The State of Reconciliation in Australia

Reporting on the State of Reconciliation 

The 2021 State of Reconciliation in Australia report captures a snapshot of where we are on our reconciliation journey, where we need to go, and how we are going to get there.

The second such report, it builds upon the first State of Reconciliation in Australia Report, produced in 2016, which identified for the first time the five dimensions of reconciliation—Historical Acceptance; Race Relations; Equality and Equity; Institutional Integrity; and Unity.

Watch this 4-minute summary video on the 2021 State of Reconciliation in Australia report.

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2021 State of Reconciliation in Australia Report: Moving from safe to brave

Drawing on data from the 2020 Australian Reconciliation Barometer, the views key of First Nations leaders, and practical examples of reconciliation in action, the 2021 State of Reconciliation in Australia report identifies progress, as well as areas that need attention if we are to move forward.

The 2021 report finds that support for reconciliation is growing and that more Australians now understand the impact of colonialism and the modern Australian state on First Nations families and communities.

The evidence in the report suggests that the reconciliation movement in Australia is at a tipping point, and that we as a nation need to move from a space of ‘safe’ to ‘brave’ on issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Recommended actions include truth-telling, and actively addressing issues of inequality, systemic racism, and instances in which the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are ignored, denied, or reduced.

Read the 2021 State of Reconciliation in Australia Summary and Full reports

Read the Media Release 

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Paul House with gum leaves and smoke
Paul Girrawah House

Paul Girrawah House has multiple First Nation ancestries from the South-East Canberra region, including the Ngambri-Ngurmal (Walgalu), Pajong (Gundungurra), Wallabollooa (Ngunnawal) and Erambie/Brungle (Wiradyuri) family groups.

Paul acknowledges his diverse First Nation history, he particularly identifies as a descendant of Onyong aka Jindoomang from Weereewaa (Lake George) and Henry ‘Black Harry’ Williams from Namadgi who were both multilingual, essentially Walgalu-Ngunnawal-Wiradjuri speaking warriors and Ngunnawal–Wallaballooa man William Lane aka ‘Billy the Bull’ - Murrjinille.

Paul was born at the old Canberra hospital in the centre of his ancestral country and strongly acknowledges his First Nation matriarch ancestors, in particular his mother Dr Aunty Matilda House-Williams and grandmother, Ms Pearl Simpson-Wedge.

Paul completed a Bachelor of Community Management from Macquarie University, and Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage and Management from CSU.

Paul provided the Welcome to Country for the 47th Opening of Federal Parliament in 2022. Paul is Board Director, Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council, Member Indigenous Reference Group, National Museum of Australia and Australian Government Voice Referendum Engagement Group.  

Paul works on country with the ANU, First Nations Portfolio as a Senior Community Engagement Officer

Acknowledgement of Country

Reconciliation Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing  connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away.

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