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“We desire a future where all Australians enjoy their rights, accept their
responsibilities, and have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
“And so, we pledge ourselves to stop injustice, overcome disadvantage, and
respect that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the right to
self-determination within the life of the nation.
“Our hope is for a united Australia that respects this land of ours; values the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage; and provides justice and equity for all”.
89.
The “Roadmap” comprises the following six main points:
(a)
The Council of Australian Governments agrees to implement and monitor a
national framework whereby all governments and the Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander
Commission work to overcome Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander peoples’ disadvantage
through setting programme performance benchmarks that are measurable, are agreed in
partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander peoples and communities, and are
publicly reported;
(b)
All parliaments and local governments pass formal motions of support for the
Declaration towards Reconciliation and the Roadmap for Reconciliation, enshrine their basic
principles in appropriate legislation, and determine how their key recommendations can best be
implemented in their jurisdictions;
(c)
The Commonwealth Parliament prepares legislation for a referendum which seeks
to: recognize Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander peoples as the first peoples of Australia in a
new preamble to the Constitution; and remove section 25 of the Constitution and introduce a new
section making it unlawful to adversely discriminate against people on the ground of race;
(d)
Recognizing that the formal Reconciliation process over the last decade has
achieved much and has helped bring Australians together, all levels of government,
non-government, business, communities and individuals commit themselves to continuing the
process and sustaining it by:
(i)
Affirming the Declaration towards Reconciliation and translating the
Roadmap for Reconciliation into action;
(ii)
Providing resources for reconciliation activities and involving Aboriginal
and Torres Straits Islander peoples in their work;
(iii)
Undertaking educational and public awareness activities to help
improve understanding and relations between Aboriginal and
Torres Straits Islander peoples and the wider community; and