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Putting reconciliation on poll agenda

By EMMA MACDONALD

15 October 2001 - Fifty-eight community and welfare organisations attempted to elevate reconciliation as a major election campaign issue yesterday, calling on all political parties to commit to alleviating extreme indigenous disadvantage.

Launching a statement amid the "Uluru Mound" Sea of Hands exhibition at the National Museum, former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner Mick Dodson said a treaty with Aboriginal people was an essential element of overcoming disadvantage.

"We call on the major political parties to make this a central election commitment and a top priority for the next three years of office," he said.

Australian Council for Social Service president Michael Raper said the coalition of groups had been organised because of the shocking lack of recognition given to indigenous issues by the main parties during the campaign and its lead-up.

"On day one of the campaign it should have been about first people, first problems, first issues," he said.

"Both parties seem to be content to let the issues be swept under the carpet because of their shameful records."

Mr Raper said it was difficult to get indigenous disadvantage on the agenda, but the groups involved had political and moral clout. Signatories included the Australian Medical Association, YWCA,Australian Council for Overseas Aid, Uniting Church, Anglicare and Smith Family.

These groups regarded "the current state of indigenous disadvantage as indefensible a situation which must be urgently addressed," Mr Raper said. They have called for political parties to:

Review their policy approach with an express commitment to overcoming indigenous disadvantage.

Engage in negotiations with indigenous Australians to develop a national framework for overcoming disadvantage (as recommended in the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation's final report).

Enact legislation to put in place a process which will unite all Australians by way of an agreement or treaty (also in the report).

Work alongside indigenous people in developing funding and investment arrangements which reflect the need for development and genuine work and training opportunities for indigenous Australians.

Clip from The Canberra Times

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