Reconciliation Australia have reiterated their core priorities for whichever shade of federal government, and broader Parliament, is elected on Saturday amid "rancorous political divisions".
The non-for-profit group, described as Australia's lead body for reconciliation, proposed foundational action areas for the next term of government "to set our course towards a reconciled nation that benefits all Australians" in an election platform earlier this month.
Reconciliation Australia aligns each action with a priority reform of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
On Monday, the group said the next federal government formed after polls close "must continue to take steps to ensure the full and equitable participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the economic, social and cultural life of Australia".
"The next Federal Parliament will be faced with significant challenges as Australians battle a cost-of-living crisis and the impact of international uncertainty and political upheaval," they said.
"Australia, like other nations, is facing reduced social cohesion and rancorous political divisions.
"Reconciliation provides a strong foundation for a more unified society.
"We remind all public figures that divisive commentary and behaviour − especially during election campaigns − fuels distress, resentment and disengagement."
Historic multi-party support for reconciliation must continue, RA said, with it's "key tenets" placed "at the heart" of the elected Federal Government's work.
The body continue calls for the establishment of a Makarrata Commission for national truth-telling under an action to 'Don't walk away from our history'.
"The level of community support for truth-telling is the foundation stone upon which we can build reconciliation, and progress in the education system to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures," Reconciliation Australia's Election Statement says.
"Listening to the voices of First Nations peoples and providing opportunities for all Australians to learn from the vast knowledge and experiences which First Nations people possess, will ensure the best outcomes for this nation.
"Truth-telling does not guarantee reconciliation, but meaningful reconciliation cannot occur without it."
Under 'now' foundational actions, RA call for continual investment into Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations for improved health outcomes, and for full funding of the Australian Human Rights Commission's National Anti-Racism Framework within a proposed national priority to overcome racism.
RA also calls for investment into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services full implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples UNDRIP) to 'Ensure just and equitable futures', and seperartely, national macroeconomic development policy to support First Nations people and businesses economic prosperity.
In 2015, Reconciliation Australia launched the Narragunnawali program - 'tools and resources for schools and early learning services to take action towards reconciliation between non-First Nations Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.'
In their election platform, RA call for investment into the program alongside new funding models for Aboriginal community-controlled early education and care.
RECONCILIATION AUSTRALIA'S PROPOSED SIX FOUNDATIONAL ACTIONS: Bridging Now to Next
PAST: Don't walk away from our history (linked to National Agreement on Closing the Gap Priority Reform 1)
NOW: Improved health outcomes (Priority Reform 2), Support for anti-racism action (Priority Reforms 2 & 3)
NEXT: Invest in future generations (Priority Reform 2), Ensure just and equitable futures (Priority Reform 2), Economic futures (Priority Reform 3)
"The incoming government must show determined leadership in Australia's reconciliation journey and ensure this journey is framed by unity and strength, not division and hesitancy," Reconciliation Australia continued.
"To rebuild national unity Reconciliation Australia proposes foundational action areas that the Federal Government must take into the next term to set our course towards a reconciled nation that benefits all Australians."
RA said government policies "must enable conditions for self-determination and uphold the unique rights" for Australia's First Peoples outlined in the UNDRIP, and: "Above all, government policies must reflect the reality that First Nations peoples and communities know best what works and what the solutions are".
