Prime Minister John Howard has welcomed moves by Aboriginal leaders to
embrace the principle of mutual obligation and to open communications
with his Government on Indigenous issues.
Leaders Patrick Dodson and Noel Pearson say they both back mutual
obligation and the move away from welfare dependency as part of finding
solutions to problems affecting Aboriginal communities.
Mr Howard met Pat and Mick Dodson, along with AFL star Michael Long in
Canberra on Friday.
Mr Howard has told ABC TV's "Insiders" program that there is a lot of
work facing the Government and Aboriginal leaders.
"It is important that we focus on areas of agreement between the
Government and the Aboriginal communities," he said.
"That means inevitably focusing on what I might call the welfare
practical reconciliation agenda and there does appear to be a markedly
greater willingness on the part of Aboriginal leaders to do that and I
think that's a wholly welcome thing."
Mr Howard says any work with the leaders will not sideline the
Government's new National Indigenous Council.
"It will be the principle source of advice to the Government on
Indigenous issues, so I want to make that clear in no way will that body
be sidelined, but that doesn't prevent me or Amanda Vanstone from
talking to other people," he said.
"I've long respected Noel Pearson." |
