Saying sorry to Indigenous Australians

[Eriny]

Does anyone hold any strong opinions in regard to saying sorry to Indigenous Australians?

Personally, I'm all for it for the following reasons:
1- If worded correctly, it's not saying "all this is my/our fault", it's more emblematic of the fact that wrongs were comitted in the past and that we all endevour to ensure those kinds of wrongs never happen again to any human being.
2- It will help with the reconciliation process and it means a lot to many individuals.
3- It means that we can hold the government responsible for also trying to make practical, positive difference to Indigenous communities. They can't say "sorry" and then pretend that problems in these communities don't exist because that would be seen as mere lip-service. They'd have to back it up with action and hopefully bettering the communities BY ACTUALLY CONSULTING THE PEOPLE WITHIN THEM.
4- Compensation probably won't be a big issue. sorry=/=money, although personally I'm for giving people who clearly deserve it some form of compensation, Tasmania at the moment already has a compensation package.

[memka]

While I wouldn't say I have a strong opinion on it, I definately think we should say sorry.

[enwiabe]

We should be ashamed that we descend from a recent generation that persecuted the aboriginals and stripped them of their basic human rights. It is not our fault, but in realising that grave crimes were committed and by accepting responsibility on behalf of Australia, we can progress forward in our relationship with the Aboriginals and hopefully rehabilitate their broken community back into mainstream society. Here's to the restoration of dignity to the Aboriginal people. Good on ya, Ruddy boy.

[brendan]

Ah the perils of government intervention

[enwiabe]

Nope, the perils of immorality.

[cara.mel]

I thought the general gist was:

-Saying that you are personally sorry about what happened is good because it shows you care etc yada yada
-The goverment saying sorry as a whole => accepting responsibility is bad because then they will be giving out money left right and centre because 1 person will win, then 100 others will try

[brendan]

Nope, the perils of immorality.

Immorality committed by government in the name of actually helping people

[costargh]

Apparently (Brendan may be able to confirm), Rudd saying 'sorry' cannot be used in court to sue the government because the 'sorry' will be said in parliament and any statements made in parliament are not punishable through court or questionable through courts.

[/0]

Why would people want to sue Rudd for saying sorry

[brendan]

Why would people want to sue Rudd for saying sorry

why else? $$$$$$$

[enwiabe]

Not suing Rudd, but the Australian government for compensation. If Rudd says sorry then the Aussie government takes responsibility for what happened to the Aborigines. And to be perfectly honest, why the fuck should they have to sue? The Australian government should be doing everything to help rehabilitate the downtrodden rural Aboriginal communites back into mainstream society. Some of the horror stories that I've heard from these rural areas really makes me wonder if the government gives a damn. And they bloody well should.

[Eriny]

Oh yeah, it's awful! A couple of years ago the grandaughter of Albert Namatjira was basically left to die after being raped. Apparently a bunch of people walked past and didn't do anything - she could have lived. Stories like that really do make me sick.

I don't know if all governments are immoral as such, although that probably is the default mode for them, they're only immoral when the voters let them be (or even, in the case of the stolen generation, encourage them to be). So if Australia gets together and really says to the government that life in these communities should change for the better, then it will change, they need the votes. I just hope that Australia actually cares.

[nak]

But the aborigines already receive extra payment from the government.. if they sue then that's just greedy
and what would they most likely spend that money on?

[excal]

But the aborigines already receive extra payment from the government.. if they sue then that's just greedy
and what would they most likely spend that money on?

That's a very shortsighted opinion.

[azhtey]

But the aborigines already receive extra payment from the government.. if they sue then that's just greedy
and what would they most likely spend that money on?

That's a very shortsighted opinion.

Has got a point though. I dont know if you walk down the street and see them but they are always sitting outside the bottleshop when i walk past...or boozing it up on the beach. Not all are like that but a fair few