We recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people occupied the continent of Australia for many years before the establishment of the British convict settlement at Sydney Cove in 1788. We also recognise that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people suffered dispersal from their traditional lands and we regret that Aboriginal children were forcibly removed from their natural families in years past.

However, CDP also thanks God that the Christian message, which came with the settlers, brought life and hope to many of our indigenous people. Yet, despite the expenditure of vast amounts of taxpayer’s money, living conditions, education levels and health standards of indigenous Australians remain well below those of other Australians.

All levels of Government – Federal, State and Local – have a moral responsibility to improve conditions for indigenous Australians. Aboriginal people living on traditional lands in traditional lifestyles should have the right to continue to do so without undue interference. State and Federal governments should respect self-government of these communities, where possible. Nevertheless, we believe in a united people of Australia.

Policies that have the effect of creating a separate aboriginal community with special privileges and rights are discriminating and divisive. Consequently, we believe that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must be freed from the welfare shackles that have been imposed upon them and that commercial opportunities need to be accessed to enable them to become economically independent of welfare. The government should see this as an urgent priority.

Proper justice for indigenous Australians can only be administered once the damage created by alcohol and drugs is recognised and positive solutions are offered to these communities. Education is paramount as a first step.

Idleness contributes also significantly to the abuse engendered by drugs and alcohol.

More training opportunities should therefore be extended to indigenous Australians.

Teaching a responsible lifestyle to many individuals in these communities is critical and stricter controls should be provided to prevent tax payer funds being misused in purchasing large quantities of alcohol and drugs to the detriment of food and shelter.

The distribution of pornographic material (video and magazines) should be banned as such explicit imagery only contributes to the spread of pedophilia and rape in these communities.

We must also acknowledge that a spiritual war is being waged in these communities; we must put the past behind us, forgive each other for the hostility created, and press on constructively for a positive future.

The State Government should express its genuine regret to family separation policies that were implemented in earlier years but should not be committed to any financial compensation as the current generation cannot be held responsible for the deeds of its forebears. Should the various documents currently making the WA Constitution be amalgamated and updated, the part played in WA Aborigines should be recognised in the State Constitution.

The government should, where reasonably possible, respect the cultural and religious beliefs of the aboriginal people. Therefore a national register of areas significant to the Aboriginal culture should be maintained. While Aboriginals should be entitled to native title, such right must not prevent the use and enjoyment of exclusive tenures such as freehold, residential, commercial and pastoral leases. Nor should essential government type services to the public be hindered or prevented through the application of native title. We support compensation payable to genuine native title claimants on the same grounds and principles as compensation would be paid to non-Aboriginal residents in the case of government land resumption schemes.

Indigenous Australians need to understand they can be part of the democratic process and that they can improve their own living conditions through political lobbying as well as by running for parliamentary office.