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Thursday 11 July 2002, Media Release

TREATY TALKS ON THE ROAD TO RECONCILIATION

The Australian people continue to show the Government the way forward in Reconciliation; a Treaty forum will be told tonight.

The forum, Treaty - is it the answer, will be chaired by Senator Aden Ridgeway and speakers include Veronica Graf, Secretary of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC); Phil Glendenning National President of Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) and constitutional law expert, Professor Garth Nettheim from UNSW.

Veronica Graf confirmed that momentum for a treaty is growing in the community.

"The initial round of treaty consultations that have been held by NSWALC and ATSIC have shown us that our people are eager to pursue a Treaty or treaties, and events such as this are also evidence that non-Indigenous Australians haven't forgotten us and we still have their support," she said.

ANTaR National President, Phil Glendenning said community forums like this are growing in number and popularity as local people tire of Government inaction.

"Much treaty talk has already happened within Indigenous communities and ANTaR has distributed many treaty information kits to interested non-indigenous community groups," he said.

"It is our experience that people want to know what has happened so far with the Treaty process and what they can do to take it forward."

Senator Aden Ridgeway, who will MC the evening, praised the forum's organisers, Sutherland Shire Citizens for Native Title and Reconciliation, for showing the way forward in this important area.

"Groups like Sutherland Shire Citizens for Native Title and Reconciliation show the desire for action on Treaty and Reconciliation that we saw demonstrated during the bridge walks in 2000, is still alive," he said.

Treaty - is it the answer? 7pm Thursday 11 July
Monk Theatre, Georges River College, Cnr Hurstville Rd & Oatley Ave, Oatley.