people i know what not to fight for and it is no treaty. we got things going
for the people that are interested in the right stuff for the people so why.
just don't be discourged
>From: "Liam" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: [recoznet2] Fw: [atsic] Reconciliation - where is it going?
>Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2000 21:19:41 +1000
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Webcentral <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Date: Wednesday, August 09, 2000 12:10 PM
>Subject: [atsic] Reconciliation - where is it going?
>
>
> >Reconciliation - where is it going?
> >
> >
> >Speech
> >
> >by
> >
> >Pat Thompson
> >
> >ATSIC Commissioner for Brisbane at Nundah Community Centre
> >
> >12 Station Street Nundah, Qld
> >
> >7.00pm Tuesday 8 August 2000
> >
> >
> >
> >Please join with me in paying our respect to the traditional owners, the
> >Yuggera people, whose country we are meeting on tonight.
> >
> >I also want to acknowledge and pay respect to our elders, both
>Indigenous
> >and non- Indigenous in our communities around this region.
> >
> >And to Bev Hickey and all of you in the Noonga Reconciliation Group, for
> >inviting me here tonight as one of your guests.
> >
> >The first thing I want say you is: thank you
> >
> >Thankyou for everything that you do for Reconciliation. For everything
>you
> >stand for.
> >
> >For every time you stand up for what you believe is right.
> >
> >Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander are greatly encouraged by what
>groups
> >like the Noonga Reconciliation Group are doing.
> >
> >Encouraged by all that you have been doing as local people, since you
>came
> >together in support of Reconciliation back in 1998.
> >
> >Because what you stand for, what you are trying to help us achieve - is a
> >right thing, it is a good thing.
> >
> >Right is on your side. Have no doubt about that.
> >
> >I want you to know that Aboriginal people value beyond words your
>support
> >, your help, and your efforts.
> >
> >It gives us, it gives me personally - great comfort, and hope, to know we
> >are not alone in our struggle.
> >
> >And I think all of us can take strength from the ever growing numbers
>of
> >our fellow Australians - who feel the same as you do.
> >
> >Who are doing the same as you are doing - in hundreds of communities
>just
> >like yours -across this country.
> >
> >Because you are having an impact- you are making a difference.
> >
> >And if you want to know "where Reconciliation is going" - you need look
>no
> >further than around this room.
> >
> >You - are where Reconciliation is going.
> >
> >And there is no doubt in my mind that Reconciliation is heading in the
>right
> >direction.
> >
> >We - you and I - together are where Reconciliation is heading.
> >
> >And we are far from alone on that.
> >
> >You only need to look at a whole succession of events around this country
> >this year.
> >
> >At Corroboree 2000 in Sydney, here in Brisbane a week later, with our
>record
> >march across William Jolly Bridge.
> >
> >In Adelaide and most recently in Hobart , to see that this is the case.
> >
> >All are record turnouts. All have been truly wonderful human experiences
>for
> >almost everyone who took part in them.
> >
> >These are defining moments in this nation's history.
> >
> >When the people march in such numbers, I know which side of history I
>want
> >to be on.
> >
> >Having said that, though, despite the growing popular momentum for
> >Reconciliation, there is still a long way to go to achieve true
> >reconciliation in this country.
> >
> >As many of you know, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation will wind
>up
> >at the end of this year.
> >
> >As far as I am concerned, I think CAR has done an enormous job in helping
> >change for the better - how this nation thinks, feels and understands its
> >own history.
> >
> >And its relationship with the indigenous people of this country.
> >
> >If you think back to where this country was just 10 years ago, and
>consider
> >where we are today - CAR and the whole process of reconciliation - has
> >achieved much.
> >
> >But as the topic for tonight rightly suggests we are not "there" yet. So
> >where do we need to go post -CAR?
> >
> >Well first of all, I think that the whole notion of Reconciliation is now
> >embedded in the national psyche like never before.
> >
> >Yet we will still need another 10-20 years of the sort of education and
> >information, consultation at the community level - that CAR , the ANTARs
>and
> >reconciliation groups, just like yours, and many, many others are doing.
> >
> >So I am concerned that with CAR out of the picture, that this grass roots
> >role and process, and the resources needed to this, will no longer be
>there.
> >
> >That is a major concern in my view. I have some fears that this may
>take
> >us back to where we were decade ago - where there was no grass roots,
> >education and information process in place.
