I'm sorry too - and the wording of the address

[Proud Pies]

I wasn't responsible for the atrocities meted out to the indiginous people of Australia.

I wasn't responsible for the stolen generations

I am however, sorry that these things happened.

I agree wholeheartedly with the wording of the Australian Parliament's apology.



Text of PM Rudd's 'sorry' address


February 12, 2008 - 6:18PM

[stui magpie]

He's spent the time consulting on the wording well. I have no objection to either the content nor the sentiment on first reading. Fair enough.

[John Wren]

i am, you are, we are australian.

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

I'm pretty comfortable with that.

[sherrife]

It's not hard to sound sincere, passionate and dedicated is it?

It would be a great speech if we thought Rudd actually wanted to solve those problems. It would be great if he genuinely did want to find innovative , "new solutions" and invest in programs decided upon through "mutual" consultation with Indigenous people.

The reality is that it's hollow rhetoric; all flourish, no substance.

[David]

Fairly noble sentiments, and it's hard to disagree with anything he says.
But, just a comment on this passage:

[Zakal]

[Morrigu]

And about time too!!!


David and Sheriffe you respond with cynicism yet this is an apology and sentiment that could have and should have been expressed many years ago had any of the previous political powers- irrelevant of party deemed fit to do so – they didn’t and Rudd has – that for me is a huge step forward and at least a step in the right direction.

There is much to do but there has been some achievement – albeit small in the context of what is required. The NT health services and indigenous settlements I worked in as a nurse in the late 1980s are a far cry from those I returned to work in , in the late 1990s.

What I saw and experienced then was the elders particularly the women reclaiming the values of their folk and educating and socializing their young - providing an understanding of values and culture. There is a long way to go and the appropriate resources must be provided to continue to foster this and ensure that the most basic of human requirements – nutrition, health, housing and an education are made available to all Australians.

Ridding ourselves of the likes of Howard are a huge step in the right direction – the military intervention was and is an absolute disgrace!!!

I have no doubt you will respond with a pffft and some theoretical ideology - so be it! I form my opinions (and they are but my opinions) on my experience actually providing healthcare and living in remote indigenous communities – doesn’t make it right but sometimes books and theories don’t portray the real picture.

This apology is a step forward in the right direction!

[Zakal]

...im pretty sure Rudd supports the intervention and has pledged to continue it, so im not sure what getting rid of Howard has accomplished on that front.

So the actions are the same, only the words are different. Thats what David and Omar were talking about.

[Morrigu]

[joffa corfe]

[Proud Pies]

agree Morrigu,

David and sherrife, Rudd and his government, has been in the position of Prime Minister and Government, for less than 3 months and has achieved, what I believe to be the greatest achievement of any Australian Government EVER, in this apology.

It is only the beginning of the changes, and I believe that not only saying these words, but the actions spoken of WILL eventuate.

It won't happen overnight, but i believe it will happen.

i think it's a very important step forward and long long overdue. I will give my own minute's silence for this achievement in memory of all those of the stolen generations who are no longer with us, and for those who are, may they now be able to start healing.

[Proud Pies]

I've always been a great admirer of Michelle Gratton as a political reporter,

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/rudds-dramatic-step-moves-australia-forward/2008/02/12/1202760299871.html

Rudd's dramatic first step moves Australia forward

Comment Michelle Grattan
February 13, 2008
Advertisement

When people write the history of the Rudd Government, they will see as an early dramatic milestone the opening and second days of its first Parliament. Kevin Rudd's timing for the apology to indigenous Australia was just right.

This week the nation is taking a major step forward in its indigenous history. You could feel that in the mood around Parliament House yesterday, among both the indigenous and non-indigenous people there.

The Welcome to Country ceremony was the prelude to today's apology - the gesture that has been sought for so long and, in the end, is not so hard to make.

The phrasing of today's apology has been well crafted. It is to the point and blunt in its message, saying the word "sorry" three times. It apologises for "the laws and policies of successive parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss", and "especially for the removal of . . . children". It refers to "the mistreatment of those who were stolen generations" as "this blemished chapter in our nation's history".

Those who have not wanted to sign up to the apology will probably feel that it is too stark, failing to take into account the nuances - that wrongs were done with motives that were right in the minds of some of the perpetrators. But the nature of such an apology is that qualification would reduce the impact and diminish the gesture.

The essence of the message is: white Australia acknowledges the hurt that was imposed on black Australia and, by that acknowledgement, hopes that we can move to another stage in the quest for both reconciliation and tangible progress.

There will be some in Opposition ranks who will be swallowing hard as they support this motion. But the Coalition has leapt the wall; if it hadn't embraced the apology last week it would have done itself a lot of harm and ruined this week.

Brendan Nelson promised yesterday that any future parliamentary opening that he had anything to do with would include a Welcome to Country ceremony.

The "sorry" statement does not imply compensation; the Government is adamant about that. That issue will remain, however, and the Government will feel the heat over it.

The motion puts a lot of emphasis on other issues of the future, that "this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written".

The Parliament commits itself to ensuring that past injustices are never repeated. It does not use the term "practical" reconciliation but Mr Rudd is as committed to that side of the process as was John Howard.

It highlights the need to "close the gap" between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity. It also brings in the modern concept - again embraced by both sides of politics - of "mutual responsibility", and looks hopefully to "the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed".

That, of course, is the nub of things for the future. Finding "new" and successful solutions in this vexed area has been a challenge that has eluded successive governments.

The apology will make a significant change to the atmosphere in which the often appalling reality is dealt with, but it doesn't alter that reality.

Mr Rudd has made an excellent and moving start in indigenous affairs. But it is just a beginning; progress from now on will take good hearts and tough policy minds.

[HAL]

Please repeat the word to me 5 times. What does use the term practical reconciliation but Mr Rudd is as committed to that side of the process as was John Howard ?

[Alec. J. Hidell]