Reconciliation and Social Justice Library
Reconciliation and Social Justice Library
The second category covers those things which the general Australian population requires in order to understand, respect and insist upon the fulfilment of the rights of Indigenous peoples. Ensuring enjoyment of the rights of one section of a society will always be an uphill battle if the principles underlying those rights are not embraced by the majority. Significant and lasting improvement in the lives of Indigenous peoples cannot occur without ongoing political will and political will can only be guaranteed to last if it is explicitly demanded by non-Indigenous Australians.
Non-Indigenous Australia must therefore have a greater understanding of and respect for the rights and realities of Indigenous peoples. This is the work of countless Indigenous and non-Indigenous organisations and individuals, including politicians and public figures, schools, artists, advertising agencies, the tourist industry, the legal profession and the trade union movement. At an administrative level, it falls within the specific responsibilities of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission in general (and specifically the Race Discrimination Commissioner) and State and Territory Anti-Discrimination Commissions. I also have responsibilities in this regard as part of my educational and awareness function.