The Governor of Queensland, HE Ms Quentin Bryce AC
in partnership with The Global Foundation
presents
Roundtable discussion on
‘Partnerships for Indigenous Success’
Wednesday 28 May 2008
10.00am – 2.00pm
Government House, Brisbane

Australia Unlimited 2008:  A fair and successful society

Position Paper prepared by Lt Gen John Sanderson AC, Chairman of the Advisory Council of The Global Foundation

Changing the Dialogue - A New Paradigm for Indigenous Engagement

There are many practical reasons why Australia needs to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in the national economy. Apart from the fact that massive and deep seated unemployment within communities imposes a cost of multiple billions of dollars on the national purse, we need the help and creativity of indigenous people with their knowledge of the environment of this ancient continent to help find new pathways into the future.

Much greater than this economic imperative however, is the erosion of the moral authority of a nation that prides itself on its sense of fairness and equality of opportunity. This is a matter of national power in a rapidly changing and globalised world. Australia can ill afford to be found wanting in the way in which it is seen to include or exclude its traditional people within its national framework.

In 2007 the citizen-led and citizen-driven The Global Foundation affirmed indigenous participation as a national priority at its Australia Unlimited Roundtable, attended by industry leaders and representatives from both sides of politics. Overcoming economic and social disparity between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians was seen to be a key component of a successful national strategy.

Fortunately, it seems there is a new mood in the nation to reinforce the findings of this strategic discussion – an emerging recognition that enabling indigenous participation in Australia’s economic and social life is central to long term national well-being and prosperity and to our standing in the world.  Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s apology to the Stolen Generation in February this year was a catalyst for a powerful wave of national sentiment that demands a new relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

There are many strands to this demand. While the white paternalism of the past is now outmoded no one doubts the scale of the challenge. It would be easy to be overwhelmed by the stories of indigenous dysfunction, but there are many positive stories of indigenous success, much of it occurring from the ground up, at local and regional level. There is a new wave of industry working in partnership with indigenous communities to secure positive outcomes for all parties and the nation. This is not simply a matter of native title. The idea of a partnership for the future has begun to become a part of the national agenda. As Jenny Macklin noted in her recent Mabo lecture, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are now ‘substantial players and stakeholders in the future development of the nation’.

The roundtable held last week at Government House in Brisbane, to address the subject of indigenous enterprise and young entrepreneurs, is another example of this partnership to harness opportunities for indigenous prosperity and wellbeing. The leadership of the Governor of Queensland in bringing together key players to examine ways of fostering a new generation of indigenous business opportunity and confidence is an example for others to follow.

Alongside these practical initiatives lies the need to empower indigenous people through a new affirmation of national respect for the ancient culture they bring to the totality of Australia’s heritage. This requires a shift from the policy foundation of assimilation to a different paradigm for Australian nation-building where respect and celebration of indigenous culture is fundamental. In recognition of this need I have recently joined with the esteemed indigenous leader, Patrick Dodson to convene a strategic conversation engaging national leaders across a broad cross section of cultures and responsibilities. We are enlisting the help of experienced international and national experts to facilitate an Australian dialogue aimed at changing the philosophical framework of engagement in a way that will guide the action of government, corporate and civil society to halt the annihilation of indigenous culture.

Patrick and I are both conscious of the potential for this dialogue to be branded as simply another talkfest – fiddling while Rome burns. But there is a clear failure inherent in so-called practical reconciliation when billions of dollars are spent while indigenous dysfunction and incarceration grows. The new national sentiment calls for a new paradigm where practical measures go hand in hand with the symbolism needed to build self esteem and pride in the indigenous cultures that should become the heritage of all Australians.

This is a vital moment in the Australian journey. We need to capitalise on positive outcomes of policy measures and co-operative enterprises that return dignity and economic security to indigenous people and the nation. Building on the momentum and goodwill generated by events like the Governor of Queensland’s roundtable is a part of this.

At the same time Australians need to lodge themselves more firmly in the future of the region in which they live by embracing the landscape of this wonderful continent and the cultures that have been a part of it for thousands of years.  As Al Gore says of global warming, rising to the challenge is a moral as well as a political, economic and social imperative. All citizens – indigenous and non-indigenous – have a role and responsibility to rise to this challenge.