Australian PM says "sorry" to the indigenous "stolen generation".

This morning PM Kevin Rudd delivered the much awaited "sorry speech" to the indigenous people of Australia, one of his key promises in the recent election campaign.

Up until the 1970's aboriginal children were taken from their mothers and brought up in many cases by religious organisations, which broke up families and destroyed their lives. It was the law that aboriginal children be taken from their parents, especially "half caste" children, and there was talk of destroying the aboriginal race by encouraging interbreeding with white Australians.

There are horrific stories of the way these children were rounded up by the authorities of the time, and the children were taken away for "education". Many of them were indeed given education, but most girls were then sent to work as domestic servants at the age of 16.

In the Australian Parliament this morning, Kevin Rudd read his speech, saying sorry. It is a day of great celerbation for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, in the hope that we can move forward as Australians all, and worth together to improve the education, health, and life expectancy of the indigenous peoples.

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It was a momentous day

Submitted by Elly on Wed, 2008-02-13 14:57.

It is not just John Howard that did not apologise, but previous Prime Ministers who refused. One of the concerns for them was the prospect of compensation and the challenges in more ways than one that could result. As it is now Mr Rudd has groups already demanding financial compensation. And there are groups of white people who were "stolen" from their parents - often single mothers - who are now marginalised because because they had similar experiences to the aboriginals. I do hope though that the hatred of whites will disipate now, and that the many indigenous people will find a way to forgive and forget and be part of mainstream society to some degree.

Elly

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We have had our share...

Submitted by huttriver12 on Wed, 2008-02-13 16:17.

of compensation through our Waitangi Tribunal. I actually believe the British Government should be making compensation for land seizures in the 19th century. Much of the compensation has been public land and some cash to compensate.

Australia is different of course, because so much of the aboriginal land is where mineral deposits are today. NZ doesn't have much mineral wealth.

As long as the Aussie government puts money into targeted areas of education, health,family support and job creation things should improve for the aboriginal people; rather than oiling the most sqeakiest locks!

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I'm very pleased for your aboriginal people...

Submitted by huttriver12 on Wed, 2008-02-13 01:18.

and your society that Mr Rudd has apologised for the actions of previous generations of Australian leaders and even ordinary Australians. What I can't accept or understand was John Howard' refusal to do so - it may have saved the election for him. Obviously nothing will change over night, but aboriginal people will feel a huge weight has been taken off them - it can be accepted that the old White Australia label has well and truly been thrown in the trash can!

I know that some wonderful Australians have worked away behind the scenes for decades for change. I also know that some bigoted Australians will never change or accept change,too, that is human nature. Despite all the changes here in NZ, some do not approve.

The future can only get better for Australia, and there will be a closer joining together of the Anzacs.

My congratulations to Mr Rudd and the new Labor Government.

Cheers,

Peter

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