> >
> >But what this will mean, is the increased importance of ANTAR and
> >Reconciliation groups like yours.
> >
> >Having said that though, a substantial part of the answer as to where
> >reconciliation ultimately goes - must lie with Aboriginal and Torres
>Strait
> >Islander people.
> >
> >We have to be able to have a major say in those directions. It is also
> >true that we have and will continue to do so.
> >
> >At the most basic level -what Reconciliation -and all these issues that
>are
> >inextricably tied up in it - are really about - is that we no longer
>want
> >mainstream Australia to make decisions for us - we want to determine our
> >destiny for ourselves.
> >
> >Instead of deciding what is best for us - to ask us. And to listen to
>what
> >we are saying and why. For some of the same basic respect that you all
> >expect, and rightfully so, for your right to be who you are.
> >
> >So, I think the fundamental directions Reconciliation ultimately takes
> >-and needs to head towards now - are pretty clear.
> >
> >And they have been since we enunciated them once again, at Corroboree
>2000
> >-and in the ensuing debate about the treaty.
> >
> >It has been interesting to watch how the mainstream media - and
>others -are
> >responding to and interpreting the actions of the hundreds of
>thousands
> >of people who crossed the Sydney Harbour Bridge at Corroboree 2000 - and
>its
> >meaning.
> >
> >It has been equally fascinating to watch Prime Minister John Howard's
> >reaction. Despite the fact that the marchers literally walked past the
>front
> >door of his official residence on Sydney Harbour.
> >
> >He could not find it within himself to join in.
> >
> >And that despite a prominent series of public statements from Aboriginal
> >leaders leading up to Corroboree - mMany commentators have claimed the
> >popular call for a treaty before, during and after the march - even its
> >inclusion on the Documents of Reconciliation - was an attempt to hijack
>the
> >reconciliation process.
> >
> >Implying this had somehow suddenly materialised from thin air.
> >
> >Nothing could be further from the truth. Because a treaty has never been
>off
> >our agenda.
> >
> >What this shows, I believe, is just how much work still needs to be done
> >-to truly inform the nation about our rights and aspirations - despite
>the
> >amazing amount of shoe leather left on Sydney Harbour Bridge on that
> >historic Sunday in July .
> >
> >But those who take more than a passing interest in Aboriginal Affairs
>-know
> >that the reconciliation process was what we got from former Labor Prime
> >Minister Bob Hawke - in response to our calls for a treaty.
> >
> >That great hope that he raised, and then backed away from.
> >
> >And that was over a decade ago.
> >
> >Its amazing how some of the finest commentators have forgotten some of
>their
> >own history.
> >
> >Negotiation of a treaty have never been off our agenda.
> >
> >This recent history also means that in a way, we are back to where we
>were
> >a decade ago. To the unfinished business of a treaty.
> >
> >But most mainstream political leaders have, up until now, painted it as a
> >dirty word.
> >
> >So it was no surprise to read the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, and his
> >Ministers reject the proposal as -divisive, claiming it would create a
> >nation within a nation.
> >
> >This is the blinkered vision they have employed on our right to self
> >determination - for more than ten years.
> >
> >It probably won't surprise you to recall, that even back in April, 1989,
>Mr
> >Howard, who was then Leader of the Opposition - proclaimed the Hawke
> >Government would not improve "the lot" of Aborigines " - by empty
>symbolic
> >gestures such as treaties."
> >
> >He went on:
> >
> > "I take the opportunity of saying again t -hat if the Government wants
>to
> >divide Australian against Australian, if it wants to create a black
>nation
> >within the Australian nation.
> >
> >"It should go ahead with its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
> >Commission legislation and its treaty.
> >
> >"In the process it will be doing a monumental disservice to the
>Australian
> >community."
> >
> >It is no surprise at all is it?
> >
> >While he may be consistent, there is no question in my mind that the
> >hundreds of thousands of Australians who walked across Sydney Harbour
> >bridge, and around the country, voted with their feet
> >
> >Voted for a new deal for our peoples.
> >
> >Clearly, the informed public debate has moved on.
> >
> >Mr Howard has not.
> >
> >To be fair , I must also say , I believe he has come to accept that ATSIC
> >has helped to considerably "improve the lot" of our constituents over the
> >past decade.
