Reconciliation requires changes of heart and spirit, as well as social and economic change. It requires symbolic as well as practical action.

People die because they find living too painful.

Yet there are thousands of Indigenous people searching for family members.

Three years ago the Government announced the creation of Reconciliation Place, and said that it would include a memorial to those removed from their families. However, they refused to include any of those who were removed in the design of their own memorial.

Reconciliation requires changes of heart and spirit, as well as social and economic change. It requires symbolic as well as practical action.

We are seeing healing among the stolen generations, and initiatives which are enabling Indigenous people to make their distinctive contribution to our national life.

There are no quick fixes to Indigenous poverty and social disaster.