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In her speech at the launch of the Draft Document for Reconciliation in Sydney on Thursday, Ms Scott said Council hoped the Council's Declaration for Reconciliation will be "recognised or incorporated into significant civic and political events, learned and recited by schoolchildren, and become part of the symbolic and ceremonial life of the nation".
"What I meant by that was that the Declaration should be a simply worded, aspirational and inspirational piece - something which could be recited by schoolchildren as a proud reflection of our nation's hopes and aims," Ms Scott said.
"The Declaration should be something the country is proud of - that could be used in civic ceremonies and at school assemblies.
"Council would never seek to make it compulsory for schoolchildren to recite the Declaration with or without an apology. I am disappointed that some have interpreted that cynically as Council's call for schoolchildren to `apologise'.
"In any case, it is now up to the Australian people to determine what they want in the Document for Reconciliation, and I look forward to hearing their opinions," Ms Scott said.
Ms Scott is not available for interview.
Canberra 4 June 1999
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Chris Ryan 0417 267 110 Marie Ferris 0417 257 911