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social justice

Tom Calma, social justice commissioner, speaking at the Close the Gap in indigenous health launch 2007

walking for reconciliation, 75th anniversary sydney harbour bridge walk 2007

call for a treaty, house of commons, westminster, london 1998

Indigenous peoples have 15 - 20 years lower life expectancy than non indigenous Australians, suffer higher rates of infant mortality, have higher unemployment rates and are over-represented in custody and arrest figures. These figures suggest that Governments have not provided the same levels of public service to indigenous people as to other citizens.

Social justice is about indigenous peoples having:

• as people, basic human rights
• as citizens, minimum acceptable standards of pubic services, and
• as indigenous peoples, special rights relating to land, law and customs

reconciliation

The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation was set up in 1991 by unanimous agreement of the Federal Parliament to encourage co-operation and improve harmony between indigenous and non indigenous Australians. It has indigenous and non indigenous members from a range of backgrounds. Two themes underlie its work:

• how history has shaped relationships between indigenous and non indigenous Australians, and
• respect for each other’s cultures.

Reconciliation was originally identified as a key national objective for the centenary of Federation in 2001, with the aim of achieving a formal statement of reconciliation by then.

On 27 May 2000 the Council presented a Declaration for Reconciliation and proposals for future action to the Governor General, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries at Corroboree 2000. On 29 May an estimated 250,000 people marched across Sydney Harbour Bridge to show their support for reconciliation.

constitutional amendment and a treaty

Indigenous people want their status and rights defined and recognised in a lasting way which will not allow State or Federal Governments to backtrack on them. Two possible ways of doing this are:

• amendment of the 1901 Australian Constitution and for
• a Treaty between indigenous peoples and the Australian Government

At present, there is no acknowledgement in the Constitution of the special status and rights of indigenous people. If Australia decided to become a Republic, the Constitution would have to be amended, and this would offer the opportunity for change in other areas.

The idea of a treaty was supported in principle by Prime Minister Bob Hawke in 1989, but is opposed by the present Government under John Howard..

It has been suggested that a treaty might include Aboriginal representation in Parliament, reparation and compensation for cultural dispossession, appropriate use of indigenous customary law and an independent economic base.

reconciliation and social justice news index

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external links

• AIATSIS
  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resourse links
• Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR)
  Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) is a national network supporting the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. ANTaR coordinates a major community education and awareness campaign on native title and reconciliation. There is a close working relationship between ANTAR and indigenous people.
• Australian Reconciliation Party
  The ARP is the result of a grassroots movement of Australians dedicated to promoting reconciliation.
• Action for Aboriginal Rights
• Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation
  The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation promotes understanding of the shared history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider community in Australia and of the dispossession and continuing disadvantage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It encourages measures to improve economic independence and celebrate cultures. It provides leadership in promoting reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider community and would like to see all Australians learn our shared history during their school years.
• Koorinet
  A project of the Koori Centre at the University of Sydney. Hosts a number of other websites, mailing lists, an extensive links directory,
• Kumarangk Legal Defence Fund
  The KLDF has been formed in response to civil suits taken out against a number of people and organisations opposed to the building of the Hindmarsh Island bridge near Adelaide, South Australia.
• Lore of the Land
  Reconciling Spirit and Place in Australia's Story
• Oxfam Australia Advocacy and policy on Indigenous Australia
• Peter Rotumah's Aboriginal Australia
  Numerous forums and chatrooms as well as cultural information
• People's Reconciliation Movement Website This website is designed to highlight stories of the history and ongoing activity of the People's Reconciliation Movement in NSW
• Recoznet2
  This list is a centre for debate, discussion and activism around reconciliation between Australian settlers and First Peoples. Archived here.
  
• Racism. No Way
• Senator Andrew Bartlett's website pages on Self determination for Indigenous Australians
• Yarra Healing
  Promoting the voices of local Indigenous people of Melbourne and its surrounding areas, and the reconciliation movement across Australia.
  

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