Final report of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation

This Appendix provides more information on commitments received by the Council in response to its documents. It is presented in three parts.

Part 1	is the response from the Commonwealth. It includes: A Letter from the Prime Minister A summary of commitments and actions by Commonwealth Agencies
Part 2	is the response from State and Territory Governments.
Part 3	provides a description of the indicative Survey of Commitments and Actions by Institutions, Organisations, Communities and Individuals the Council used to gauge the acceptance of its national documents.

Summary of responses by Commonwealth Ministers to request for information about commitments.

Most Commonwealth Ministers noted that they participate in or intend to participate in programs to increase the numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff in their departments and to provide cross-cultural awareness training for all staff. The Minister for Employment Workplace Relations and Small Business and the Minister for Family and Community Services, in collaboration with ATSIC have undertaken programs to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment. They have made changes to the Job Network and Centrelink, focusing on working with communities to identify and provide local solutions to meet local needs. The same three portfolios are undertaking joint work with business to develop partnerships to create new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples business enterprises. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry reported on the development of a Rural Industry Strategy that aims to increase the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in rural industry.

The Minister for Education Training and Youth Affairs reported that a funding appropriation is currently before Parliament to implement the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy whose primary task is to make educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians similar to the rest of the community. The policy includes measures to set literacy, numeracy and employment targets, involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents in their children's education and involve them in educational decision-making and develop and extend culturally inclusive curricula. He reported on the National Indigenous Literacy and Numeracy Strategy which seeks to lift school retention rates, address health problems that undermine learning, attract and retain good teachers and use transparent measures of success as a basis for accountability for schools and teachers. The Minister also reported on higher education policy that is directed at improving academic performance and retention rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Other portfolios contributing to community and public education include the Communication, Information Technology and the Arts and the Attorney General's. The Department of Communication, Information Technology and the Arts funds the weekly radio programs AWAYE and Speaking Out while the Attorney-General's Department provides a program of community legal education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

The Minister for Health and Aged Care reported that the Commonwealth, States and Territories had coordinated their efforts to develop National Performance Indicators on Health. The Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) and the National Aboriginal Community Health Organisations also reported providing joint annual reporting on service activity. A Memorandum of Understanding between OATSIH and ATSIC provides a further means of collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples about delivery of services. OATSIH also reported a grants program about substance abuse in which 187 of the 200 recipient organisations are controlled or managed by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisations.

The Minister for Family and Community Services reported on their tied grants program with the States and Territories and the Commonwealth/ State Working Group that seeks coordination of services in relation to rental accommodation and assistance with housing loans. The report noted that a key achievement was the development of a National Framework for design, construction and maintenance of suitable housing that achieves safe, healthy and sustainable housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. A regular review process has been developed to ensure the national framework will continue to deliver improved housing.

The Attorney General reported on the support of his department for the National Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee which provides advice and recommendations to the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General and the Ministerial Council of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs on Aboriginal Justice issues. He reported also on funding provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women through the Women's Legal Service Network for dealing with legal education on family law matters, violence against women, discrimination, employment and other areas of law. He reported on work with States and territories to prevent juveniles from entering the criminal justice system, pointing to an agreement signed in July 2000, of particular relevance to the Northern Territory with its mandatory sentencing regime for diversionary programs. The report also stressed the encouragement his portfolio gives to the resolution of native title disputes through Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) and to the increasing numbers of ILUAs registered each month.

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts reported a commitment to maintaining Indigenous broadcasting and to employing Indigenous Liaison Officers to ensure that communication systems were effective for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Minister for Family and Community Services reported a number of new programs aimed at strengthening community and moving beyond welfare dependency. These programs involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations, business and government agencies in pilot programs that last at least 3 years. These programs are initiated in communities or families, with flexible funding arrangements. Any external assistance is provided on the basis that skills will be transferred. Other programs to strengthen families focus on early childhood and effective parenting, with an emphasis on local solutions to local problems.

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts reported a large range of strong programs that support and disseminate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage. Within his portfolio, the Australia Council funds a large range of programs that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in claiming control of and enhancing cultural heritage and developing it through various strands of the Cultural Development Fund. Other portfolio agencies manage a wide range of programs including the Bringing Them Home Oral History Program and an exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander maritime cultural heritage. The Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and Industry, Science and Tourism all reported programs that support and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage. These include celebrations of National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week. The programs of these Ministers present information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures overseas through the Images of Australia Program and at home through the Living in Harmony project and through tourism initiatives.

