A sad reflection

The prime minister promised in 1998 to commit himself “very genuinely to the cause of true reconciliation with the Aboriginal people of Australia by the centenary of federation”; to meet Indigenous Australians “more than half-way” in the reconciliation process; and, last year, said he understood the need for practical and symbolic actions.

Unfortunately for Indigenous Australians and for the whole community, whose support for reconciliation remains, these promises have proved hollow.

As difficult as the road ahead looks, it is incumbent on Indigenous leadership to maintain their rage and continue to adopt the mantra of self-determination as we work our way through one of the worse periods of conservative rule this country has experienced. We, and only we, will be able to devise a workable pathway forward and then include our non-Indigenous supporters in our pursuit of practicable goals of equality and justice.

Most important we should learn from the atrocious track record of this mean-spirited and uncaring government’s handling of Indigenous affairs. And to always remember Edmund Burke’s famous saying:

“He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves, and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.”