Reconciliation Place

The federal government's proposals for 'Reconciliation Place', a combined reconciliation memorial and new premises for Reconciliation Australia in Canberra, has been mired in controversy because of inadequate consultation with Indigenous people and concerns about the depiction of the stolen generations.

A main target of criticism is the proposed 'sliver' commemorating the stolen generations. The 'sliver' features images and sounds of children playing happily, and was designed without any consultation with stolen generation members.

In December 2001, a protest was organised by Link Up (NSW) and the National Sorry Day Committee at the Reconciliation Place construction site in Canberra.

Concern has also been expressed that the construction of Reconciliation Place is part of a plan by the government to remove the adjacent (and politically embarassing) Aboriginal Tent Embassy, which has been maintained beside Old Parliament House since 1972.

Social Justice Commissioner, Dr Bill Jonas, warned that in the absence of proper consultation, Reconciliation Place will become a source of further division and alienation.

Despite the ongoing controversy, Reconciliation Place was officially opened on 22 July 2002 by the Prime Minister, John Howard. In order to defuse the concerns of members of the stolen generations, the National Sorry Day Committee and the State Sorry Day Committees have been commissioned by the Federal Government to consult stolen generation people about the commemoration 'sliver'.

Further information:

Stolen generation gets to tell its story - The Age, 3 July 2002
'Reconciliation Place' heading for disater - ANTaR media release, 15 Dec 2001
Media statements from the Journey of Healing Network.
Critics not reconciled as opening draws near - The Canberra Times, 10 June 2002
Reconciliation Australia