2016-02-09
Senator Rachel Siewert has welcomed the launch of a Reconciliation Australia report that lists seven key recommendations aimed at achieving a reconciled, just and equitable Australia.
“It was fantastic to speak at the launch of the Reconciliation Report today; with the Close the Gap report due tomorrow it is great to continue discussions on how we reduce disadvantage and Close the Gap once and for all.
“Paternalistic approaches to address Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander disadvantage remain a concern to the Australian Greens and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community; recommendations by today’s report must be considered when moving to Close the Gap heading forward.
“The report points to the lacklustre implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
“The Declaration sets standards for human rights obligations that include the right to participate in decision making and the right to be consulted prior to providing free and informed consent about laws and policies.
“The report states that these rights were not upheld during the proposed closures of up to 150 remote Aboriginal communities in WA, nor during the introduction of paperless arrests in the Northern Territory. This is simply not good enough.
“I urge the Government to consider the seven recommendations built on five dimensions that map out reconciliation, these include overcoming racism, renewing the focus on Closing the Gap, institutional integrity, unity and historical acceptance”.