Saying sorry to Indigenous Australians

[brendan]

To the extent that the intervention is simply enforcing the law, i have no problem with it.

[excal]

But, what if the intervention became law by Act of Parliament? Would you support it then?

[brendan]

the existing criminal law that is

[bucket]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23246127-2862,00.html

"Activists threatened to launch a series of legal claims for damages if compensation did not accompany the federal government's historic apology last week."

So it begins?
Looks like we may all end up paying for what we didn't do.

I don't understand why anyone would think saying sorry for this would make everything okay? By denying, and pretending like it never happened, previous governments have avoided this problem.

Sure, apologizing was probably the most ethical thing to do, but considering the hip pocket, I would have rathered that Kevin Rudd follow the trend of previous PMs and continue to turn the blind eye.

[costargh]

Jeff, the apology has no legal ramifications from what I understand from it because it was said in Parliament and anything said in Parliament can not be used in Court.

Indigenous Australians could commence litigation with or without the apology and it already has happened in the past few years. Therefore the "ethical" considerations outweigh the perceived "compensation" claim because regardless of the apology, litigation can and has been commencing.

[Eriny]

Besides, anyone who was abused while they were a ward of the state is entitled to compensaion. It's simply a legal matter.

[bucket]

Jeff, the apology has no legal ramifications from what I understand from it because it was said in Parliament and anything said in Parliament can not be used in Court.

Indigenous Australians could commence litigation with or without the apology and it already has happened in the past few years. Therefore the "ethical" considerations outweigh the perceived "compensation" claim because regardless of the apology, litigation can and has been commencing.

Did you even read the article?
They didn't say that they were using the apology in court, they said that if they do NOT get compensation, more numbers will go to court to argue that their lives were ruined due to the act of government action. They were using it as a threat.

Besides, anyone who was abused while they were a ward of the state is entitled to compensaion. It's simply a legal matter.

The fact that they were taken from their parents and their heritage is abuse enough, whole lives was ruined, the majority never found their parents again, so if we get what, thousands of people going to court and taking million dollar claims, where does that leave us?

[costargh]

Yes, "if compensation did not accompany the federal government's historic apology last week".
My point is, regardless of the apology they could always launch a series of legal claims for damages .
Therefore, what is the cost of apologizing?

[Mao]

Yes, "if compensation did not accompany the federal government's historic apology last week".
My point is, regardless of the apology they could always launch a series of legal claims for damages .
Therefore, what is the cost of apologizing?

Rudd did promise more things for housing, healthcare and education, this is the cost of apologizing.
unless of course, it's another one of Rudd's empty wishes, like the Internet, like the laptop...

[jamesdrv]

The fact that they were taken from their parents and their heritage is abuse enough, whole lives was ruined, the majority never found their parents again, so if we get what, thousands of people going to court and taking million dollar claims, where does that leave us?

Even those who strongly support compensation are being realistic about the amount that can be claimed (I saw one advocate on Sky News suggesting something around $50,000). It certainly wouldn't be anywhere near $1 million per person. I think compensation is justified given the trauma and suffering caused, even if it was inflicted by previous governments.

[costargh]

Yes, "if compensation did not accompany the federal government's historic apology last week".
My point is, regardless of the apology they could always launch a series of legal claims for damages .
Therefore, what is the cost of apologizing?

Rudd did promise more things for housing, healthcare and education, this is the cost of apologizing.
unless of course, it's another one of Rudd's empty wishes, like the Internet, like the laptop...

That's NOT a cost!!!
That is simply Rudd implementing policy which he devised (or simply stated) prior to the election. Is every policy that is implemented a cost? Financially speaking, you may say yes. But how about the benefits? An Australia where Aboriginals don't die 13 or so years before non-indigenous people. Better access to education. Better opportunities for aboriginals in society!
These things are not the by-product of the apology! This is his policy and in my opinion it's far overdue!

[Collin Li]

How about the hidden trauma and suffering that minimum wages cause to the long term unemployed?

How about the hidden trauma and suffering that protectionist tariffs and quotas cause to the low income consumer?

How about the hidden trauma and suffering that students go through when zoned to a poor public school?

Such government interventions are mistakes, they should correct their mistakes, be deeply regretful and apologetic and move on. Compensation is only going to hurt the middle class - putting pressure on the budget, and hence upwards pressure on taxation.

[costargh]

I see the point you are making Coblin. Government intervention has caused trauma for a large proportion of Australians. Why isn't everyone who has been the victim of government intervention and government policy entitled to damages?

[jamesdrv]

How about the hidden trauma and suffering that minimum wages cause to the long term unemployed?

How about the hidden trauma and suffering that protectionist tariffs and quotas cause to the low income consumer?

How about the hidden trauma and suffering that students go through when zoned to a poor public school?

Such government interventions are mistakes, they should correct their mistakes, be deeply regretful and apologetic and move on. Compensation is only going to hurt the middle class - putting pressure on the budget, and hence upwards pressure on taxation.

We’ve had consecutive budget surpluses since 2001, with the most recent being $10.6 billion. Would a reasonable payout in compensation really apply upward pressure on taxation? I don't believe that is logical (perhaps if each claim was for an extortionate amount).

I'm not sure what relevance the rest of your post has, but I agree with you - minimum wages can erode cost-competitiveness and hence lower employment opportunities, protectionist tariffs and quotas can be barriers to greater efficiency, and zoning laws are not fair (I know, I nearly got kicked out of my first high school because of them).

[brendan]

Kevin Rudd speaks about apology one year on
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25048143-12377,00.html

As for me, I am still not sorry, I have no guilt.