Brendan Nelson's response speech.
Unappreciated by some ... were his comments that he feels no guilt and nor should anyone alive today.

I've never been convinced that "guilt" is the proper word in this discussion. I've always ackowledged that I can accept guilt properly only for those things for which I've been responsible and, while I've never acted in a way that incurs guilt I have been the beneficiary of ancestors' (and others') actions that, if done now, would be regarded as reprehensible.

I thought Rudd's speech to the motion dealt with the concept quite properly when he said words to the effect that, if we accept the benefits of our predecessors' attitudes and actions we must also accept their burdens. At no time did he use the word guilt in connection with the concept.

I was part of a group at my workplace that gathered to watch the televised broadcast of the two speeches and the whole group was visibly moved. One, an ex Canadian, was in serious tears at what the apology represented in Oz how this event might be received in Canada and wanted the transcript from me to send back to his friends; he reckoned Indigenous Canadians are in need of a similar apology.

Therre are other comments on the apology in the "Folklore: 1967 Aboriginal Referendum (Aus) " thread above the line.

Cheers, Rowan