There are many reasons for reconciliation. To ease some of the pain of past injustices, to overcome racial tension, to recognise the rights of indigenous people to participate in the decisions made that affect them, to preserve and encourage Aboriginal culture, to demonstrate that non-indigenous Australians are aware and sorry for the hurt caused by displacement.

Most importantly, it would signal a new way forward.

Following a unanimous vote of Federal Parliament, The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation was created in 1992 to begin an official process of reconciliation between indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians. The Council has a formal life span of 9 years.

Its vision is "A united Australia which respects this land of ours; values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage; and provides justice and equity for all."

That most Australians support reconciliation does not in itself bring change. For a start, the term is open to many interpretations - from the vague desire for everyone to get along, to a ratifying treaty. More importantly, this country needs strong leadership to bring together the disparate parties, opinions and experiences and effect an open, mature, and educated reconciliation process.

Not only is that leadership lacking, but Federal Government policy in areas such as land rights, and the current Prime Ministers refusal to apologise, has often fostered division and done little to encourage reconciliation.

When the term of the statutory council ends on January 1 2001, will we have a nation that knowingly continues its hurtful behaviour because reconciliation is too complex and difficult a process, or will we be a nation that has found the moral courage and the determination to acknowledge the past and work together for the future?
Olympics show a treaty is needed says ATSIC

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