> >
> >He has certainly made it clear to the ATSIC Board in discussions - that
>he
> >is happy to work with us to make crucial improvements in the health
> >education, employment and essential services of our peoples.
> >
> >What he terms "practical" reconciliation.
> >
> >And we are happy to work with him to deliver these improvements. And have
> >said so-publicly and privately.
> >
> >But he also knows, as I do, there is simply not enough money currently
>being
> >allocated to these areas.
> >
> >ATSIC has also made it equally clear to him that we want him to work
>with
> >us to deliver true reconciliation.
> >
> >And at Corroboree 2000 ATSIC called on all Aboriginal and Torres Strait
> >Islander peoples to unify behind our struggle for true reconciliation.
> >
> >This mean recognising we possess distinct rights arising from our status
>as
> >first peoples, our relationships with our territories and waters, and our
> >own systems of law and governance.
> >
> >We called for a new era of informed constitutional consent.
> >
> >Because it must be always be remembered in this debate - that we have
>never
> >given such consent at any stage in our history.
> >
> >I repeat, there have been no treaties, no formal settlements, no
>compacts.
> >We are not mentioned in the constitution
> >
> >But let's make on thing clear.
> >
> >We do not seek this to divide the nation, but to unite it.
> >
> >I think it is quite clear on the question of the treaty and indeed on
>many
> >indigenous issues, this nation already is divided.
> >
> >It is my view -and that of ATSIC - and I must say many other indigenous
> >leaders outside of ATSIC too -
> >
> >That a treaty can unite the nation.
> >
> >Reconciliation is the way we can - the way we already are- starting to
> >change that.
> >
> >Clearly, Prime Minister Howard and his conservative bedfellows are up
>o -
> >is to whip up hysteria over our pursuit of a treaty.
> >
> >In so doing they use the narrowest definition of the word.
> >
> >They claim it is a document signed between two separate nations.
> >
> >They do so to exploit division.
> >
> >As Prime Minister, Mr Howard, should be seeking to resolve the division.
> >
> >Any dictionary will tell him the word treaty can also apply to any
>agreement
> >or compact.
> >
> >The Aboriginal leadership of this country is not seeking to divide the
> >nation.
> >
> >We are seeking to unite it -on just terms - for the first Australians.
> >
> >We are not, as Mr Howard has claimed, seeking a nation within a nation -
>or
> >a separate black state.
> >
> >Nevertheless, Indigenous people will not agree to any document or
>documents
> >of reconciliation - which compromise our assertions of sovereignty.
> >
> >The reason is simple.
> >
> >And the facts of history are clear on this.
> >
> >Governor Phillip arrived in Australia with instructions to settle this
> >country "with the consent" - of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
>Islander
> >peoples.
> >
> >Consent was never given.
> >
> >We never gave up our lands.
> >
> >They were taken from us.
> >
> >This is the black hole in the heart of Australian history.
> >
> >>From the moment the British established a penal colony at Sydney Cove on
>26
> >January 1788, all thinking about indigenous peoples in Australia was
> >dominated by the notion of terra nullius.
> >
> >Where the British became sovereign in a legal desert, without settled
> >inhabitants or settled law.
> >
> >This was despite the fact it had been the practice of European colonial
> >powers in Africa, the Americas, Africa, Asia and New Zealand at the time
>-
> >to seek to negotiate treaties with the indigenous peoples.
> >
> >It was not long, however, before the British settlers had to adjust their
> >ideas about the indigenous peoples.
> >
> >By the end of the nineteenth century, enough was known of the law and
> >governance of Aboriginal tribes - to suggest a society that had
>exercised
> >sovereignty - prior to the arrival of Europeans.
> >
> >Yet it was not until the courageous 1992 Mabo case that the High Court
> >finally rid us of the doctrine of terra nullius .
> >
> >When this country, through its highest court, finally recognised what we
> >have always known - that our indigenous laws and customs are the source
>of
> >our rights.
> >
> >When your system finally said this was true under common law, as well.
> >
> >The Court, however, did not explicitly address the question of original
> >Aboriginal sovereignty.
> >
> >And there remains no constitutional or other document - which records
>the
> >consent of Australia's indigenous peoples - about the terms of our
> >relationship with non-indigenous Australians.
> >
> >This is what we are seeking.
