I mean, is it enough to say "sorry" and just go on from there?

Riginslinger, normally an apology would be followed immediately by a hue and cry for monetary and punitive compensation. In this case, the 'closed fist' rejection of even saying "Sorry" on the part of the previous government, along with its ideologically induced blindness about the dispossessed in general and indigenous people in particular, has elevated the whole concept to such a height that, for now, most people are just relieved that "Sorry" was said, without qualification on the first full Parliamentary day of the new government.

People with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestry in my community are, now, walking around beaming and straight-backed and most whiteys are similarly transformed. I suspect that the emotions of releif and celebration will run high for a little while yet.

There's no doubt that compensation will be sought and the govt has flagged the notion that various aspects of treatment will be changed for the better. Such "compensation' at the group and community level is almost guaranteed. Whether compensation at the personal level is achieved will, undoubtedly, become the next or next-but-one topic of discussion.

We live in hope.

Cheers, Rowan