EVELYN SCOTT

CHAIRPERSON

COUNCIL FOR ABORIGINAL RECONCILIATION

AT THE

CITY OF SALISBURY RECONCILIATION FORUM

SALISBURY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

TUESDAY 30 MAY 2000

Thank you Ladies and gentlemen. It’s a pleasure to be on the premises of a local government that is such a leader in reconciliation. It’s also a pleasure to be, once again, on the country of the Kaurna people, the traditional owners of this land. I would like to acknowledge the living culture of the Kaurna people, and the unique contribution they make to the life of this region.   This is my first official engagement since Corroboree 2000. I am still getting my feet back on the ground.  

The question I’m here to address is "Where to now for reconciliation in Australia?" I believe the events of the weekend in Sydney have set new direction in the journey of reconciliation. On Sunday, hundreds of thousands of Australians surged across the Harbour Bridge. Not deterred by the chilly wind nor by the politics that surrounded the event, these people were there to tell the whole world that the spirit of reconciliation is alive – and strong – in Australian society. Their’s was a magnificent statement, and they were strengthened by many more thousands of people in other centres around the nation. Reports of Corroboree 2000 have been seen, heard and read in many other countries. I believe those reports have added a new dimension to the world’s understanding of the Olympic host city – and the Olympic host nation.

The world is now aware that Australia is in the midst of a nation-defining process of reconciliation between its First Peoples and the rest of our society. One of the people who began the walk across the bridge with me was the President of the Australian Local Government Association, Councillor John Ross, of South Australia. As you might have seen on television, Councillor Ross joined the Premiers and Chief Ministers, the Governor-General, the Prime Minister and other national leaders on the stage the day before when the national documents for reconciliation were presented to the nation.   His presence recognised the importance the Council places on the work of local government in the process of reconciliation.   Local government shows leadership in local communities and it is in communities where reconciliation takes root. Local government is also a major service deliverer.   As part of Corroboree 2000, I had the honour to receive from Councillor Ross a framed statement of commitment from Local Government. I understand that this statement was adopted by the executive of the Australian Local Government Association in February this year and is now being adopted and supported by local councils throughout Australia.   The four-point commitment will continue to strengthen the many wonderful and far-reaching initiatives being undertaken by Councils.   On a related note, I would like to thank Salisbury Council for all its efforts for reconciliation over the last six to seven years. I pay tribute also to your former Mayor, David Plumridge, who, in his term as President of ALGA, did so much to emphasis the role of local councils in advancing national reconciliation. During his term, two series of grants – funded by the Federal Government – helped to engage many local councils in reconciliation efforts. A positive offshoot was the booklet Celebrating Community about best practice which showed many ways for other councils to involve Indigenous people in their activities and to pave the way for real reconciliation.

Now let me turn to some of the ramifications of Corroboree 2000. Council’s national documents of reconciliation bring together the results of a decade of work.   The final proposals include two documents. The first, Corroboree 2000: Towards Reconciliation, includes the "Australian Declaration towards Reconciliation" a symbolic statement which the council hopes all Australians will support.   The second A Roadmap for Reconciliation sets out concise versions of four strategies to advance reconciliation, including actions to improve the lives of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders.   These two documents are a call to action. The Council has laboured long and hard over them. Now they are squarely in the public domain. It is up to governments and the Australian people to make their responses and their decisions.   Key elements of the documents include:  

An acknowledgment of the truth of our shared history. This requires a range of educational initiatives in the areas of formal school, the training of professionals and in raising community awareness. 

Greater government accountability. Governments provide most essential services, yet serious disadvantage remains. All service providers must be held accountable through the setting of measurable targets and the public reporting of performance. 

A legislative process to deal with unfinished business. The proposed framework legislation allows for negotiated outcomes on matters such as rights, self-determination, traditional law and constitutional reform. 

The establishment of a representative national body called Reconciliation Australia to help keep the reconciliation process going.  The Roadmap demonstrates clearly that reconciliation depends on us, as a nation, addressing the important outstanding issues. Such issues include the need for substantial improvements in health, education and employment statistics, a reduction in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody, recognition of the place of customary law, the recognition of Indigenous rights, and the offer of a national apology in respect of the Stolen Generations.   The arguments for an apology must surely be clear to this audience.  

One of the most touching moments of the People’s Walk on Sunday was the clapping and cheering of thousands of people when the word "Sorry" appeared in the sky. I have just heard that the skywriting was organised by a group of Sydney residents.   Ladies and Gentlemen, the Roadmap for Reconciliation is a clear pointer for achieving reconciliation. It recommends essential actions across the broad range of government responsibilities local, State/Territorty and Federal. I commend it to you.  

The Council will present a final report to Parliament later this year. The Parliament will decide whether next year’s celebrations of the Centenary of Federation can include a genuine, uplifting celebration of our progress towards reconciliation. Whether or not our national leadership grasps this wonderful opportunity, the people’s journey towards genuine reconciliation will continue. I accepted the invitation to speak today long before Corroboree 2000, acknowledging the fact the City of Salisbury is such an excellent example of local co-operation and commitment. I wanted to share with you some of the excitement of recent events. The City of Salisbury and the Northern Metropolitan Aboriginal Council are leading from the front in this community. This city hosted the start of the Journey of Healing in South Australia. Last year the City and the Aboriginal Council signed a partnership agreement that’s certain to produce many good outcomes in terms of cross-cultural understanding as well as practical solutions to local problems. The City brings many thousands of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people together through events such as the Aboriginal Sports and Reconciliation Carnival. This is reconciliation on the ground. Initiatives like these add structure and weight to the great People’s Movement for Reconciliation. What you are doing here is directly linked to the huge statement of commitment we saw from the people in Sydney and around the country on Sunday. Please keep up your good work.

Thank you.

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