Historic launch a step towards reconciliation

Convenor Bill Lawson

DIVISION within Tasmania’s Aboriginal community will be put aside when its two peak bodies come together on the same stage for the launch of Reconciliation Tasmania on Wednesday.

Convener Bill Lawson said having speakers from both the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre and the Tasmanian Regional Aboriginal Communities Alliance at the launch would make it a historic event.

“The two peak organisations representing Aboriginal communities across Tasmania are going to be in support of this at the launch,” he said.

Mr Lawson said the Reconciliation Council of Tasmania was about building meaningful and trusting relationships between the wider Tasmanian community and the Aboriginal community.

“I yearn for greater friendship and trust between all Tasmanians. In my view, the time has truly come to do this.

“It is a glaring fact that there is no safe place for Tasmanians to ask truthful questions and get truthful, honest answers in a way that lets them come to grips with what’s happened in the past and what they might do in the future.”

Tasmania will be the last State in Australia to have its own council affiliated with Reconciliation Australia when the organisation launches at Macquarie Point in Hobart.

The launch will coincide with the United Nations Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, and will involve speeches by Premier Will Hodgman and Tasmanian Governor Kate Warner. Reconciliation ride buses will travel to Hobart from Scottsdale, Smithton and Huonville, picking up passengers along the way.

Mr Lawson said there were a number of issues on the organisation’s agenda.

“There are a lot of ideas flowing. One of those in particular is in education and the early childhood space.

“We’re looking to create our own income stream… employing Aboriginal Tasmanians, particularly young Aboriginal Tasmanians with real jobs. And we want to build that dignity and respect as well as the independence and neutrality of this new organisation.”

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Emma Hope