Reconciliation Australia Archives - Reconciliation Australia

New survey shows overwhelming support for reconciliation

Ben Taylor — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 23:29:07 +0000

Reconciliation Australia’s latest survey has found strong support for reconciliation and truth-telling.

85% of Australians surveyed in the 2024 Australian Reconciliation Barometer (ARB) believe the relationship between non-Indigenous and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is important.

The ARB is undertaken every two years to measure the attitudes and perceptions First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians hold about each other and about key issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The 2024 survey was conducted almost a year after the Voice referendum campaign and at a time when Australians juggled cost-of-living pressures at home, while violent conflicts and extreme climate events wreaked havoc across the world.

Reconciliation Australia CEO, Karen Mundine, said she was encouraged by the latest ARB findings.

‘Despite the economic and global challenges and despite the disinformation and racism we witnessed during the referendum campaign, the 2024 ARB results show that most Australians share an enduring optimism in the possibility of a more united Australia and believe that the Federal Government should do more to advance reconciliation’, she said.

‘It gives us hope to report that Australians now largely accept the truths of our history, place importance on our relationships with each other, and are prepared to work together.’

‘I am particularly heartened by this latest ARB data indicating growing support for reconciliation from two critical demographic groups: multicultural Australians and young Australians.’

Multicultural Australians

The 2024 ARB shows that multicultural Australians believe more strongly in the importance of relationships in building unity than mainstream Australians and are more driven to take action on reconciliation.

Multicultural Australians believe in the importance of truth-telling at higher levels than Anglo-Australians (81% compared to 67%) and are more than twice as likely to have participated in a local truth-telling activity than Anglo-Australians.

They are more likely to have attended a First Nations art exhibition or museum display or a celebration of First Nations culture.

Multicultural Australians more strongly believe the wrongs of the past must be rectified before all Australians can move forward (36% compared to 24%).

However, the ARB also found less knowledge of First Nations histories and cultures among multicultural respondents who reported they are much less likely to have personal experiences with First Nations people that provide them with first hand understanding.

Ms Mundine said this was a clear indication of the need to better engage and inform multicultural Australians of the importance of reconciliation and truth-telling.

‘Our ARB respondents from multicultural backgrounds show significant support for the key principles of reconciliation,’ said Mundine. ‘Our challenge is to ensure that this support is consolidated with access to good information in languages other than English, and more opportunities for interaction with First Nations people.’

View 2024 ARB data on multicultural Australians

Young Australians

Ms Mundine said the 2024 ARB data shows that young Australians have more positive attitudes towards unity, cultural understanding, and the importance of truth-telling than older Australians.

‘Young Australians are more committed to acting in support of reconciliation (66% compared to 47%), they are more likely to recognise racism in Australia and more than 90% of them believe it is important to learn about the impact of European colonisation and government policy on First Nations Australians.

‘They overwhelmingly support having Welcome to Country ceremonies at major sporting events (80% compared to 55% of older Australians) and official dual naming of important sites,’ said Mundine. ‘And they believe, at rates more than double that of the general community, that the wrongs of the past must be rectified before all Australians can move forward (58% to 28%).

‘Young Australians are showing the way, and we must harness their energy and positivity into the future, if we are to achieve a reconciled and more just nation,’ she said.

View 2024 ARB data on young Australians

Rising racism

Karen Mundine said that while these responses were cause for optimism, the 2024 ARB worryingly indicated a rise in First Nations people experiencing racism since the 2022 ARB.

‘More than half of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people surveyed reported experiencing racial discrimination in the past six months. Not only has there been rise in these experiences since 2022, but we have seen a significant increase in racism the last decade,’ she said (39% in 2014 to 54% in 2024).

‘Of particular concern is that younger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience racism at higher levels than all other age groups, with 68% of First Nations people aged 25-34 years old experiencing at least one form of racial prejudice in the past six months.

‘This exposure to racism has meant that half of the First Nations people surveyed feel unable to be true to their cultural identity in their community, in their dealings with government departments and in the criminal justice system.

‘This is a shocking finding and adds weight to calls for governments to fully implement the National Anti-Racism Framework, as a key established mechanism to address systemic racism in Australia,’ she said.

View 2024 ARB data on experiences of racism

Measuring the positive impact of RAPs

In another positive indication of changing Australian attitudes, Reconciliation Australia’s survey of people employed by organisations with a Reconciliation Action Plan – the Workplace RAP Barometer (WRB) – shows increased understanding of, and support for, reconciliation compared with the general population.

Every two years Reconciliation Australia conducts the WRB, surveying employees in organisations with a RAP.

The WRB survey results have been compared with responses from the general population drawn from the 2024 ARB to give an indication of the impact of RAPs on understanding of First Nations histories and cultures and attitudes towards reconciliation.

