Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) | Hansard source

Over the weekend we heard that the Greens will introduce a bill to put some pressure on the government to recommit to a makarrata commission, which Labor promised ahead of the last election and was a key part of the Statement from the Heart. The establishment of a national truth and justice commission is something that I have long argued for. It is a crucial step toward justice and self-determination for First Peoples. Without truth we cannot move forward. I hope the Greens remember that this is the policy that I developed alongside the Blak Greens. I know the Greens are big on recycling, but a bit of acknowledgement on this would have been nice.

I want to give a shout-out to the Blak Greens, who I worked with on this when I was at the Greens, and who always knew the importance of truth and treaty coming first. The wider Greens Party would do well to be led by the Blak Greens more often.

When it comes to Labor, they keep saying they're taking their time and doing more consultation, but no-one knows who they are actually talking to. It's obvious there is no commitment to truth and treaty from Labor. To me it looks like Albanese's promise of truth and treaty will join those made by Bob Hawke and Paul Keating before him, and Labor will again fail First Peoples in this country. Labor need to stop stringing us along and admit that they've failed. Your dishonesty is shameful and it's hurting people. You need to be honest, clearly commit to telling the truth and move towards a treaty, because that's what First Peoples want.