COUNCIL
STAYS ON TRACK TOWARDS CORROBOREE 2000
Following a special
meeting convened to discuss the events of the past two weeks, the Council
said today that these events had emphasised that true reconciliation
was essential for Australia’s future as a harmonious nation which genuinely
lived out its ethos of a fair go for all.
The Council fully
supported the earlier statement of the Chairperson, Evelyn Scott, and
Deputy Chairperson, Sir Gustav Nossal, that Senator Herron’s submission
to a Senate Committee on the Stolen Generation had greatly harmed reconciliation.
The Council expressed its empathy and support for members of the Stolen
Generation and all Indigenous people who had experienced pain and suffering
since the release of the submission.
In other decisions
the Council:
- reaffirmed its
fervent wish that Corroboree 2000 would be an inclusive, unifying
event which would advance reconciliation.
- re-stated its
strong belief that positive outcomes for reconciliation by the end
of 2000 were more important than ever before to heal the nation’s
wounds and provide a firm foundation to continue the process over
the coming years.
- confirmed that
it would stick to its timetable to finalise its proposals about a
reconciliation document at its meeting at the end of April and re-stated
its commitment that such a document should be a people’s document,
not one simply for governments and leaders.
- further stated
that it was committed to a document which would provide both an honest
appraisal of where the nation is at, an aspirational vision of a reconciled
Australia, and the steps needed to get there.
- announced that
it would release its final document proposals in mid-May.
- appealed to
all supporters of reconciliation to take part in nation-wide events
for Corroboree 2000 and National Reconciliation Week 2000 to
demonstrate the breath and depth of the support of the Australian
people. Council especially appealed for a massive turnout for the
People’s Walk for Reconciliation across the Sydney Harbour Bridge
on Sunday 28 May 2000.
Ms Scott said that,
in carrying through these decisions, the Council was taking account
of the results of all its consultations, including several recent submissions
from prominent Indigenous and other Australians who had urged the Council
to be both principled and realistic in drawing up its final proposals.
CANBERRA, 16
APRIL 2000
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