For example, RAP employees have higher knowledge of the history of colonial Australia than the general community (70% of RAP employees compared to 60% in the general community), and most believe the Australian people should be educating themselves about First Nations histories and cultures in response to the referendum result (72% compared to 42% in the general community).

RAP employees surveyed in the WRB see racism as more prevalent than the general community does (73% compared to 52%).

Ms Mundine said that the more than 3,000 RAP organisations with members and employees making up over five million Australians are clearly having a significant influence on Australian attitudes.

View 2024 ARB/WRB data comparisons

2024 ARB survey notes

The 2024 Australian Reconciliation Barometer, undertaken every two years since 2008, shows the attitudes and perceptions First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians hold about each other and about key issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people. The following were surveyed:

532 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (associated with a margin of error of +/-4.2%)
1990 non-indigenous people (associated with a margin of error of +/-2.2%.)

For a combined total base sample of 2,599 is associated with a margin of error of +/-1.9%

Both samples weighted to be representative in terms of age group, gender and location (state and territory populations), as per Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 Census data.

Read the 2024 ARB Methodology Statement

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Election 2025: Reconciliation Australia statement

Liz Willis — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 05:03:19 +0000

Reconciliation Australia proposes foundational action areas that the Federal Government must take into the next term to set our course towards a reconciled nation.

The next Federal Parliament will be faced with significant challenges as Australians battle a cost-of-living crisis and the impact of international uncertainty and political upheaval.

Australia, like other nations, is facing reduced social cohesion and rancorous political divisions.

Reconciliation provides a strong foundation for a more unified society.

We remind all public figures that divisive commentary and behaviour − especially during election campaigns − fuels distress, resentment and disengagement.

Reconciliation has historically had multi-party support and the next Federal Government, working across the parliament, must place the key tenets of reconciliation at the heart of its work.

The incoming government must show determined leadership in Australia’s reconciliation journey and ensure this journey is framed by unity and strength, not division and hesitancy.

To rebuild national unity Reconciliation Australia proposes foundational action areas that the Federal Government must take into the next term to set our course towards a reconciled nation that benefits all Australians.

These include:

the establishment of a Makarrata Commission

continued investment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services

continual investment in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations

support a new funding model for Aboriginal community-controlled early education

invest in the future of Reconciliation Australia’s Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education program

invest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services

actively develop economic opportunities for First Nations people and businesses through a national macroeconomic development policy.

See our full 2025 Election Statement.

The incoming government must ensure this journey is framed by unity and strength, not division and hesitancy.

We remind all public figures that divisive commentary and behaviour − especially during election campaigns − fuels distress and disengagement.

The next Federal Government must continue to take steps to ensure the full and equitable participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the economic, social and cultural life of Australia.

Government policies must enable conditions for self-determination and uphold the unique rights of Aboriginal and Torres Islander peoples as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Above all, government policies must reflect the reality that First Nations peoples and communities know best what works and what the solutions are.

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New Reconciliation Australia Board Directors

Liz Willis — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 01:27:51 +0000

Reconciliation Australia co-chairs welcome Belinda Duarte (AM) and Stacee Ketchell to the Board of Directors.

Australia’s lead body for reconciliation today announced the appointment of two new board members: Wotjobaluk and Dja Dja Wurrung woman, Belinda Duarte AM, and, Wakaid and Meuram woman from the Maluligal and Kemer Kemer Meriam Nations of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait), Stacee Ketchell.

Reconciliation Australia co-chairs, Kirstie Parker and Michael Rose welcomed the appointments.

‘Belinda and Stacee will add to Reconciliation Australia’s governance capacity and bring a wealth of new experience to the board.

‘They are both accomplished leaders with histories of passionate advocacy for First Nations peoples and reconciliation.

‘Their experience working with young people, and in culture and sport will certainly add to the board’s deliberations in some challenging times.

“We look forward to working with them both.’

Belinda Duarte AM

Belinda was the inaugural director of the Korin Gamadji Institute and a key mover in establishing the AFL SportsReady’s National Indigenous Employment Program.

The first female executive at Richmond Football Club, in 2012, she was voted Football Woman of the Year. In 2020, she received the Parbin-ata Louisa Briggs Award, for making a significant contribution to reconciliation in the community and served as co-chair of Reconciliation Victoria.

Belinda informed the Aboriginal Treaty Working Group to assist the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and is currently an Honorary, Founding Advisory Member for the Koorie Youth Council.

Belinda is the current CEO of Culture is Life which supports and promotes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led solutions to affirm and strengthen culture and to prevent youth suicide.

