Saying sorry to Indigenous Australians

[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?

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

Especially around the Collingwood/Fitzroy area and more specific the safeway on smith st. Those are the ones that damage the image of the well behaved and mannered aborigines. They harass people 99% of the time while high or drunk.

[Eriny]

It's silly to generalise an entire race on the actions of a few.

[enwiabe]

It's also silly to assert that it's a choice they've made, and not something that's borne out of the culture in which they're brought up (thanks very much to the Australian government, past AND present... although the present is taking steps to rectify this)

[brendan]

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/bfull-textb/2008/02/12/1202760291188.html

Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history.

We reflect on their past mistreatment.

We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were stolen generations - this blemished chapter in our nation's history.

The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.

We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.

We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.

For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.

To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.

And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.

We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation.

For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written.

We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians.

A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again.

A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.

A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed.

A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility.

A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia.

[ninwa]

Excellent - about time!

[brendan]

its so uninspiring compared to the 'i have a dream speech'. we don't have an inspiring constitution or declaration of independence to quote

[costargh]

I don't need a politician to inspire me. I look to other avenues

[Rietie]

Our politics class is going to watch the speech live on tv tomorrow morning. Although, our politics teacher is the yr12 coordinator and will most likely make the whole year level watch. I'm very excited.

[Nick]

I am so relieved that this is finally happening! It's definitely the first stage of a properly orchestrated reconciliation process. It gives the nation a chance to finally commence a journey whereby we can move on from the attrocities of the past. Given that John Howard, obsessed with his economic credibility, lacked the moral conscience to produce a declaration such as this, I think it's fantastic that Kevin Rudd has the integrity and compassion to make this brave move.

[Nick]

its so uninspiring compared to the 'i have a dream speech'. we don't have an inspiring constitution or declaration of independence to quote

Why does that even matter? Seriously, recognise it for what it is worth. Not how inspiring it is!

[Rietie]

its so uninspiring compared to the 'i have a dream speech'. we don't have an inspiring constitution or declaration of independence to quote

I think people forget the Martin Luther King was an *extremely* talented speech writer and a brilliant orator. You just won't find people that talented in every department in the government. Martin Luther King was a once in a lifetime person and you just shouldn't expect a PM to make such a speech.

[Nick]

I don't think the Aborigines are expecting a speech which can be likened to that anyway.

[Eriny]

I like it, it's what I think a "sorry" speech should be. It's no "I have a dream", but Kevin Rudd isn't exactly orchestrating an uprising, he's apologising - the occassion calls for a more subdued tone.

[Nick]

After watching the telecast this morning, I thought the PM expressed himself brilliantly. It's good that he has recognised not only the symbolism of the event but the necessity of implementing practical strategies.

I was disappointed with Nelson when he claimed, "there should be no guilt". Apparently this was met with disgust by many Aborigines in Canberra. It has been noted that many people turned away from the screen when he began his speech.

[bilgia]

yeah that wasn't something they wanted to hear.