Friday 29th November, 2002

(ANTaR Victoria media release)

"TAKE A STAND ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES" ANTaR TELLS POLLIES

ANTaR Victoria challenges all political parties to move beyond broad rhetorical policy statements on Indigenous issues. "Parties who are serious about reconciliation must include specific and measurable undertakings which will be achieved within their four year term of office", said ANTaR - Vic spokesperson Peter Lewis today.

"It is nearly ten years since former Prime Minister Paul Keating's Redfern Speech, when the non-indigenous community was challenged to recognise the truth of our history, imagine itself in the position of the struggle of Indigenous people against racism and colonisation and imagine a just society in this land. When will our political parties take seriously that change and move from words to action?"

"While the Greens and the Democrats have clearly embraced the need for action on reconciliation, the major parties have not provided sufficient leadership. In the case of the Liberal Party and the National Parties there appears to be opposition towards acknowledging Indigenous peoples' rights."

Mr. Lewis singled out the importance of genuine progress in negotiation on Native Title and the need for strong Victorian-specific cultural heritage protection legislation as key short-term Indigenous issues for Victoria. While there have been some welcome improvements in Indigenous affairs in Victoria in the last four years, the Bracks Government has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayers money actively opposing the Yorta Yorta native title claim in direct opposition to a resolution of its own ALP State Conference.

"ANTaR Victoria wants a commitment from the next state government to end its opposition to the Yorta Yorta claim and to work with the Yorta Yorta people and local Indigenous communities to achieve just outcomes. ANTaR also wants the next state government to rescind the amendments to the state's native title legislation introduced by the Kennett Government and to provide legislative protection for Victoria's native title claimants."

ANTaR - Vic believes that the hundreds of thousands of Victorians who walked for reconciliation in December 2000 had expectations far beyond what has been delivered for Indigenous communities thus far. Victorian 'bridge-walkers' need to look to the minor parties for progressive and sophisticated approaches to Indigenous policies, suggested Mr. Lewis.

ANTaR Victoria, along with other community groups is holding a community day in the Treasury Gardens on Sunday December 8 from 1pm called Imagine: Rights Justice and Reconciliation to mark the tenth anniversary of the Redfern Speech.

FOR COMMENT CONTACT Peter Lewis ANTaR Vic Chair- 0417 529 142