It is important for reconciliation for those relics to be returned to the communities and also for the communities to be able to house those relics and teach the future generations about the cultural significance of these artefacts. Unfortunately throughout mainstream Australia and within some Aboriginal circles the controversy surrounding the Hindmarsh Bridge and the secret woman's business has caused possibly irreparable damage to Aboriginal culture in Australia. In the general community today, what goes on behind closed doors in a boardroom is privy to those elected to that Board. The relationship between a doctor and his or her client is confidential. Between a lawyer and his or her client, client confidentiality is recognised and legal professional privilege is a well-known concept.
Indigenous culture has similar institutional values.
There are sacred-secret materials that only a privileged few can see and experience. An anthropologist known as Dr Montford published the book and it contained business that could only have been revealed to him in confidence. The Pitjantjara Council argued in court that the circulation of such a book would seriously undermine the social and religious stability our hard-pressed community. Reconciliation cannot be achieved if the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and mainstream Australia cannot respect Aboriginal custom. This is to do with respect and understanding of Aboriginal culture and the recognition of traditional lore within the Australian legal system.