Abstract

Agreements between industry and Indigenous groups are increasingly ubiquitous, as evidenced by an ever increasing number of Indigenous Land Use Agreements under the Native Title Act. More recently, state and territory jurisdictions (most notably Victoria and the Northern Territory) have commenced treaty negotiations with Aboriginal communities. Other colonised states such as Canada, the United States, and New Zealand have long histories of agreement-making with First Nations.

The outcome of the 2019 federal election may have a bearing on Australia’s future directions with regard to Treaty, treaties, and other grand agreements with First Nations peoples. What can Australia learn from the experience of other jurisdictions and what would it take to make Treaty a success in Australia?

Short Bio

Professor Tony Dreise, a proud descendent of the Guumilaroi and Euahlayi First Nations of north-west New South Wales and south-west Queensland, was recently appointed Professor of Indigenous Policy and Director of the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR).

Tony is nationally and internationally recognised as a First Nations leader in policy, evaluation and research in the field of education and Indigenous affairs policy. He has had a 25-year policy and research career in Queensland, New South Wales and nationally having served in a number of executive and senior positions in education and public sectors. Tony is a qualified teacher, gained his Masters of Public Administration through the Australia and New Zealand School of Government, and obtained his PhD with ANU having studied the relationship between Australian philanthropy and Indigenous education.