The Canberra Times Letters to the editor Reconciliation Place allows for diverse views
Friday, 14 December 2001 IN THE interests of accuracy, I must respond to recent articles in the media concerning consultation on Reconciliation Place which is being constructed in the national capital (CT, November 30 and December 1, p.C7). People will have different views about reconciliation and will believe in different ways forward. To allow for these differing views, Reconciliation Place will provide some artistic impressions about important issues and events. People will be able to read into the designs what they feel is appropriate. The Government believes that to incorporate the specific views of a particular group would only serve to exclude others and would close off some of the arguments. The Federal Government has made it clear from the outset that Reconciliation Place is not a memorial. There can be no comparison between the design and development of Reconciliation Place and memorials on Anzac Parade in Canberra. Memorials on the parade commemorate those who died as well as those who have served in various theatres of war or in military service. The initial phase of Reconciliation Place will include five artworks representing themes of the 1967 referendum, native title, strength, service and sacrifice, and Ngunawal land as well as separation. A sixth artwork will represent leadership. There is no claim that these initial artworks tell an entire narrative about their themes, and many more artworks will be added over time. The design for Reconciliation Place came from a nation-wide competition and in consultation with a steering committee of a broad cross-section of indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Dr Evelyn Scott and Mr Ian Spicer jointly chaired the committee. The Government remains committed to Reconciliation Place as an inclusive and positive step along the important path towards reconciliation. PHILIP RUDDOCK Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Reconciliation --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------------------------------------------- RecOzNet2 has a page @ http://www.green.net.au/recoznet2 and is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/recoznet2%40paradigm4.com.au/ until 11 March, 2001 and Recoznettwo is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/recoznettwo%40green.net.au/ from that date. This posting is provided to the individual members of this group without permission from the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship and research under the "fair use" provisions of the Federal copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner, except for "fair use."
