Friday, 12th May 2000

No Reconciliation Without Negotiation

Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) today expressed strong concerns over the content of the Declaration Towards Reconciliation and the "Roadmap", to be launched in Sydney at the Corroboree 2000 event on the 27th May, 2000.

These documents fail to highlight the essential first step in achieving reconciliation: direct negotiations leading to a comprehensive and binding agreement between the Commonwealth and Indigenous Australians to underpin Reconciliation.

"It is not possible for the different perspectives and aspirations of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to be worked into a reconciled whole before the terms on which we seek to live side by side have been negotiated", said ANTaR National Coordinator, David Cooper.

The call for direct negotiations follows ANTaR's public distribution of a letter to Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Chair, Evelyn Scott, calling for the Document of Reconciliation to be "more than a symbolic gesture".

ANTaR has received thousands of signatures to the letter from concerned Australians, and has also appealed in writing to Council members in the lead-up to the finalising of the Document.

ANTaR welcomes the Council's strengthening of the Document (despite the Prime Minister's attempt to water down key elements such as an apology, recognition of customary law and self-determination). However, ANTaR remains concerned that the launch of the Document will fail to communicate the key element of what is actually required to bring about a genuine reconciliation.

"The establishment of a formal process of direct negotiations will be the practical expression of a political commitment to finding lasting solutions," said Mr Cooper. "It will require Government to rise above party politics and to commit to a bipartisan process.

"Such a process will seek to achieve recognition of Indigenous rights in the laws and Constitution of Australia, for all time to come.

"And there could be no stronger symbolic boost to Reconciliation than to see, after 212 years, Australia finally joining other Commonwealth countries in addressing our own country's failure to negotiate a treaty with our Indigenous peoples."

For interviews, please contact: David Cooper 02 9555 6138 or 0418 486 310