She said that her appointment to the board will allow her to directly influence Australia’s reconciliation journey.

‘Australia is a country with the oldest living culture in the world, and while we are making some progress, we still have a way to go,’ she said.

“I look forward to playing a part in determining Reconciliation Australia’s role in a future where First Nations people are self-determining and respected as the First Peoples of this continent.’

Stacee Ketchell

Stacee was the co-founder and Chair of Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG), a youth-led movement working to amplify the voices of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities.

She served as a campaign coordinator for the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice Referendum and recently joined Cape York Partnerships as Manager for Cape Operations and is a 2024-2025 Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leader.

‘I am a passionate champion for young people, particularly for initiatives that enable young people to navigate and excel in “two worlds,” both honouring their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage while thriving within the Western system,’ she said.

‘Young First Nations people have so much to share and offer, and everyone has a responsibility to this country to make it better for the next generation.

‘As a young woman from Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) with knowledge of cultural practices and cultural governance I am determined to bring a voice for youth and remote communities to the board.’

Both directors commenced their terms at the Reconciliation Australia Board of Directors meeting held in Canberra late February.

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National Apology Anniversary

Liz Willis — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 03:57:35 +0000

On the the 17th anniversary of the historic National Apology to the Stolen Generations, Reconciliation Australia urges all Australians to better understand our shared history and the traumatic injustices committed against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Statement by Reconciliation Australia CEO, Karen Mundine

It is estimated that as many as one in three Indigenous children were taken from their families between 1910 and the 1970s as part of formal government assimilationist policies

The policy affected most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia as their children were removed into institutions, adopted, or fostered out to non-Indigenous families, and the trauma continues to impact First Nations communities today

The National Apology to the Stolen Generations delivered by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in the Federal Parliament on 13 February 2008 was a watershed moment for reconciliation and truth-telling in Australia.

Prime Minister Rudd’s Apology joined Prime Minister Paul Keating’s famous 1992 Redfern Speech in finally acknowledging the trauma and grief suffered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people caused by past colonial and more recent government policies, including the removal of children. 

Despite Kevin Rudd’s apology Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are still grossly over-represented at every stage of the child protection system. In 2023, across Australia 43.7% of children aged 0–⁠17 years old in out of home care were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander – an increase of 3.7 percentage points since 2019.

The Healing Foundation’s report, Are you waiting for us to die?’ – The Unfinished Business of Bringing Them Home, released today, found only 6% of the recommendations from the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families 1997 (the Bringing Them Home report) – to support Stolen Generations survivors and their families – have been clearly implemented.

Reconciliation Australia firmly backs the Healing Foundation’s call for a National Healing Package of urgent changes to enable survivors to live out their remaining days with dignity.

The lack of comprehensive implementation of recommendations from the ground-breaking Bringing Them Home report illustrate a vital component of truth-telling – that it must achieve change.

The trauma experienced by Stolen Generation survivors in telling their stories in 1997 needs to be acknowledged with a package of assistance for the remaining elderly survivors.

Reconciliation Australia continues to work towards a wider community understanding of Australia’s true history through our Community Truth-telling Pathways program, and we continue to work with our RAP partner Life Without Barriers and its commitment to transfer its Out of Home Care services to Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations. 

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Statement on 26 January 2025

Liz Willis — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 21:43:27 +0000

Truth-telling is critical to Australia being able to celebrate together; a common understanding of our shared history is essential.

This year tens of thousands of Australians will once again choose to join First Nations peoples in commemorations, concerts, Survival Day marches and faith gatherings to mark the start of this continent’s colonisation.

Even more Australians will spend 26 January re-evaluating what our national day means and how we can create a better country and a better date for celebrating it – one that all Australians, including First Nations people, can celebrate.

Reconciliation Australia CEO, Karen Mundine said debate around celebrating our national day on the 26 January is a positive reflection of Australians coming to terms with the terrible history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ dispossession.

‘The support of First Nations events by non-Indigenous Australians is a welcome sign of our country’s growing maturity and understanding as more and more Australians join the movement for reconciliation and justice,’ Karen Mundine said.

‘Truth-telling is critical to Australia being able to celebrate together; a common understanding of our shared history is essential. Unity, justice, and national pride is dependent on truth.

She pointed to a May 2024 Ipsos poll Australians’ Perceptions of First Nations Issues which found that “57% of Australians believe there should be retelling of Australia’s history from Indigenous perspectives.”

‘The Ipsos poll and our own 2022 Australian Reconciliation Barometer both indicate that the efforts of First Nations people and the reconciliation movement to better inform Australians of our history have resulted in a growing awareness of the impact colonisation has had, and continues to have, on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

‘National unity and improved social cohesion are dependent on a broader telling of history and a common understanding of our shared history is essential in the creation of a national day for all Australians.

