ADVANCING RECONCILIATION AND ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES' RIGHTS

Present were: Pauline Evatt, Brian McInnes, Elfriede Sangkuhl, Mary and Henry Chan, Cathy Herbert and Norman and Laurel Harris,

What's Happened in 10 years of Reconciliation?

All of the discussion participants were to some extent involved in the events and discussions associated with Reconciliation. A number had signed 'Sorry Books' and several people said that they were pleasantly surprised to discover that there were more people than they expected who regarded the Reconciliation process as positivitely as and as necessary as they did themselves. For example those of us who had been on the Bridge walk for Reconciliation were delighted, surprised and proud to see so many people including many from different ethnic backgrounds.

It seemed from the discussion it was possible that the Prime Minister's inability to say "Sorry" advanced the cause of Reconciliation so that there was more positive affirmation for this process than there might otherwise have been.

Where we were disappointed however was in the watering down of the Mabo Decision so that Native Titile was less secure. Other disappointing events were the passing of Mandatory Sentencing Laws in the Northern Territory and Western Australia and the failure of the Northern Territory test case on Compensation for having been a member of the "Stolen Generation".

One view was expressed that while we and many other non Aboriginal people viewed the moves towards Reconciliation in a positive light the manner in which it has been approached has offended quite a few indigenous Australians because of the unconsciously patronising and paternalistic approach inherent in it. For example, where indigenous Australians have been selected by Government to represent their people these individuals have not necessarily been those whom indigenous people themselves might necessarily have chosen.

We agreed that while attitudes towards indigenous people seem to becoming more positive their legal status has effectively gone back rather than being advanced.

With regard to a 'post-Howard ' government the following suggestions were made:

• An Apology and a Treaties
• Implementation of the recommendations of the Inquiry into Aboriginal deaths in Custody and Bringing them Home Report
• Invite indigenous people to elect their own representative group to tell us what they need and how these needs can be met most effectively (ie a representative indigenous monitoring group). This would be more effective than government appointmented gp, however well intentioned.

What Happens After the Reconciliation Council?

The following strategies were suggested:

• Concerted effort to lobby politicians
• Write on ballot papers
• Use Aboriginal Advisory Group but backed up by others
• Lobby MPs to ensure that Minister for Aboriginal Affairs is in Cabinet and that she/he has only one portfolio.

The Socio-Economic Situation

To improve employment/ basic services we thought that these agencies should be run by Aboriginal people but that they should be properly funded, supported and strengthened.

With regard to housing, again the budget and the running of this should be in the hands of Aboriginal people.

As far as attitudes are concerned we agreed that there certainly needs to be considerable changes in attitudes towards indigenous people and that paternalism is insidious and needs to be guarded against but sometimes changing how things are done first will work. An important factor is how indigenous people perceive themselves and the empowerment which can flow from autonomy.

Strengths & Weaknesses of National Strategy to Overcome Disadvantage:

Weaknesses:

• Indigenous people should be able to express their own aspirations, not have them defined by others
• Need to encourage indigenous people to speak their own languages
• Funding should be arranged so that programs become self supporting

• Need to ensure that non indigenous populations are not neglected (could lead to greater resentment)
• Need ongoing education for all community members as well as adequate funding
• Families and individuals need to take more responsibility
• Must be adequately resourced
• Economic independence needs to underpin everything. Communities need to be able to decide what they need.
• Rights need to be associated with responsibilities

• Land rights for indigenous people need to be strengthened but there is a basic need for dialogue between land owners and indigenous people. (Some examples of this happening)
• Concerted educational efforts to overcome prejudices on both sides.
• Need community based initiatives to promote mutual understanding and respect eg in Mountains home to two Aboriginal groups but not often acknowledged.
• ALP needs to be more active in promoting understanding of indigenous people
• Social change takes time but there is an "inevitability of gradualness"
• Need to get away from the idea of "victims and perpetrators"- acknowledge the past and then move on.
• One suggestion was that in some ways it's better to bring in legislation and then attitude change follows after
• Aboriginal women need to be able tocome forward more - need for attitude change to make this possible

• What about recognising traditional aboriginal law? How might this affect general laws?
• Theoretically all Australian citizens have the same basic rights but in practice this doesn't always work. Relevant Treaties might improve this situation. Would also need more community attitude change
• A more enlightened Government would legislate to strengthen rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders