Truth-telling supports stronger relationships and mutual respect through shared understandings of our past and how it shapes the present. Truth-telling is fundamental to historical acceptance, one of the five dimensions that guides Reconciliation Australia’s work.
The Australian Reconciliation Barometer (ARB) is the only survey in Australia tracking reconciliation progress between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.
Truth-telling covers a range of activities that enable a fuller and more accurate account of Australia’s history. This can include inquiries, commissions, apologies, reviews of institutional policies and practices, or more local level events, publications, renaming, signage, statues and public art.
The Truth-telling and Historical Acceptance Snapshot shows that:
- Strong support for truth-telling is evident across all states and territories with 71% of non-Indigenous people believing it to be an important element for progressing reconciliation (81% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
- 14% of 18–24-year-old non-Indigenous people and 21% of 25–34-year-olds have participated in a local truth-telling activity in the past year (9% of non-Indigenous people of all ages)
- 60% of non-Indigenous people believe they have a high level of knowledge about Australia’s colonial history (73% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples).
2024 Australian Reconciliation Barometer Truth-telling and Historical Acceptance snapshot.
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