PRIME MINISTER7/ 9
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING MP
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
The first International Day of Indigenous People is a time for all Australians to
reflect on the position of indigenous people in our society on past
injustices, on recent achievements, and on our hopes for a better future
together. Our goal is to encourage Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples to participate fully in the life of the nation while maintaining their own
unique cultures and identities.
In my speech at Redfern in December 1992, I acknowledged the many
injustices of the past 200 years. As we have begun to recognise and
acknowledge these injustices, so have we begun to redress them.
The Native Title Act of 1993 was a watershed for the nation. It enshrined in
law the rights of native title newly recognised by the High Court in its Mabo
judgment, and provided mechanisms to allow those rights to be determined.
The Government also established a Land Fund to make it possible for the
many indigenous people unable to prove native title to buy land. This Fund
will provide nearly $ 1.5 billion over 10 years and will give many dispossessed
indigenous people a real base and a stake in the nation's future.
The Government is examining further social justice measures for indigenous
peoples, as the third stage of our response to the High Court's Mabo
judgment. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across the
country have been consulted on how best the Government can ensure equity
for indigenous people within the structures and institutions of our society.
The Commonwealth Government is acutely aware of the disadvantage
indigenous peoples suffer.
The poor health of many indigenous Australians compared with the total
population causes particular concern. Over the last 12 years, in a bid to
improve the general social conditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people, we have taken steady and consistent budgetary and administrative
action which has lead to lasting improvements in employment, housing and
education. Nevertheless, we recognise the need for further improvements in these
areas, and especially in the health of indigenous people, to redress the
disadvantages still suffered by indigenous Australians.
Earlier policies of child removal have been tragic for countless indigenous
families. The Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs and the
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission are launching a National
Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children
so that we may know the full implications of these distressing past policies
and be able to consider ways to deal with the often very sad outcomes.
Alongside these specific policy initiatives, the nation has embarked on a
process of reconciliation between indigenous Australians and the wider
community. We must not fail in the aim of achieving a lasting reconciliation
by the centenary of Federation in 2001. Australia is a successful multicultural
society, and integral to our identity is the position of the first peoples of our
country.
The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation has adopted as its vision:
A united Australia which respects this land of ours; values the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander heritage; and provides justice and equity for all.
This vision is in tune with Australia's national ethos of a fair go for all.
Together we can make this vision a reality.
CANBERRA 9 AUGUST, 1995