Talking with our feet
03.06.2000

THE Corroboree 2000 reconciliation march over the Sydney Harbour Bridge last Sunday which attracted an estimated 250,000 supporters has been analysed in detail by political pundits to glean the real message from ``the people''.
There is argument over the estimates but there was certainly a lot of people there.
Aboriginal people say -- with justification -- it was a ringing endorsement from Australians for the concept of equality of opportunity for all.
Prime Minister John Howard and several of his ministers have played it down, one even saying people just took the opportunity for a nice walk in the sun. Labor has put on the brightest possible spin, interpreting the turnout as a massive rejection of Howard and his ``policies of divisiveness''.
Several observations deserve recounting. By far the majority were middle-aged and younger families and couples.
I was most struck by the comments of one Queenslander -- former Cattlemen's Union executive and now native title consultant Warren McLaughlin, from Monto. He told me it was one of the greatest experiences of his life.
``My wife Sylvia and I stopped halfway across the bridge during the walk, and telephoned each of our children,'' he said. ``We told them we just wished they were there -- and our grandchildren as well -- to witness the event.''
When the crowd spilled into the Darling Harbour precinct, concerts were in full swing, and various speakers in full cry.
Late in the morning, Federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley was interviewed on an open podium by SBS radio. He had former prime minister Bob Hawke in attendance, and the interview was broadcast over loudspeakers.
Within minutes, perhaps a thousand people were gathered around, listening. Beazley did not miss the opportunity, pushing all the right buttons -- promising that his first move in parliament when elected prime minister would be to move a resolution apologising to the stolen generation.
He had a most attentive crowd, but the most amazing thing followed. When he finished to loud applause, he stepped down and was immediately mobbed by people wanting his autograph or to be photographed with him.
It was more the kind of treatment afforded a pop star than a politician. I'm old enough to remember former Labor leader Gough Whitlam being mobbed by the adoring crowds, but I have not seen in the past 25 years anything like the way Beazley was greeted.
Conversely, the Minister responsible for Reconciliation, Phil Ruddock, was a brave but lonely figure. At one stage, while he was being interviewed for the Sunday TV programme on the bridge, onlookers jeered and called out the most distressing and insulting remarks.
Ruddock did not deign to respond, which was probably wise. He was outnumbered by several hundred thousand to one.
Tomorrow, it is Brisbane's -- or Queensland's -- opportunity for people to show how strongly they support the reconciliation of black and white Australia.
Marchers will assemble in Kurilpa Park, South Brisbane, for the walk over the William Jolly bridge, along Skew Street to Roma Street and into King George Square. Festivities begin at 8.30am with the march assembling at 9.30 for a 10.30 start. The organisation put into the day has largely been the effort of the Reconciliation Council, the Brisbane City Council and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs.
The question most commonly asked by people not committed to the cause -- or not convinced of the need -- is how they know when they are ``reconciled''.
ATSIC chairman Geoff Clarke explained his understanding of it to the Corroboree 2000 crowd at the Opera House last Saturday.
He said: ``True reconciliation means recognising we possess distinct rights. They arise from our status as first peoples, our relationships with our territories and waters, and our own systems of law and governance. Our right to self-determination is a core principle. The reconciliation process must lead us into a new era of constitutional consent. No constitutional or other document records our consent to the terms of our relationship with non-indigenous Australians.
``There have been no treaties, no formal settlements, no compacts. There needs to be. There is no mention of Australia's first people in the Constitution. There now needs to be. The few rights we now enjoy remain vulnerable in the absence of constitutional protection.''
WHAT has followed has been ridiculous -- indigenous leaders, in particular Charles Perkins, insisting that there be a ``treaty'' signed. There have also been calls to reserve seats especially for Aboriginal people in parliaments. Those issues are merely confusing people whose concern is reconciliation, and they are allowing detractors such as John Howard all the ammunition they need to scuttle the process.
Put simply, black and white Australia -- and that includes peoples of all ethnic backgrounds -- will be reconciled when everyone enjoys equal access to share in the nation's natural resources, and the equality of opportunity to access those resources.
Howard told the Corroboree 2000 gathering that Aboriginal people were the most disadvantaged people in the country. Therefore, they have to be lifted to the standards enjoyed by all other Australians; and be given the opportunity to genuinely participate in all aspects of Australian life. Then, in equality, reconciliation will have been achieved.
See you at the march!