Transcript No. 2000/111

SUBJECTS: Aboriginal reconciliation

Mr Costello it’s a very important day, how important is this for the path to

reconciliation?

Oh look I think it’s been a great day, a lot of people have turned out to show

that they’re in favour of reconciliation. That they want to put an end to division

and support friendship between indigenous and non-indigenous people. I think it’s

been a happy day.

And what’s the next step now politically? There’s talk now, its really now in

Government hands to do something.

Well I think the important thing is to keep that sense of goodwill and to ensure that

there’s unity and the debate doesn’t polarise between extremists on the left and

extremists on the right. And to make sure that we go forward, particularly with practical

reconciliation. There’s still so much to be done in areas of health and housing and

improving living standards for indigenous people. That this is where a Government can make

a very direct contribution.

So it’s a very important step, but a long way to go.

Look this is a step. The public says that it’s in favour of reconciliation but

it’s still a question of improving conditions on the ground, practical reconciliation

in relation to health, housing, standards of living.