The defeat of the proposed Preamble to the Constitution in yesterday’s Referendum makes the need for a national document of reconciliation even more important, Chairperson Evelyn Scott said today.
"As the nation faces the defeat of both the republic and the preamble, we should resolve that we will celebrate the centenary of our Federation in just over a year with a forward-looking commitment to reconciliation," Ms Scott said.
Ms Scott said that she did not interpret the people’s vote against the preamble as a rejection of the need for positive statements about the values which bind Australians together. "Still less do I take it as a vote against recognition and acknowledgment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, or against reconciliation," she said.
"The overwhelming majority of Australians support reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider community, and all the evidence suggests that a majority would like to see reconciliation expressed in some form of document, among other things," Ms Scott said.
"Australians still have the chance to embrace a national document of reconciliation," Ms Scott said, "and I take this opportunity to remind all Australians that the Council is seeking their views about its Draft Document for Reconciliation which has been widely circulated and is currently being discussed at meetings nationwide."
Ms Scott noted that the proposed preamble sought to state several key values which united Australians, including:
honouring Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, the nation’s first people, for their deep kinship with their lands and for their ancient and continuing cultures which enrich the life of our country.
"While I and other Indigenous people supported these words as a significant step forward, others wanted a stronger statement, as I myself would have preferred. Indigenous people also wanted to be consulted about the wording, and I guess many voters may have felt the same about the preamble overall," she said.
"I’m not sure where the nation now goes in regard to a preamble, but it does have a second chance regarding a clear statement of our commitment to reconciliation, and our determination to implement that commitment and make a difference," she said.
Ms Scott said the Council’s consultation process over the last five months has been a positive way of getting people informed and involved in an important issue.
"We have already received thousands of responses, overwhelmingly constructive in their comments and suggestions. I hope and expect that we will receive many more, and the Council will take account of all the feedback when it draws up its final proposals about a document," she said.
"As the consultation process draws to a close, I urge everyone to look at our draft and forward their views, if they have not already done so," Ms Scott said.
"I hope that this process will enable us to develop a reconciliation document which will win broad support next year, as our nation approaches the Federation centenary in 2001," she said.
CAIRNS 7 NOVEMBER 1999