National Reconciliation Week is an opportunity for all Australians to reflect on our troubled history and how far we’ve progressed down the path of resolving the differences between settler communities and First Nations peoples, says the federal member for Werriwa Anne Stanley.
“There have been signs of progress in the past two decades, but it has been an incremental change going forward and much more still needs to be achieved,” says Ms Stanley.
The 2020 National Reconciliation Week [May 27-June 3] is book ended by two anniversaries important in our nation’s history and progress.
One is the referendum on May 27, 1967, when Australians voted overwhelmingly to amend the Constitution to allow the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and ensure they were counted in the population.
The second is the Mabo decision on June 3, 1992, which ruled that Aboriginal people held native title in the common law before the colonisation of Australia.
This week also marks the 20th anniversary of the final report of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, and the public walks across bridges which attracted hundreds of thousands.
Ms Stanley says that in light of recent events it is fitting that the theme of the 2020 Reconciliation Week is In this Together.
“The recent pandemic has highlighted the resilience of First Nations communities,’’ she said.
“This week is also an opportunity to consider how to make those communities, and our relationships, more resilient as we work towards the recovery of our nation.
“The fulfilment of the hopes embedded in the Uluru Statement from the Heart would go a long way towards reconciliation.
“I will continue to support the principles of the Uluru statement – a voice to parliament enshrined in the constitution, and a Makarrata Commission to examine our history since occupation and supervise a process of agreement-making with Australian governments,” Ms Stanley said.
“I encourage all Australians to use this week to learn more about Reconciliation and the practical steps they can take to realise it in their own way.
“Reconciliation is everyone’s business. We are in this together,” Ms Stanley said.
