10 July 2019
The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) has reiterated its call for a First Nations Voice to be enshrined in the Constitution as NAIDOC week activities are held across Australia.
The Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, said today a referendum to recognise Indigenous people in the constitution – based on a “consensus option’’ to be worked out in the current Parliamentary term – would be called within three years.
PIA specifically supports the consensus achieved among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people reflected in the Uluru Statement issued after the First National Constitutional Convention in 2017.
The statement called for the establishment of a “First Nations Voice” in the Australian Constitution and a “Makarrata Commission’’ to supervise a process of “agreement-making” and “truth-telling’’ between governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In a media release after the Statement was first published, PIA stated its support for a process of agreement-making to take place between governments and First Nations.
“Both would serve to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples a genuine voice in matters that affect them, including those relating to land use planning,” the release said.
The Uluru Statement is significant for all Australians.
Backed by a sincere commitment from our decision-makers and the population at large, it has the potential to represent a new chapter for our country – towards true reconciliation with, and a brighter future for, our First Peoples.
That both the Government and Shadow Ministers are of Aboriginal heritage and are leading discussion on constitutional reform is added cause for optimism.
PIA’s work planning with Indigenous communities
After the High Court’s Wik decision in 1997, PIA released a Background Paper and Guidance Notes for its members. At that time, PIA was on the front foot making the implications of native title understood to the planning profession and the wider community.
Since then, PIA has undertaken projects, conferences and actions relating to Indigenous Planning, but it is now time to re-double our efforts.
PIA is taking a lead role in:
- Engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples about how their rights and interests can be better recognised and integrated into land use planning;
- Upskilling the planning profession to engage in meaningful dialogue with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples about their rights and interests in land use planning; and
- Transforming the culture behind our land use planning systems in ways that empower Indigenous people to participate on equal terms.
There have been important initiatives nationwide, including treaty discussions in Victoria, local agreements affecting planning with the Darkinjung people in NSW, and planning law reform for which PIA has made representations.
The Queensland Planning Act 2016 (Qld) is significant as the first Australian planning law to require that functions performed under the Act include the “valuing, protecting and promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, culture and tradition”.
PIA acknowledges arguments that the requisite consultation and engagement is difficult and time-consuming. Therefore, PIA is developing and hosting training on improving planners’ cultural knowledge and skills in engagement with Aboriginal people.
PIA also now requires accredited planning universities to develop training in planning with aboriginal communities.
It has been demonstrated through constructive engagement and local agreement-making that Indigenous peoples’ values and aspirations can be integrated into contemporary planning processes that value and enhance differing world views.
PIA and its members continue to work with stakeholders on achieving land use planning outcomes that respect and reflect Indigenous rights and interests.
ENDS