FRIDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2004

SYDNEY'S 'SEA OF HANDS' SHOWS THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

As the Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples draws to a close, the situation for Indigenous peoples in Australia remains desperate, prominent Indigenous leaders said in Sydney today.

"Today's massive display of 50,000 hands in the Sea of Hands in Hyde Park symbolises the determination to continue the people's movement for reconciliation and social justice for Indigenous Australians.

"It coincides with Michael Long's historic walk from Melbourne to Canberra to raise with the Prime Minister the appalling death and sickness rates of Indigenous Australians.

"Michael is also seeking the restoration of a voice for Indigenous communities in controlling their own futures.

"This Government has failed to listen to Indigenous people and continues its failed top-down approach in dealing with us.

"Its eight and a half years of 'practical reconciliation' has failed to deliver any improvement in Indigenous peoples lives yet the policy is being extended by its regressive welfare reforms.

"These reforms will take our people back to the ration days.

"We call on the Government to engage constructively with Indigenous people and to listen to non-Indigenous Australians who also want this situation to change.

"We also invite John Howard down to Hyde Park to visit the Sea of Hands and to sign his name on a hand to demonstrate his commitment to Reconciliation”.

Linda Burney MLA
Senator Aden Ridgeway
Olga Havnen
Larissa Behrendt
(NSW Members of ANTaR’s Indigenous Reference Group)