Page 25 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 13 February 2018
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Since becoming Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, I have spoken with and listened to as many community members as I can. I have been to community events and sat down with community leaders. One thing has become increasingly clear to me: no matter our intellectual understanding and acceptance of the impact of intergenerational trauma, of the depths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander connection to country, of so many community members’ legitimate lack of trust in institutions and government, it is almost impossible for us to fully comprehend these things in our hearts.
It is immensely challenging to acknowledge and truly understand that there is not an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander family in the country left unaffected by the policy of forced removals. To me, this is one of the most shocking findings of the Bringing Them Home report and the work of the Healing Foundation, and it speaks in a profound way to why we must seek solutions led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
As we all know, the closing the gap reporting process began 10 years ago and remains a priority for all Australian governments. The latest report tabled by the Prime Minister yesterday showed that three of the seven national targets are now on track—a significant improvement on last year’s report. But four targets will expire this year, and there have been consistent calls for new and additional targets to be included. This is, therefore, the ideal time for a refresh that will include working differently and more effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, organisations and communities.
Last week a special gathering of first ministers and prominent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians was held to provide an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander view on policy priorities and areas of focus for the Australian government and an opportunity to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in decision making. Representatives from the ACT included Ms Jo Chivers, Deputy Chair of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body; Professor Tom Calma, Chancellor of the University of Canberra; Mr Dion Devow, ACT Australian of the Year for 2018; Ms Julie Tongs, CEO of Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service; Mr Bill Collins, Chair of the Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation; and Ms Roslyn Brown, Co-chair of the United Ngunnawal Elders Council. I want to acknowledge these outstanding ACT community leaders and thank them for their willingness to share their expertise and passion to develop informed, responsive policy that puts the needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community first.
Community consultation on the closing the gap refresh will also take place in the ACT in March, and I encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans to have their say. The national closing the gap refresh will also tie in with the renewal of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agreement between the ACT government and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body. We have made progress in the territory, but significant work is needed to achieve more equitable outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and particularly for families who continue to experience the intergenerational effects of past removals and dislocation from family and country.
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