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Messages of Hope
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Shameful comments condemned
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In a recent press release, the President of the Uniting Church in Australia,
Rev. Alistair Macrae has condemned the recent comments by
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and other Opposition members
concerning the acknowledgement of traditional Indigenous ownership
of land as ignorant and destructive.
Tony Abbott has criticised Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his Ministers as
engaging in "tokenism" and unnecessary political correctness when they
acknowledge traditional owners while speaking at functions.
Rev. Macrae said, "such comments reveal a concerning level of ignorance
about the significance and function of the regular acknowledgment of the
traditional owners of land. They are extremely unhelpful in building bridges
between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians."
"Mr Abbott's comments give tacit approval to others to make ignorant and
racist comments which can only unravel the goodwill that exists between so
many Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
"The acknowledgement of traditional owners at public and community
gatherings is the least that we can do in the light of the invasion by
Europeans and the consequent dispossession experienced by Australia's First
Peoples. Hopefully such acknowledgments represent substantial
commitments to reconciliation and spur the community to engage
with more than words.
"For the Uniting Church in Australia, repeating that acknowledgement in an
attitude of deep respect whenever we gather serves to remind us that we are
committed, together with our Indigenous brothers and sisters, to the
on-going work of reconciliation.
"The Uniting Church in Australia is grateful for the relationship we have
with our Indigenous brothers and sisters. We remain committed to working
together for a better Australia, a country that can admit the mistakes of
the past and look ahead to the future with hope and pride."
Amen to that! |
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