THE Labor candidate for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain says "we need to learn about the real history of the beginnings of Australia not just the parts we think are okay".
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The past Bega Valley mayor was commenting on Thursday during an ABC radio forum with Liberal hopeful Fiona Kotvojs ahead of tomorrow's by-election for the seat.
A listener had asked if the pair supported the Uluru statement and the prioritising of treaties between states and territories and Aboriginal people.
Ms McBain said she supported the statement but "real reconciliation" needed a "process of truth-telling".
"That needs to start in parliament and further spread into our educational institutions," she said.
Dr Kotvojs said her focus was to close the gap on Indigenous and non-Indigenous health and education levels.
She said a federal government process to "integrate" Indigenous people into the constitution was underway.
"It is important that it is done in a way that brings everybody behind it....(so it) results in unity across our country and not further division," Dr Kotvojs said.
Items also covered included climate change, brumbies, an anti-corruption watchdog and truth in political advertising.
Ms McBain reacted to Liberal promotions stating she backed eight per cent rate rises for Bega Valley council.
"There is no eight per cent rate rise and the minutes that are claimed in that false advertising is actually council putting some documents on public exhibition, nothing to do with a rate rise," she said.
Emails falsely claiming Ms McBain had COVID-19 are being probed by police.
