fibula
02-13-2008, 01:40 AM
Rudd to apologise for 'grief, suffering'
February 13, 2008 04:09am
PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd will this morning say sorry to the stolen generations, apologising for the "profound grief, suffering and loss" inflicted on generations of indigenous men and women.
The 344-word apology, based on extensive consultation with indigenous groups, honours Australia's Aborigines, "the oldest continuing cultures in human history", and uses the word sorry three times.
"We reflect on their past mistreatment," the apology says.
"We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were stolen generations, this blemished chapter in our nation's history."
Mr Rudd yesterday tabled the wording of the apology and will this morning stand up in the parliament to say sorry on behalf of the nation.
The Government has invited 100 representatives of the stolen generations to Canberra as guests of the Commonwealth to witness the long-awaited, historic event.
And hundreds, if not thousands, more indigenous Australians have descended on Canberra to witness the apology, which comes more than a decade after the Bringing Them Home report.
That report documented the stories of some of the tens of thousands of Aboriginal children taken from their families by governments between 1910 and the early 1970s.
Giant screens have been erected on the front lawns of Parliament House for the public to watch as the Mr Rudd and Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson speak to the motion.
Aboriginal groups have welcomed the content of the apology, with peak body Reconciliation Australia describing it as extremely moving.
Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation national director Gary Highland said the apology had a sincerity and a genuineness which the public will respond to warmly.
"I really hope that all Australians will take the time to listen to what's being said tomorrow, and reflect on all elements of Australian history, both good and bad," he said.
The Opposition, which was given the text about two hours before Mr Rudd tabled it, will support the apology, which says a new page in Australia's history can now be written.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23206227-5005941,00.html
February 13, 2008 04:09am
PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd will this morning say sorry to the stolen generations, apologising for the "profound grief, suffering and loss" inflicted on generations of indigenous men and women.
The 344-word apology, based on extensive consultation with indigenous groups, honours Australia's Aborigines, "the oldest continuing cultures in human history", and uses the word sorry three times.
"We reflect on their past mistreatment," the apology says.
"We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were stolen generations, this blemished chapter in our nation's history."
Mr Rudd yesterday tabled the wording of the apology and will this morning stand up in the parliament to say sorry on behalf of the nation.
The Government has invited 100 representatives of the stolen generations to Canberra as guests of the Commonwealth to witness the long-awaited, historic event.
And hundreds, if not thousands, more indigenous Australians have descended on Canberra to witness the apology, which comes more than a decade after the Bringing Them Home report.
That report documented the stories of some of the tens of thousands of Aboriginal children taken from their families by governments between 1910 and the early 1970s.
Giant screens have been erected on the front lawns of Parliament House for the public to watch as the Mr Rudd and Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson speak to the motion.
Aboriginal groups have welcomed the content of the apology, with peak body Reconciliation Australia describing it as extremely moving.
Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation national director Gary Highland said the apology had a sincerity and a genuineness which the public will respond to warmly.
"I really hope that all Australians will take the time to listen to what's being said tomorrow, and reflect on all elements of Australian history, both good and bad," he said.
The Opposition, which was given the text about two hours before Mr Rudd tabled it, will support the apology, which says a new page in Australia's history can now be written.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23206227-5005941,00.html