The Oodgeroo of the tribe Noonuccal has lodged a complaint with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission against Brisbane Archbishop John Bathersby and the archdiocese alleging discrimination against Aboriginal people.
The Westender reports the "Oodgeroo of the tribe Noonuccal, Custodian of the land Minjerribah, Peace Prosperity and Healing, Sacred Treaty Circles" has lodged a complaint with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission against Brisbane Catholic Archbishop John Bathersby, the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane and their lawyers, alleging discrimination against Aboriginal people.
The Oodgeroo Treaty Circles have complained the Archbishop has discriminated against Aboriginal people by refusing to acknowledge the validity of a treaty between Father Peter Kennedy on behalf of the St Mary's South Brisbane parish and Bejam Denis Walker on behalf of the Noonuccal and other Aboriginal people.
Archdiocesan lawyers Thynne and Macartney have written to Bejam Denis Walker and described the St Mary's treaty as having no legal effect or validity and stated the Archbishop will not enter into any discussions or negotiations as to the implications of the treaty.
But spokesperson for the Oodgeroo Treaty Circles, John Tracey, said "the St Mary's Treaty was signed during a well attended Mass with the congregation of St Mary's and members of the local Aboriginal community witnessing it.
"The treaty was celebrated in coroborree in accordance with Aboriginal customary law and written on paper in accordance with non-Aboriginal law. It is real."
"The Archbishop's choice of (former High Court Justice Ian Callinan as) mediator is an example of the contempt of Aboriginal law, culture and rights that he appears to hold. His blanket refusal to discuss the treaty is another."
"The Oodgeroo Treaty Circles are asking the Archbishop and the Brisbane Archdiocese to confirm and support the St Mary's treaty which involves innovative Aboriginal welfare and social justice programs such as dry camps, a cultural heritage education program and the facilitation of Aboriginal men's, women's and elders business.
"The treaty process provides non-Aboriginal Australians a direct relationship with Aboriginal culture and programs. This path of healing is being obstructed by the Archbishop's refusal to even acknowledge Aboriginal rights and interests, let alone work pro-actively with them," Mr Tracey said.
SOURCE
Archbishop accused of racism (Westender)
LINKS
Oodgeroo of the tribe Noonuccal, Custodian of the land Minjerribah, Peace Prosperity and Healing, Sacred Treaty Circles (Treaty Now)