EDUCATION HELPS SOLVE ABORIGINAL DISADVANTAGE

24 May 1999

The Governor-General, Sir William Deane, said today that education is an essential ingredient to successfully resolving the problems of Aboriginal disadvantage in Australia.

Speaking at a ceremony at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, where he received an honorary doctorate, Sir William said Aboriginal people themselves need better access to full educational opportunities. But the broader Australian community also needs more effective education about Aboriginal perspectives, approaches, achievements and problems "so that there will, in time to come, be new understandings and a better general recognition of the innate worth of Australia's indigenous peoples and of the extent of the present consequences of past oppression and injustice."

In particular, the Governor-General said "there will be wider understanding of the fact that problems such as alcoholism, domestic violence and inability to cope or to improve or to communicate effectively do not constitute justification for indifference or refusal to help but are, in truth, themselves part of an overall disadvantage which is entrenched in its nature and heart-breaking in its extent."

Sir William acknowledged that QUT is among those Australian institutions of higher education addressing the needs of indigenous people through a range of programs. The Law Faculty has 20 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled in undergraduate Law and associated double degree programs, and 14 enrolled in Justice Studies.

The Governor-General went on: "These days, it is sometimes difficult not to feel discouraged - even depressed - about the slow course of the reconciliation process. Certainly, the path ahead is steep and long and full of obstacles, and progress is much slower than I, at least, had hoped for.

"On the other hand, when one moves closer to those who are on the journey - when one looks at the myriad projects and institutions where indigenous and non-indigenous Australians are working quietly and helpfully together to further the cause of understanding and equity, of which this University provides but one example - one realises how much has been achieved away from the gaze of the public eye. It is then that one realises that, however far we may have to go on the road to reconciliation, one should occasionally look back and appreciate how far we have travelled.

"If we do that, those of us who are convinced of the rightness and justice of the cause will speak more quietly, more tolerantly, more constructively and more persuasively to our fellow Australians who are yet to be convinced. For, if we who are convinced do that, I remain hopeful that, however long and difficult the road to true reconciliation may be, we will ultimately reach its end."