Federal Election 2004

Yes. On the basis of need [Govt.’s emphasis]. A key element of the Govt’s 2001 election commitment was to improve the access of Indigenous Australians to mainstream programs and services at both State and Territory and Commonwealth levels, particularly in urban and regional centres.

[Note: The recent Social Justice Report 2003 found that the Howard Government's 'practical' reconciliation policies have made little impact on Indigenous disadvantage]

Committed to redressing discrimination and inequality across all aspects of Australian society.

Indigenous people require, and are entitled to, culturally appropriate and fully resourced health facilities, housing, training and education as each community itself determines.

No. The Govt. states that a Parliamentary Committee ‘majority’ report in June 2000 “concluded that the amended Act is consistent with Australia’s international obligations”.

[Note: the report’s authors were all Government members. The non-Government members’ report disagreed. Criticism of the amended Act by HREOC and the UN remains.]

Recognise Indigenous Australians’ fundamental rights and entitlements as the original owners of this land.
Currently scrutinising the native title system through the Senate Estimates process and an inquiry into operation of Native Title Representative Bodies.

Education for all Australians about the significance and value of native title is essential to realising the benefits of native title for all Australians. Labor will implement substantial public education about Indigenous history, land claims and native title.

The Democrats support a native title regime that more effectively meets Indigenous aspirations for land justice and sustainable economic and social development.

The Australian legal system should be modified to recognise and protect those aspects of Indigenous law and custom that will enhance the delivery of justice to Indigenous Australians.

The next Federal Government must come back to the negotiating table on Native Title, to make the process more effective and efficient.

Will work with Indigenous peoples to effect changes to the Native Title Act 1993 in accordance with customary relationships between Indigenous people and the land, established international law and the recommendations of the United Nations.

Recognise and accept the right of Indigenous people to retain, and benefit financially from, their intellectual property rights to traditional knowledge and the biodiversity of their own lands and waters.

Reject the Native Title Amendment Act 1998 and recognise inalienable Aboriginal Title, which empowers peoples who have been denied their country and enables them to determine their own future, both culturally and economically.

A Federal Labor Government will work cooperatively with the States on the matter of stolen wages.

Labor welcomes the recent formation of a panel by the NSW Labor Government to establish a regime to deal with claims for stolen wages.

The Govt. has not amended Commonwealth Indigenous heritage legislation after seven years in office.

However, the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Bill is soon to be reintroduced into Parliament, providing for Indigenous people to seek protection of their heritage as a ‘last resort’ option where they believe that State/Territory regimes have failed to protect it.

Labor supports a strong and effective regime for the protection of Indigenous heritage.

Full details of Indigenous policy will be released during the election campaign.

Will work with Indigenous communities to remove from relevant legislation provisions that provide for artefacts to be legally destroyed.

Will put the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Fund into the hands of Indigenous communities with assistance to ensure effective management and accountability to Indigenous people.