The Hardest Word - Part 2: The Facts
Not so preachy today, just a bunch of links to the facts about current indigenous health and disadvantage:
Summary at wiki of the health and other issues of disadvantage experienced by the Australian indigenous population;
At the Australian Bureau of Statistics, a summary of selected findings from the 2002 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey, and a range of other statistical information available here at the ABS;
Publications available online at the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs;
and finally, the Reconciliation Australia homepage. There's some really good info here, with part of the site specifically dealing with an apology including a FAQ section. From the "sorry" section -
There are a range of opinions in the Indigenous and non-Indigenous community about the apology, some based on fact, some not. We don't all have to agree, but it's important that Australians understand the background and meaning of the apology and its potential to generate better outcomes for all of us.
...and in reference to the beginning of yesterday's post, here's an excerpt from the FAQ -
4. Why should Australians today apologise for something we aren’t responsible for?
Individual Australians are not providing the apology. The apology is being provided by the Australian Government in recognition of policies of past governments. Similarly, the former Australian Government apologised to Vietnam veterans for the policies of previous governments. The current Government is apologising for wrongful policies of governments. No individual Australian is being asked to take personal responsibility for actions of past governments.
Tomorrow, part 3 - the C word, compensation, and maybe a conclusion of sorts considering Australia Day itself.
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Comments
Thanks, I genuinely appreciate the feedback. Yesterday's post felt like I was putting myself out there a little. I guess the policy wonk in me is always wanting to back up personal observations and opinions with (preferably) objective and independent sources of information, so a bunch of links for that one reader who may be interested in looking around further was always on the cards.
...and happy birthday for yesterday too, ya big lug.
Thanks for letting me know about your post. I read the last one as well. I hope Dwayne is doing well where ever he is.
I was delighted by some news yesterday and I felt proud to be an Aussie. This is why.
The Getup! organisers put out a request to its members to list the things they wanted GetUp! to present to parliament as an agenda we want our government to tackle in the year(s) ahead.
The item which made it to number three on the list was: Indigenous rights and living standards.
2008 People's Agenda
That is great news, as the people of Australia really do want true reconciliation.
I would like to say something about Australia Day. I find the date that we as a nation have chosen to celebrate our great country is a problem. I don't believe it is inclusive of our Indigenous brothers and sisters because in reality it is a celebration of the day that white man came to this land and in effect took it from Indigenous Australians. An Indigenous Australian could see the day as Invasion Day. I hope one day in the future a better day could be chosen which incorporates all Australians, especially those in our black communities. To me when we are well on the way to true reconciliation, then a day that celebrates that achievement to me would have more meaning.
We have a great country, lets make it even better by making a genuine effort to help Indigenous Australians achieve the life they are entitled to. It will take effort from all communities, but I know if we work together it can be achieved.