered consulting them about their own future. Our people are telling us that they don't want the treaty issue hijacked by government and other non-Indigenous interests. They want to make their own decisions about whether or not they want a treaty, and if so, what sort of treaty it should be," Chairman Towney said.

The south coast consultations will take place:

Date Location

02/04/2002 Nowra

03/04/2002 Jerrinja

23/04/2002 Bateman's Bay

24/04/2002 Moruya - 10am-2pm

24/04/2002 Bodalla - 4.30pm-8pm

30/04/2002 Wallaga Lake

01/05/2002 Bega

02/05/2002 Eden

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