Tasmania should follow Victoria's lead and establish a "truth-telling" forum to confront its history of dispossession and violence, leading figures in the Aboriginal community say.
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Activist and lawyer Michael Mansell said there was "no impediment" to Tasmania setting up its own body akin to the truth and justice commission announced by the Victorian government on Tuesday.
"We can glorify the past and ignore the atrocities that were committed but it doesn't make us a wholesome people.
"I think people should never be afraid of looking at the truth. And, from that, we learn the lessons of history, which is the whole point of history, instead of putting our heads in the sand and thinking it didn't really happen when it did."
Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino detailed the new Yoo-rrook Justice Commission on Tuesday, saying it would begin its work in the coming months, be independent from government, and have the same powers as a royal commission.
"This is ... an acknowledgement that the pain in our past is present in the lives of people right now," he said.
"It's a recognition that without truth, without justice, you can't have a treaty.
"You can't take that incredibly powerful step forward until we go through this process."
I think people should never be afraid of looking at the truth. And, from that, we learn the lessons of history, which is the whole point of history.
- Michael Mansell, activist and lawyer
In Tasmania, a state where the entire Aboriginal population was almost wiped out by British colonists in the early 19th century, Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre campaign coordinator Nala Mansell (who is Mr Mansell's daughter) said recognition was the first step towards a treaty and, ultimately, reconciliation.
"And I don't think we can move forward with any type of reconciliation, until the state government stands up and acknowledges the atrocities committed against Aboriginal people, which they have actively continued to ignore for the past 200 years," she said.
"People don't learn about the atrocities committed against Aboriginal people at school. We don't learn the names of the Aboriginal warriors who fought to defend their country.
"There are still no monuments or any recognition of the many people who fought to defend their lands."
A government spokesperson said while the establishment of a truth-telling body was "not under active consideration", the government was open to "discussions" with Tasmanian Aboriginal leaders and to hearing "what more can be done".
"We will closely follow proceedings in Victoria and will always take on board any learnings that could be applied in a Tasmanian context," they said.
Rob Inglis
Rob Inglis is a reporter with The Examiner, covering state and federal politics. He is based in Hobart.
Rob Inglis is a reporter with The Examiner, covering state and federal politics. He is based in Hobart.
