To The Premier of Victoria
Dear Premier
RE: RECONCILIATION VICTORIA
I am writing in my capacity of Chairperson, The Long Walk Trust to request that the Victorian Government reconsider its decision to cease funding Reconciliation Victoria.
As you are probably aware, The Long Walk was established to commemorate Michael Long and others' historic walk to Canberra in 2004 to raise awareness amongst politicians and the general public about the need to improve conditions for Indigenous Australians and open up respectful dialogue after years of government inaction. Since then, The Long Walk has established a charitable trust to improve the social, economic and health conditions of Indigenous Australians.
Our Board is both surprised and very disappointed to hear that the Victorian Government has decided to stop funding Reconciliation Victoria.
We are surprised at the government's decision because Reconciliation Victoria is a well-respected organisation which has a long track record of successful initiatives to educate non-Indigenous Victorians about our shared history, values of respect, increasing life expectancy, health , wellbeing and life chances of Victorian Indigenous peoples and their continued disadvantage, with inclusive strategies to address these. Reconciliation Victoria also plays a valuable role in independently reviewing government policy which impacts on Indigenous Victorians, across numerous portfolio issues.
There is no other Victorian organisation which focuses on this vital general educative and informational role. Other organisations have specific roles in relation to particular areas of work (eg Indigenous health, housing, legal assistance).
Over some years now, Reconciliation Victoria has created opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to come together in a positive spirit of sharing knowledge and experience, mutual respect and relationship building, and vision for a better and fairer future for all Victorians. It works in schools and colleges, community and neighbourhood groups, workplaces, media, regional and state-wide activities. It has done so in an inclusive supportive way that has strengthen other organisations and enabled greater coordination of effort and action at key moments (eg Reconciliation Week and related events). Indeed, if Reconciliation Victoria did not exist it would need to be recreated because it plays a unique role in drawing other groups together.
We are also surprised as the cessation of government funding appears to run counter to the Premier and other Government Ministers' policy and commitment to Reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Victorians, as witnessed in historic events such as The Apology and its signing of the Statement of Intent to Close the Gap in Indigenous life expectancy, which includes addressing the social determinants of poor health and wellbeing. As is well evidenced, racism and discrimination in their many forms (individual and systemic, subtle and overt) are major underlying factors contributing to Indigenous disadvantage in all areas of life.
For sometime yet, Reconciliation Victoria will continue to require core organisational funding from government to keep up its great work towards increasing real understanding and reconciliation across racial divides and social injustice. Membership fees, small grants, corporate sponsorship and philanthropic support are all wonderful ways to run one-off projects which have an impact, but they do not pay the rent or the salaries of the small but hardworking team that keep the engine room going, write the grant applications, run the projects and keep up the momentum. For a relatively small amount of funding, Reconciliation Victoria makes a significant impact and has a multiplier effect in the community through its support to other positive initiatives.
The Long Walk Trust implores you to reverse this decision and continue funding of what has proved to be an effective, efficient and well-trusted organisation.
When the leaders of the G20 met last month in London they acknowledged that 'we are facing the greatest challenge to the world economy in modern times' and have committed to call upon the UN to establish effective mechanisms to monitor the impact of the crisis on the poorest and most vulnerable.
The Indigenous Community is over represented in this category and it would seem only rational that the Victorian Government would be in alignment with G20 strategy and therefore see it as critical to continue to fund organisations such as Reconciliation Victoria who provide support interventions to the Indigenous Community.
Now, in particular, in a time of global financial crisis it is not the time to discontinue funding to critical community support groups like Reconciliation Victoria.
I am available to discuss the matter with you further.
Darron Muir
Chairperson
The LONG Walk