‘National unity cannot be built on selective versions of history that exclude, brush over or silence the voices and experiences of First Nations peoples.

‘Nor can unity be achieved by refusing to discuss alternative dates for Australia’s national day in the face of legitimate and long-standing objections from First Nations and other Australians.’

This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme: Bridging Now to Next reflects this ongoing connection between past, present, and future and calls for all Australians to step forward together.

It reminds us that progress in reconciliation is not always linear and includes both great strides (2000 bridge walks) and disappointing setbacks (2023 Referendum).

Ms Mundine urged Australians to have respectful conversations about finding a way through the current debate and creating a reconciled and more just country; one that we can all celebrate.

See ANTaR’s list of events for 26 January 2025.
Sign the Not a Date to Celebrate petition calling for inclusion and respect on 26 January.

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Reconciliation Australia Board: New Co-chairs

Faiza Ways — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 06:07:46 +0000

Reconciliation Australia welcomes two new co-chairs to its board of directors following the retirement of Professor Tom Calma AO and Ms Melinda Cilento.

The new co-chairs are long-standing director Ms Kirstie Parker and the newly-appointed director, Mr Michael Rose AM.

Professor Calma and Ms Cilento have been leading the board since 2011.

The new co-chairs expressed their deep gratitude to Professor Calma and Ms Cilento.

‘Both Tom and Melinda have provided inspired and thoughtful leadership and guidance to the organisation for more than a decade,’ said Kirstie Parker.

‘Their contribution to reconciliation and Australian public life has been immense, and I have no doubt that their passionate advocacy for First Nations justice and reconciliation will continue.’

Ms Parker said she was honoured to step into the co-chair role and looked forward to working alongside Michael Rose.

‘Whilst as a nation we have stumbled in recent times and lost some ground, I’m eternally buoyed by the dignity, courage and tenacity of First Nations people as well as many non-Indigenous Australians of the same character,’ she said.

‘Enduring reconciliation will be achieved not through the comments section of tabloid newspapers or on talkback radio airwaves but through the steady advancement of First Nations self-determination underpinned by a groundswell of genuine, thoughtful actions – small and big – by good people with open hearts.

‘Through these, we will see the best of this nation.’

Michael Rose said, ‘Through their leadership and guidance, Tom and Melinda have positioned Reconciliation Australia well to continue its important work, work that matters now more than ever.

‘I am looking forward to working with Kirstie, our board colleagues and the management team, taking this work forward.’

The Board also farewelled director Kenny Bedford, a Meuram man from Erub in Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait Islands), who the new co-chairs thanked for his unwavering commitment to reconciliation and generosity in sharing his unique perspectives from remote Australia.

The new co-chairs bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their leadership of Reconciliation Australia.

Kirstie Parker is a Yuwaalaraay woman from northwest NSW and has been a director of Reconciliation Australia since 2010. Her leadership in community, not-for-profit and government settings spans First Nations rights, representation and advocacy, policy development, journalism and communications, and the arts. Now an independent consultant, Kirstie was previously Strategic Adviser to the Uluru Dialogue, Director – Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation within SA Government, CEO of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, elected Co-Chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, and editor of the Koori Mail newspaper.

Michael Rose is an experienced director who serves on a number of commercial, government and not for profit boards. He has been actively engaged in policy issues involving Indigenous communities and Indigenous rights, employment and education. He has worked closely with Reconciliation Australia over the years, including in relation to the Recognise campaign. He was a member of the Referendum Council on Constitutional Recognition and in 2016 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for services to Indigenous communities and the legal profession.

Learn more about the Reconciliation Australia Board.

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Thank you for your support in 2024

Faiza Ways — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 14:00:20 +0000

2024: A year of reflection, action and moving forward.

This year has been a year of reflection but also of continuing and determined action towards reconciliation and justice for First Nations peoples.

Last year’s Voice to Parliament referendum demonstrated that we still have a long walk on our reconciliation journey, but it also reaffirmed that our work over the past decades has created a powerful force for positive change.

Now more than ever we know our supporters, partners, and allies will listen to the voices of First Nations peoples and act for a more just, equitable and reconciled Australia.

In truth-telling, education, child removals, incarceration I know our supporters will join us to advance the cause of First Nations self-determination.

We thank you all for your continued commitment to the reconciliation movement.

On behalf of Reconciliation Australia’s board and staff I wish you a safe summer break and urge you to continue raising your voices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into 2025 and beyond.

In preparation, see the National Reconciliation Week 2025 theme, Bridging Now to Next.

Karen Mundine – Chief Executive Officer

Please note our offices will be closed from Wednesday 25 December to Thursday 2 January.

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