Please freely copy, fill in and post, if this echoes your feelings on this issue, and you wish to add your voice to the debate.

Australian Citizens Statement on Native Title

"We appeal to all Australian politicians - National, State and Territory - to endorse publicly and unequivocally the High Court's native title decisions as just and correct decisions. The recent Wik decision recognised a policy and practice in Australia for over 150 years of both pastoralists and Aboriginal people co-existing on pastoral leases. Since the 1840's Aborigines and pastoralists in many parts of the country have lived on and used the same leasehold land but for different purposes. Leasehold land is not freehold, and should not be the subject of a "land-grab" by any sectional interest.

The Wik decision was a further strengthening of the reconciliation process between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians which, if sabotaged at this stage, will leave Australia, in the words of our Governor-General Sir William Deane, "a diminished nation".

The Wik decision respected the rights of both pastoralists and Aboriginal people. Certainty is required for both groups. This can not be provided by wiping out the legitimate rights of Aboriginal people. Negotiation is the only process which will make co-existence workable for all parties, as evidenced by the recent success of the Cape York agreement. Aborigines, no less than pastoralists and miners, have to be at the negotiating table and their rights have to be respected.

We ask you to be courageous and not give in to the destructive forces of selfishness, prejudice or ignorance. We ask you to stand firm in resisting any tampering with the Native Title Act or the Racial Discrimination Act that could lead to extinguishment of native title - in name or in fact. We believe that this path could lead to the most serious damage to the social fabric of Australian society and to our standing in the international community. Do not diminish our nation."

Signature: _________________________________________________________

Date: _________

Name: (please print)_________________________________________________

Occupation and/or Organisation:______________________________________

Address:__________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
__________________________________

Contact numbers:

Phone: ______________________________

Fax: ________________________________

Email: _________________________________________

Please return signed statement to:
C/O The Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education
PO Box 154 ,
Balmain,
NSW 2041.

Or fax to (02) 9810 3033

For further information

Contact: Phone (Business hours): (02) 9810 3922

Phone (After Hours): (02) 9552 3599

Email: philg@justice.sm.cfc.edu.au

Authorised by "Prominent Citizens Native Title Statement" organising group.

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Text marked up 8/6/97 by Sarah Peckham