The Sydney Morning Herald
Letters page (extract)
Deane has right and respect over Howard
Michael Thomas (Herald, April 28) believes that Sir William Deane should
not accept the declaration of reconciliation because he
represents only the Queen and not the people, as John Howard does.
The Queen is the head of state in Australia. That is the highest office
of the land and her representative should therefore accept the
declaration.
Of course, if Australia was a republic and John Howard the president,
there would be no dispute. Mr Howard as head of state would
accept the declaration.
Patricia Lupton, Monterey.
Michael G. Thomas (and the minute tally of thinkers like him) do not
have to worry any more as I can assure him that the multitude of
decent caring Australians of all creeds and/or colour do care about what
Sir William Deane has to say. Probably more so than what the
PM has to say.
Sir William Deane represents all Australians as the appointed
representative of the Queen. And what a perfect job he is doing.
Fred Hoiting, Coleyville (Qld).
I feel compelled to reply to the letter of Michael G. Thomas asking who
cares what the Governor-General has to say. It appears to me
that the Governor-General shows more aptitude in representing me as an
Australian than the PM has ever demonstrated on the subject of
reconciliation, and I would suspect that I am not alone in that
position.
Ashley Collard, Fairlight.
The interview between Margo Kingston and Gustav Nossal put into sharp
focus the problems confronting the organisers of Corroboree
2000. The present political environment actively discourages the process
of reconciliation.
"Practical reconciliation" is yet another example of the Federal
Government's capacity to dissemble. It tells the world that it is
committed
to a process which will advance the interests of indigenous people when
in fact it pursues paternalistic policies designed to silence
Aboriginal demands for justice.
The Prime Minister has shown himself to be an enemy of reconciliation.
John Herron continuing as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs is
evidence enough of this.
A call to take the heat out of the political debate is no solution.
This Government will use any ambivalent message to promote its own
interests.
Its use of the UN Secretary-General's silence during his tour of
Australia is evidence enough of this. Corroboree 2000 should be an
expression of the desire many Australians have for true reconciliation.
This can only happen in spite of the Government's position.
People can only reconcile their differences with give and take on both
sides. John Howard has shown he is only capable of taking the
goodwill shown by past governments away from the cause of re-
conciliation. The reconciliation process can continue without this
Government and Corroboree 2000 should show that it will.
Mark Austin, Surry Hills.
Forget the war
The Prime Minister is touring the battlefields of France where his
father and grandfather fought, carrying one of their war
diaries with him. Sounds like black armband travel to me. Can't he just
forget about the the past, and move on?
Melissa Lucashenko, O'Connor, (ACT).
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Truth is a pathless land. --- Krishnamurti
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