16th May 2002

Inquiry needed into reconciliation scandal
Budget confirms government cynicism

Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) today supported calls from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Dr Bill Jonas, and Senator Aden Ridgeway, for a Senate Inquiry into the reconciliation process.

The calls for an inquiry come in response to the failure of the Howard Government to formally respond to the final recommendations of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation despite nearly 18 months having passed since they were delivered. It coincides with the release of the Social Justice Report 2001, the Social Justice Commissioner's annual review of the government's performance.

"The failure of the Government to formally respond to the Council's final report is a scandal", ANTaR National President, Phil Glendenning, said today. "Instead, the Howard Government has thumbed its nose at the fruits of 10 years reconciliation work by substituting it with his own cynical policy of 'practical reconciliation'."

'Practical reconciliation' has been sold on the basis of targeting Indigenous disadvantage as the central focus of Indigenous policy, but the government's motives and actions suggest otherwise.

"Practical reconciliation is a con. It's Howard's way of destroying the reconciliation process by denying the aspirations of Indigenous people and fair-minded Australians for the proper recognition of Indigenous rights and cultures", Mr Glendenning said.

"The government has never been serious about tackling Indigenous disadvantage. This is confirmed by the lack of any new initiatives or spending on Indigenous disadvantage in the 2002 budget", he continued.

"With the government playing such a destructive role, it is essential that there is proper public accountability and scrutiny of the reconciliation process. A Senate Inquiry is an appropriate next step", Mr Glendenning said.

Further information: Phil Glendenning, 0419 013 758; or David Cooper, 02 95556138, 0418 486 310