Djab Wurrung Gunnai Gunditjmara woman and independent Senator Lidia Thorpe told Green Left the major parties are in a “race to the bottom”.

“Our songlines are being destroyed, our country and waterways are sick. Our priority has always been looking after our land, our water and our people.

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“They’re going to have a fight on their hands: Whether it’s Labor or the Coalition who wins, I’ll keep holding them to account — calling for Treaty, truth-telling and an end to the many injustices my people face.”

Thorpe is opposed to nuclear power, more gas and more destruction of land and water. She said the Anthony Albanese government has been “very disappointing”.

“Labor promised the world and has delivered nothing when it comes to justice for our people,” she said, despite her original hope that First Nations people could get some wins under Labor.

“We heard a lot of promises and lies during the Voice referendum … [Labor] talked about being committed to the Uluru Statement in full, but are now walking back its support for Treaty and Truth-Telling.”

Thorpe said Labor had “done nothing” to stop the ongoing genocide of First Nations people. “More than 24,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are in out-of-home care and incarceration rates are growing.

“Neither major party will do anything to reduce incarceration rates. Many, including myself, have lost family members to this colonial system.”

Thorpe said she had pushed Labor to commit to tracking deaths in custody, but it refused to commit........

© Green Left Weekly