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I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we’re meeting today. I acknowledge the richness of the culture that prospered here in the past and also the strength of the culture that continues to enrich Australians in the 21st century. However I must also acknowledge the frustration of looking at the last 30 years of Indigenous policy in this country and not seeing results anywhere near good enough to show for it. Life for too many of our first Australians continues to be unhealthy, unhappy, violent and short.
Surely we can all agree on one thing. For First Australians, this can not be as good as it gets, it cannot be the best we can do. We can, and we must, do better.
For the Australian government, states and territories, the public service around Australia, the private sector, the community generally and First Australians themselves, things have to change. The goodwill at different levels of government and across party lines is such as I have never seen before.
We have an extraordinary opportunity for change. To grasp that opportunity we must be prepared to tell it like it is and we cannot accept lower standards for First Australians than we do for other Australians. This rare opportunity has to be seized. We have to be sure footed. We need to face reality. Indeed, a reality check is nearly always more effective and much, much fairer than half-baked promises.
As they do with other Australians, all governments have to accept their proper responsibilities for First Australians. Government departments have to deliver. The private sector needs opportunities to play a part. Equally, Indigenous people have to accept responsibility and play their part.