Indicative Survey of Commitments and Actions by Institutions, Organisations, Communities and Individuals

In August and September 2000 the Council conducted a survey of some 22,000 businesses, community organisations and individuals to gauge the acceptance of its national documents. It was the first contact by the Council for about 50% of those surveyed.

The survey was constructed and analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Responses were also analysed in relation to the following sectors, interest groups and organisations:

BUSINESS - 67 RESPONSES
Included responses made on behalf of commercial enterprises.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT - 189 RESPONSES
Included local, city and shire councils and public libraries.

EDUCATION - 189 RESPONSES
Included schools, colleges, universities and non-government education authorities.

YOUTH ORGANISATIONS - 15 RESPONSES
Included community youth support organisations.

FAITH - 58 RESPONSES
Included church and religious organisations and congregations.

NON-GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY - 38 RESPONSES
Included community welfare and support bodies.

UNION AND PEAK BODY - 33 RESPONSES
Included trade unions, community, business and lobby groups and associations.

INDIGENOUS AND RECONCILIATION - 59 RESPONSES
Included reconciliation support groups, groups supporting native title, Indigenous specific community and support groups and semi-government Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support groups.

ETHNIC - 8 RESPONSES
Included groups and associations based on non-Australian origins and cultures.

MEDIA - 14 RESPONSES
Included mainly regional indigenous, ethnic and community radio stations and newspapers.

INDIVIDUALS - 203 RESPONSES
Included responses not included above or where it was clear that the response was made on behalf of the person responding rather than organisation they claimed to represent. Responses for this category were not qualitatively analysed.

Overall 884 responses were received by the cut-off date for responses of 25 October and the analysis of those responses follows. About a further 200 responses were received after the closing date and these have not been included in the analyses below due to time constraints. Perusal of these responses indicates that their non-inclusion will not materially affect the following analyses.

In all, almost 4% of those surveyed responded. In some of the analyses below, particularly for Question B, the relatively small response sample in some sectors may provide a skewed analysis due to a higher than normal response rate of those displaying greater goodwill to reconciliation.

For Questions A, B and C on the survey, each positive response recorded in a 'tick box' were recorded.

What commitments have you or your organisation made to the reconciliation process before May 2000? (Please tick appropriate boxes).

(1)	Adopted the Council's Vision	[ ]
(2)	Made a local government or other agreement	[ ]
(3)	Developed other plan(s) to address issues in your community	[ ]

TABLE A

Sectors	Question A1	Question A2	Question A3
Business	48%	18%	70%
Local Government	24%	25%	65%
Education	50%	6%	66%
Youth	40%	7%	47%
Faith	62%	10%	57%
NGO / Community	58%	11%	66%
Women	55%	0%	55%
Union / Peak Body	61%	12%	85%
Indigenous / Reconciliation	76%	32%	81%
Ethnic	50%	0%	63%
Media	64%	0%	57%
Individuals	78%	6%	44%

All % are calculated in terms of the total number of responses for each Sector.

Do you or your organisation generally support Council's national reconciliation documents released in May 2000? Please tick appropriate box)

TABLE B

Sectors	Question B
Business	94%
Local Government	88%
Education	98%
Youth	93%
Faith	100%
NGO / Community	100%
Women	82%
Union / Peak Body	100%
Indigenous / Reconciliation	98%
Ethnic	100%
Media	100%
Individuals	93%

All % are calculated in terms of the total number of responses for each Sector.

Less than 5 respondents answered NO. Other than those above indicating a positive response, the remainder (6% overall) left the question blank.

Where a response from an organisation appeared to reflect the views only of the person preparing the response (for example a teacher from a school), the response was treated as an 'individual' response rather than an organisational response.

What commitments have you or your organisation made to Council's reconciliation documents released in May 2000? (Please tick appropriate boxes).

