An open letter to the Premier of Tasmania
The Honourable Will Hodgman,
Premier of Tasmania
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs,
Parliament House,
Hobart 7000.

9 August 2017

Dear Premier,
We the undersigned are Tasmanian writers, historians and publishers, with works
drawing on Tasmania’s past, present and sense of place.
As non-Aboriginal people, we unconditionally support steps to progress reconciliation
with Aboriginal Tasmania. While some of us have direct ancestral links to figures and
families involved in the colonisation of Tasmania, we all feel the heavy weight of this
history, how it was told and its ongoing impact on a proud and independent people.
Tasmania’s Aboriginal people, the Palawa, have lived here since time began. Their
culture, community and connection to Country lives on despite the dispossession and
injustice inflicted.
Injustice continues to this day, making the task of reconciliation multi-layered and
urgent. Reconciliation is more than atonement for the past. Reconciliation requires
action, equality, respect, celebration and support for Aboriginal people and their
heritage, today.
Reconciliation requires leadership.
Reconciliation requires good faith.
Premier, the takayna/Tarkine is Aboriginal land. It displays some of the most powerful
and precious sites of Aboriginal heritage significance and is an Aboriginal cultural
landscape, a direct link to Palawa ancestors. This tangible link to one of the planet’s
most ancient cultures merits a formalised level of official recognition and Aboriginal
involvement, far beyond that which currently applies. Land justice is central to
reconciliation.
Your intention to expand 4WD access across the takayna Aboriginal cultural landscape
is entirely inconsistent with a good faith attempt to progress reconciliation.
It will be impossible for you to move beyond statements of intent, whilst the Government
you lead continues to impose one culture over another, remains deaf to the wishes of
the Aboriginal community and pushes for increased vehicle access across a sacred
land.

 In the interests of reconciliation, unity, equality and respect, we urge you to withdraw
your plan to expand 4WD access on the takayna coast. In its place, take steps to
properly protect this landscape through collaboration, cooperation and land justice.
By doing so, you will create a platform of trust and credibility upon which to build the
reconciliation all Tasmanians want you to achieve.
Yours sincerely,

Pete Hay

Alison Alexander

Andrew Lohrey

Rachel Edwards

Nick Brodie

Lindsay Tuffin

James Boyce

Kristyn Harman

Rachel Leary

Lyndall Ryan

Jesse Shipway

Chris Champion

Heather Rose

Susie Greenhill

Lucinda Sharp

Don Knowler

Geoff Law AM

Jamie Kirkpatrick AM

Henry Reynolds

James Dryburgh

John Biggs

Bob Brown AM

Katherine Scholes

Rees Campbell

Bert Spinks

Stephenie Cahalan

Ralph Wessman

Clive Tilsley

Amanda Lohrey

Adam Ouston

Hamish Maxwell-Stewart

Scott Millwood

Gina Mercer

Tim Thorne

Rohan Wilson

Rachael Treasure

Sarah Day

Danielle Wood