Reconciliation between Australia's Indigenous peoples and all other Australians is about building bridges. It is about respecting our differences. It is about giving everybody a fair go. It is about building on the strengths of common ground.

We believe that reconciliation will be achieved when Australians, in all our diversity, commit to make reconciliation a living reality in our communities, workplaces and organisations.

We acknowledge that many wrongs and injustices suffered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the past continue today, flowing from their dispossession and dispersal from traditional lands.

Our nation has taken many steps along the road to reconciliation. The 1967 Referendum, which was overwhelmingly supported, led to a landmark amendment to our Constitution. The High Court's Mabo decision in 1992 finally overturned the myth of terra nullius. The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation was established nine years ago by a unanimous vote of the Commonwealth Parliament. Since that time there have been many achievements by communities, sectors, organisations and individuals.

While honouring these achievements, we also recognise that much remains to be done towards the goal of true reconciliation.

The Council's work has focused on ways to bring the nation together. Through extensive consultations the Council found that Australians believe reconciliation would be advanced by documents of reconciliation. Reconciliation is now on the national agenda.

The Council believes that its documents for reconciliation must address a wide range of issues and truths. Some of these will be common ground for many Australians; on others there are genuine differences of opinion. The Council had to grapple with issues both widely agreed and controversial in determining its final documents.

We celebrate our common commitment to an ongoing reconciliation process and equality of opportunity for all Australians. However, there are many paths to reconciliation.

Things remain to be done - the "unfinished business" of reconciliation. Dealing with this unfinished business requires goodwill, continuing dialogue and a shared vision for our future. We must have the courage to talk about difficult issues, such as Aboriginal deaths in custody and the stolen generations.

In the spirit of reconciliation, the Council presents this Australian Declaration Towards Reconciliation.