Key step in historic journey to healing

A COMMITMENT to reconciliation has brought together Aboriginal and nonAboriginal leaders from across the state.

Hundreds of people packed into a shed at Macquarie Point yesterday for the Reconciliation Council of Tasmania launch.

Speakers acknowledged the need to be open about the atrocities of the past, to celebrate the survival of the world’s oldest living culture, and to work towards closing the gap in terms of health, education and employment.

Tasmania is the last state to have a reconciliation council.

Political leaders and leaders from rival Aboriginal organisations shared a stage and a commitment to moving forward.

The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre’s Heather Sculthorpe said the council had a “rocky start” but she was now prepared to support it.

“It’s clear that there is a lot of goodwill in the non-Aboriginal community for change so let’s hope that this new reconciliation council will indeed recognise the principle of Aboriginal self-determination and on that basis the Aboriginal community will be happy to work with them,” Ms Sculthorpe said.

Rodney Dillon, from the Tasmanian Regional Aboriginal Alliance, said there was a need for discussion about sharing resources. He said the first Tasmanians were farmers, property owners and managers of waterways, but many had been locked out.

“Today, we don’t own much of the property and none of the waterways. When resources were taken from our families, our people started to live in poverty.”

Tasmanian Governor Kate Warner said the formation of the council was a significant step forward in the collective development of the state.

“I think we owe it to those who have been before us and those who will follow to make the most of this new opportunity,” she said.

Tasmanian Reconciliation Council convener Bill Lawson said the council was committed to tangible change.

“What’s important is that something really does happen, that we don’t just talk but do.”

Premier Will Hodgman said the council was aimed at being a consultative avenue for further progress on reconciliation “to work together to close the gap” on Aboriginal health, education and employment.

Labor leader Rebecca White said the launch showed hope for the future, while Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said a goal of reconciliation should be a treaty and land handbacks.

At the close of the speeches, Ms Sculthorpe apologised for standing next to the Tasmanian flag — because the Aboriginal flag was on a lower platform. “I think it’s insulting that this flag [Tasmanian] is up here,” she said.