(1)	Adopted the Council's Declaration	[ ]
(2)	Circulated a Pledge Book	[ ]
(3)	Supported all Council's strategies	[ ]
(4)	Supported some of Council's strategies	[ ]
(5)	Committed to other reconciliation action	[ ]

TABLE C

Sectors	Question C1	Question C2	Question C3	Question C4	Question C5
Business	42%	16%	28%	30%	78%
Local Government	24%	84%	23%	29%	58%
Education	38%	16%	30%	31%	72%
Youth	40%	20%	33%	20%	67%
Faith	50%	36%	36%	31%	81%
NGO/Community	42%	21%	34%	42%	79%
Women	36%	36%	36%	18%	73%
Union/Peak Body	55%	21%	39%	33%	82%
Indigenous/ Reconciliation	68%	68%	54%	25%	85%
Ethnic	63%	13%	38%	0%	88%
Media	64%	21%	57%	7%	71%
Individuals	64%	16%	52%	15%	71%

All % are calculated in terms of the total number of responses for each Sector.

The remaining questions on the survey, Questions D, E and F, sought to elicit qualitative responses.

The variety of responses and activities provided in the responses were very broad and varied significantly between sectors and regions and responses from 'Individuals' were very broad yet relatively limited in overall impact. To focus on those issues considered to provide the greatest impact on reconciliation, the analysis was restricted to responses from business, local government, education and other non-individual sectors only.

For Questions D and E, the responses were categorised, in terms of the Council's strategies, by non-individual sectors into those affecting :

Positive responses indicating activity or commitment in the areas outlined above were recorded. Some responses required an interpretation based combined answers for Questions D, E and F.

TABLE D

Category Sectors	Employment & Economic Disadvantage	Collaboration and Consultation	Education & Training	Symbolism and Protocols	Justice, Legal & Rights
Business	31%	57%	61%	33%	16%
Local Government	7%	51%	51%	38%	5%
Education	5%	25%	79%	28%	1%
Youth	13%	53%	73%	27%	7%
Faith	5%	47%	62%	17%	0%
NGO/Community	11%	32%	61%	34%	3%
Women	0%	0%	55%	0%	0%
Union/Peak Body	15%	76%	82%	70%	33%
Indigenous /Reconciliation	14%	59%	78%	59%	17%
Ethnic	0%	38%	63%	38%	0%
Media	21%	43%	64%	57%	0%

All % are calculated in terms of the total number of responses for each Sector.

TABLE E

Category Sectors	Employment & Economic Disadvantage	Collaboration and Consultation	Education & Training	Symbolism and Protocols	Justice, Legal & Rights
Business	36%	67%	67%	42%	21%
Local Government	13%	60%	56%	53%	8%
Education	6%	38%	82%	40%	1%
Youth	20%	60%	73%	47%	7%
Faith	7%	57%	64%	29%	3%
NGO/ Community	13%	50%	58%	45%	8%
Women	0%	9%	55%	18%	0%
Union/Peak Body	18%	82%	82%	76%	33%
Indigenous /Reconciliation	15%	75%	83%	68%	17%
Ethnic	0%	63%	63%	50%	0%
Media	14%	50%	71%	71%	0%

All % are calculated in terms of the total number of responses for each Sector.

From comparing the above two tables, the following analysis of comparative future intentions with regard to reconciliation actions emerge:

TABLES D & E COMPARISONS

Category Sectors	Employment & Economic Disadvantage	Collaboration and Consultation	Education & Training	Symbolism and Protocols	Justice, Legal & Rights


Business	+5%	+10%	+6%	+9%	+5%
Local Government	+6%	+9%	+5%	+15%	+3%
Education	+1%	+13%	+3%	+12%	No Change
Youth	+7%	+7%	No Change	+20%	No Change
Faith	+2%	+10%	+2%	+12%	+3%
NGO/ Community	+2%	+18%	-3%	+11%	+5%
Women	No Change	+9%	No Change	+18%	No Change
Union/Peak Body	+3%	+6%	No Change	+6%	No Change
Indigenous /Reconciliation	+1%	+16%	+5%	+9%	No Change
Ethnic	No Change	+25%	No Change	+12%	No Change
Media	-7%	+7%	+7%	+14%	No Change

Percentages above reflect differences between Tables D and E above and were derived by subtracting the figures in Table D from the corresponding cells in Table E

The final question in the survey sought from respondents a self-assessment of the impact of their reconciliation activities and commitments.

TABLE F

Sectors	Advancing Reconciliation	Reducing Disadvantage
Business	87%	49%
Local Government	59%	14%
Education	76%	12%
Youth	80%	27%
Faith	64%	14%
NGO /Community	68%	16%
Women	36%	9%
Union / Peak Body	91%	55%
Indigenous / Reconciliation	86%	22%
Ethnic	63%	0%
Media	71%	7%

All % are calculated in terms of the total number of responses for each Sector.

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