CENTENARY OF AUSTRALIA

Early day motion 927, tabled 5 July 2000 by Jeremy Corbyn (Labour). Signed by 49 members.

That this House notes the official visit to the United Kingdom of the Prime Minister of Australia and the celebrations to mark Australia Week 2000; acknowledges the close ties between the peoples of the United Kingdom and Australia as Commonwealth partners, in war and peace, in trade, sport and professional co-operation; however, also notes that the Aboriginal and Islander peoples of Australia have little to celebrate, that their life expectance is 17 years less than other Australians and their infant mortality rate is twice as high; acknowledges the oppression and injustices inflicted on Aboriginal peoples and apologises for the suffering caused by past British policies; further acknowledges current discrimination and disadvantage suffered by Aboriginal peoples in health, education, job opportunities and provision of public services; and therefore calls on the Governments and peoples of Australia to mark the Centenary of Federation by committing themselves to redress that discrimination and disadvantage, and to recognise the special status and rights of Aboriginal peoples as the indigenous peoples of Australia.

Signatures by party: Labour 38, Liberal Democrat 7, Labour/Co-operative 3, Scottish National Party 1.