Respect campaign targets new relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians

A new national campaign calling on all Australians to take action and commit to a new partnership between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and non-Indigenous Australians will be launched today by ANTaR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation) in collaboration with The Body Shop.

The campaign seeks to communicate that the disadvantage and discrimination faced by Indigenous people in Australia cannot be addressed through funding and policy change alone. Underlying issues such as people’s lack of understanding and lack of mutual respect must also be squarely tackled.

The Body Shop stores nationally will promote the Respect campaign from 18 May 2009 – 7 June 2009 as part of their commitment to defending human rights and promoting Reconciliation in Australia. ANTaR has challenged The Body Shop to collect 20,000 signatures during the these weeks and to talk to as many customers as possible

Prime Minister Rudd, in his Parliamentary Apology to the Stolen Generations said that ‘the apology… is also aimed at building a bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians—a bridge based on a real respect rather than a thinly veiled contempt’.

‘We expect the Prime Minister to ensure that his government acts on his commitment, voiced at the National Apology, to a new relationship and partnership with Indigenous Australians’, said Dr David Cooper, ANTaR Acting National Director.

‘But we also recognise that it is vital that individual Australians have the information and resources to play their part in creating a new relationship’, Dr Cooper said.

'There is a 17-year gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Improved healthcare alone will not close this gap. Other change is required, particularly in attitudes and behaviour towards Indigenous Australians', Dr Cooper said.

The Respect campaign aims to engage all Australians, particularly non-Indigenous people who feel at a loss for ideas on how they can contribute to removing Indigenous disadvantage. Supporters of the campaign will receive information packs with tips on further actions they can take and some basic information about Indigenous history and culture as a starting point for those who would learn more about the traditional owners of Australia.

ANTaR is asking individual Australians to join the Respect campaign by acting through four easy steps:

- Understand

- Acknowledge

- Be Supportive

- Speak Up

All Australians are encouraged to show their commitment and join the movement by going to www.antar.org.au or signing the pledge in-store at The Body Shop.

Media contacts

David Cooper: 0418 486 310

Janet Hunt: 0408 170 448