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The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma, has responded in an open letter to Prime Minister John Howard's call for a 'new reconciliation'.
Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma's letter to the Prime Minister
I applaud the frankness displayed by the Prime Minister in acknowledging that he has 'struggled' with reconciliation for his entire term in office. It is encouraging that he has made progress on his own personal reconciliation journey and that he has recommitted to treating reconciliation as the national priority that it deserves to be.
In making his comments about a 'new reconciliation' the Prime Minister has signalled his willingness to undertake the reconciliation challenge. This challenge is underpinned by fundamental principles: respect for human rights, mutual respect, good faith and partnership.
I call on the Prime Minister to demonstrate his commitment by ensuring that the actions of his government are consistent with these principles.
As Social Justice Commissioner, through my annual reports I have placed three major challenges before the Australian Parliament that are integral to bringing meaning and content to the commitments of the Prime Minister.
Health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
First, I have called for a targeted campaign to achieve health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within a generation. This is an achievable goal that goes to the heart of the Prime Minister's comments. Much work has already been done to articulate a generational campaign to close the gap in life expectancy for Indigenous Australians. As the Northern Territory intervention has shown, the main barriers to achieving this are a determination to succeed, an ability to work in partnership with Indigenous people, and a preparedness to deliver the necessary resources.
Indigenous participation in the decision-making processes of government
Second, I have called for action to ensure Indigenous participation in the decision-making processes of government. The Prime Minister's aspirations cannot be met without genuinely embracing the challenges facing Indigenous communities on a basis of partnership and mutual respect. This is seriously lacking at present. I sincerely hope that in making these commitments the Prime Minister will use his full authority to lead change in this critical area.
On this issue, I am encouraged by the Prime Minister's comments that in conducting a referendum to recognise Indigenous peoples in the preamble to the constitution he would 'work … in consultation with Indigenous leaders and others on this task'. This demonstrates that the Prime Minister has learnt from his previous attempt at this task—when in the November 1999 referendum over 60 per cent of Australians voted against such a preamble. This previous attempt was done without consultation with Indigenous Australians and the result reflects this.
A human rights framework
Third, I have called for a human rights framework to underpin the activities of government. Respect for human rights is fundamental for reconciliation. It must be applied consistently—whether in showing no tolerance for abuse and violence in communities, or in engaging in a respectful manner with communities in addressing the existing inequalities faced by Indigenous people.
A commitment to achieving reconciliation
The Prime Minister also needs to commit to achieving reconciliation through non-discriminatory means. This will require some changes to those aspects of the Northern Territory emergency response legislation which remove the protections of the Racial Discrimination Act for Indigenous peoples in the Northern Territory. Such measures are not consistent with the Prime Minister's vision for a 'dignified and respectful reconciliation process'.
Like the Prime Minister, I am an optimist about this country. As he stated last night: 'I'm in no doubt that if we continue to get the big things right Australia's best years are still ahead of us.'
I look forward to engaging with the Prime Minister in a respectful dialogue about how we achieve this most important of challenges for Australia—the unfinished business.
Read Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission's 'Statement by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner on the Prime Minister's call for a "new reconciliation"'.
Early Childhood Australia's election agenda
Making a difference for Indigenous young children and their families is central to Early Childhood Australia's 2007 federal election agenda.
Put your hand up for children:
Early Childhood Australia's 2007 federal election agenda – send an e-card to Australia's politicians
Related reading
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