Support for native title
SYDNEY — A "prominent citizens' statement on native title" was launched at the Harold Park Hotel here on May 1.
The endorsers — more than 100 artists, sportspeople, religious leaders, politicians, writers, academics and others — are appealing "to all Australian politicians to endorse publicly and unequivocally the High Court's native title decisions as just and correct".
The statement demands respect for "the legitimate rights" of Aboriginal people, and negotiations to make co-existence of native title and pastoral leases workable.
Signatories include actors Geoffrey Rush, Judy Davis, Byron Brown, Ruth Cracknell and Rachel Ward; authors Peter Carey, Tom Keneally and Elizabeth Jolly; playwright David Williamson; cartoonist Bruce Petty; film directors Jane Campion, Scott Hicks, Baz Luhrman and George Miller; and sportspersons Des Hasler and Gary Ella.
Charles Perkins, actor Genevieve Lemon, Reverend Harry Herbert and Professor Stuart Rees (pictured) launched the statement, which will be sent to all federal and state government leaders. To add your signature, fax the Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education on (02) 9810 3033 or phone (02) 9810 3922, (02) 9552 3599 (a/h). — John Gauci.