Indigenous people feel that white Australia has an obligation to us to reverse the trends highlighted 10 years ago and which show no sign of diminishing. White Australia needs to understand that indigenous people have the energy, will and desire to do things for themselves. Millions of Australians have demonstrated their support for reconciliation, a process that stemmed directly from the royal commission. We need to ensure all of those non-indigenous Australians who have marched for reconciliation realise its achievement must involve recognition. Until there is recognition and action on this at the national level, our aspirations for self-determination will never be realised, and the fundamental issues addressed by the royal commission will never be properly implemented.
National action needs to be matched by fundamental reform at the state level.
Worryingly, both sides of politics in Western Australia were committed to increasing compulsory jailing regimes during the recent state election campaign. The introduction of mandatory sentencing in Western Australia and the Northern Territory is of major concern. These laws strike at the heart of the royal commission findings. Tragically, it has led to the death of a mentally disturbed boy in detention on minor theft charges, with evidence on the public record that he should not have been jailed at all. Even in states such as Victoria, which have done more than most in implementing the royal commission recommendations, we still have major anomalies.