Walk the Talk to reconciliation

Queenslanders will have multiple opportunities during reconciliation week to acknowledge and celebrate Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, and to assess the progress made.

Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs Glen Elmes said that Sorry Day tomorrow (26 May) marking the beginning of the Week and Mabo Day on 3 June were opportunities for Queenslanders to stop and reflect on the place of Indigenous people as part of Queensland society.

“We are committed to improved outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders through better education, employment, sustainable business enterprise and land tenure reform to provide better options for home ownership,” Mr Elmes said.

“We want to see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the same level of participation in the Queensland economy as non-Indigenous people – in workforce participation, employment, careers and business ownership.

“It’s part of our strong plan for a brighter future in Queensland.

“We can do better with the support we provide to Indigenous Queenslanders, but doing better doesn’t mean just putting more money into the same old programs, which the previous Government made the mistake of doing.

“It means targeting funding to outcomes like jobs, home ownership and, ultimately, individual and community pride.”

Mr Elmes said these observance days provided a checkpoint for the community and government to assess how far we’ve come and how much further there was to go.

“National Sorry Day was first observed in 1998, in recognition of those who survived the past government policies that sanctioned the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families,” Mr Elmes said.

“It is a day for Australians to remember and honour the Stolen Generations and to reflect on a traumatic part of our nation’s history.

“National Reconciliation Week from 27 May to 3 June highlights the 1967 referendum, which recognised Indigenous Australians in the Census and gave them the right to vote.

“The theme for Reconciliation Week - Let’s Walk the Talk – is an indication of our collective national wish for reconciliation and highlights the need for a proactive approach.

“I want Queenslanders to take a hands-on approach to reconciliation, to put past conversations into action and walk together.

“The final day of Reconciliation Week is Mabo Day on 3 June which highlights the landmark 1992 High Court Mabo decision and the work of Eddie Koiki Mabo, whose campaign for land rightslaid important foundations for present day Native Title.

“We commemorate these important dates as a tribute to the history of our Indigenous Queenslanders, and to build a new understanding of our national identity.”

[ENDS] 25 May 2014

Media Contact: Peter McCarthy 0408 835 548