> >
> >Recognition that we possess distinct rights -arising from our status as
> >first peoples, from our relationships with our territories and waters,
>and
> >our own systems of law and governance.
> >
> >In this regard, Australia is well behind developments in other
>countries.
> >
> >There are a range of contemporary agreements negotiated overseas between
> >indigenous peoples and non-indigenous and colonial states.
> >
> >These have been accompanied by parallel recognition of the distinct
>rights
> >indigenous peoples have in international law - through the United
>Nations.
> >
> >In Canada, there is acceptance of the Indigenous right of self
>government.
> >
> >The debate there is squarely focussed upon the character of self
>government.
> >
> >And upon implementation.
> >
> >Not on whether it is an option for Indigenous people.
> >
> >Many Australians are totally unaware that the Inuit in Greenland exercise
> >home-rule,.
> >
> >That the Maori have reserved seats in New Zealand -or that there are
>Sami
> >parliaments in Finland, Norway and Sweden.
> >
> >There is no doubt, Constitutional issues in relation to these matters
>will
> >take time.
> >
> >They will also require an informed nation.
> >
> >Mr Howard is doing himself -and the nation - a massive disservice by
> >seeking to milk the fear and ignorance in the community on these issues.
> >
> >Rather than helping us inform the nation about the true nature of
> >reconciliation.
> >
> >There is a second measure of true reconciliation - "where
>reconciliation
> >is going - and where it needs to go - that I want to canvas with you
> >before finishing.
> >
> >Indigenous representation in parliament.
> >
> >Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now need to take further
>steps
> >forward in both politics and in the wider community.
> >
> >We have the capacity, we have the strength, we actually have a lot of
> >experience and a great deal of skills.
> >
> >But we now need to have greater formal involvement in these processes.
> >
> >More of us should now be looking to step out from behind the scenes and
>into
> >the forefront.
> >
> >It is time there are more of us on local councils and in local
>government.
> >
> >There are some encouraging signs that there are more indigenous people -
> >including some women - in these decision making positions.
> >
> >But it is time we had a good look higher up the scale too.
> >
> >To the mainstream political parties and the parliaments.
> >
> >There is not one indigenous person in the Queensland parliament.
> >
> >In all the parliaments of this country, you can count the number of
> >indigenous people on one hand.
> >
> >It remains a national shame that in the year, 2000, despite 33 years
>since
> >the 1967 referendum, that after 10 years of reconciliation - there is
>only
> >one indigenous person in the national Parliament- Aden Ridgeway in the
> >Senate.
> >
> >And he is only the second we have ever had there.
> >
> >None of us have ever been elected to the House of Representatives.
> >
> >And you don't need any hands to count the number of indigenous women in
> >this county's parliaments. There aren't any.
> >
> >It is now time there is.
> >
> >This is not just a challenge for us indigenous men and women.
> >
> >It is a clear challenge to all our parliaments and all political parties.
> >
> >ATSIC has again put the issue back on the political agenda in this
>country,
> >by calling for indigenous representation in the Federal Parliament.
> >
> >I strongly support that.
> >
> >One of the questions is how that should be done.
> >
> >Well, I have a suggestion that this government, indeed all political
>parties
> >should seriously consider.
> >
> >My suggestion easily fits in with what the Prime Minister and others
>call
> >"practical reconciliation."
> >
> >And it is quite simple.
> >
> >Political parties should go out and select, on merit, talented
>indigenous
> >people for membership.
> >
> >With a view of developing them, training them.
> >
> >As they do for any other talented candidates, in readiness for
> >pre-selection.
> >
> >Again on merit.
> >
> >In line with this, political parties, should now look at adopting the
> >approach the ALP used in the case of Cheryl Kernot.
> >
> >What they did was " headhunting."
> >
> >A process that business, and government departments do to get the right
> >people under active consideration for key positions.
> >
> >There are a number of federal and states seats where there are many
> >indigenous people living. Some where we are more than 40 per cent of the
> >electorate or more.
> >
> >These seats are ideally suited to this sort of preselection process by
>the
> >main political parties.
> >
> >There is already the talent in our communities, in our organisations, the
> >experience, and sheer political nous.
> >
> >It is time that this happened. Not only in the national parliament .
> >
> >But also in the Queensland parliament. And every state parliament.
> >
> >And that 's a pretty good note to end up on.
> >Thank you
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
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