BS: At last! 'Sorry!'

Subject: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: Rowan
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 03:23 PM

Eleven years after the "Stolen Generations" Report. the new Government and Parliament apologise.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology motion has been tabled in Parliament:

Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history. We reflect on their past mistreatment. We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations – this blemished chapter in our nation's history.

The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.

We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians. We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.

For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.

To the mothers and fathers, the brothers and sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.

And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.

We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation. For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written. We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australian.

A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again. A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity. A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have changed.

A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility.

A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country.

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: MMario
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 03:24 PM

? Did they apologize or did the motion get tabled? You say both...

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: Rowan
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 03:37 PM

The excitement got to me MMario.
The text of the motion was released last night (Eastern Oz Summer Time), has been tabled in the House of Reps and will be spoken to by the Prime Minister in the House in about 80 minutes' time. The only other speaker will be the Leader of the Opposition.

It's a majot event, with the ABC Radio National broadcasting commentary and interviews from Parliament House and the Sorry is being nationally televised. Given the history of the previous Prime Minister the Sorry is a major historic event.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: jeffp
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 03:40 PM

Mmario:

Tabled means a totally different thing in the British nations. It means entered for action, or something like that. Here in the states, tabled means put aside for no action. Your confusion is understandable.

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: jeffp
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 03:40 PM

Mmario:

Tabled means a totally different thing in the British nations. It means entered for action, or something like that. Here in the states, tabled means put aside for no action. Your confusion is understandable.

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: Rowan
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 04:04 PM

The radio news just now mentioned that all living (Oz) Prime Ministers "except John Howard" will be in Parliament to witness the apology.

I can't recall anyone accusing John Howard of magnanimity but even I didn't think he'd be so openly mean spirited.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 05:41 PM

Well, if W isn't going to be there why should Howard attend?

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 05:48 PM

Some way to go, but it's a start. The longest road begins with a single step. Well done, Rudd!

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: Rowan
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 06:37 PM

I've heard the stories before and I don't regard myself as particularly emotional but Rudd's speech had me in tears.

A start indeed!

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 07:05 PM

I was surprised by the statemanlike quality of Brendan Nelson's response speech. Trying to drag a party back from the stone age is a hard task for a leader. Unappreciated by some, to the extent of a slow handclap and walkout, were his comments that he feels no guilt and nor should anyone alive today.

Unknown to me was the fact that he himself was 'stolen' from his own teenage mother. This makes his comments that removal was, and still is the method of dealing with 'children at risk', more meaningful.

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: Rowan
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 10:28 PM

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

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: Janie
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 10:46 PM

Thanks for sharing this, Rowan.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: Rowan
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 11:51 PM

The Hansard of Rudd's speech has become available. And there is, apparently, a video of it at the Sydney Morning Herald website.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 11:59 PM

Progress. It takes so long, but we human beans can and do progress.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Feb 08 - 12:43 AM

I would highly recommend the movie I mentioned in the other thread, "Rabbit Proof Fence."

It doesn't seem like enough, but it is a start.

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: John O'L
Date: 13 Feb 08 - 01:08 AM

It was a unique and very moving occasion.

Nelson's reference to war heroes had me a little mystified as to relevence but when he started talking up the invasion of remote communities conducted by the previous government I cringed.

Yes, 'Rabbit Proof Fence' is a film I'd recommend to anyone.

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: freda underhill
Date: 13 Feb 08 - 01:31 AM

It was a very powerful speech and a great moment for Australia.Like you I watched it at work, Rowan, and was moved and inspired. Kevin Rudd said very clearly that the removals were the result of a past parliamentary decision and government legislation, therefore, an apology needed to be made by the current parliament. He went into details about the appalling policy of forced removal, and made it clear that the apology would be hollow if not backed up by action to change and improve conditions for indigenous Australians.

freda

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 13 Feb 08 - 01:44 AM

letter to the editor in today's Sydney Morning Herald
---------
Brendan Nelson says the apology to Aborigines should have been finalised sooner. So true. Without people like him it would have been finalised many years sooner. Only a week or so ago Mr Nelson was saying grocery prices had a higher priority.
---------

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 13 Feb 08 - 01:51 AM

An excellent speech. Are payments of reparations under consideration ?

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: Mr Happy
Date: 13 Feb 08 - 06:09 AM

This http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=eWjGteDg9VE & more, on You Tube.

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 06:51 AM

Sorry, but why are they arguing?

1.3m tuned in to watch apology

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 01:57 PM

Rabbit Proof Fences is an amazing film on the subject......

On NPR this am they interviewed a 'man in the street' who basically said the aborigines should be grateful for the actions that were taken as it 'educated them and made them fit to live in our society.....!' (The exclamation mark is mine!

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 03:25 PM

It nice to hear of another giant step forward.

No doubt there is lots more work to be done, and no longer will the opposition hold the high ground.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 09:29 PM

latest on The Apology

Good comment on Brendan Nelson, Leader of the Opposition in yesterday's letters to the Editor - There are 3 certainties - Death, Taxes & that Brendan Nelson will not be Prime Minister of Australia.

He was almost the only choice left when the surviving members of the depleted Opposition met after Little Johnny lost his seat in the November election. Many previously ambitious survivors decided not to contest the leadership & Nelson got the poisoned chalice.

One of our cartoonists has taken Brendan Nelson's hair off his head & sent it on its own travels! While there aren't as many good political cartoons (ie. cartoons I decide to add to my collection) since the election, I do manage to add a few on occasion.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: Riginslinger
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 09:33 PM

Heard the Prime Minister's speach on the BBC, it was gut-wrenching, but is there any follow up? I mean, is it enough to say "sorry" and just go on from there?

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 10:09 PM

Bravo. Well done. That's a powerful moment in the history of Australia, and I'm glad it has finally come.

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: Rowan
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 11:07 PM

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

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 15 Feb 08 - 01:04 AM

'Nelson stole my words' in sorry speech

OPPOSITION leader Brendan Nelson has been accused of ripping off a woman's words in his controversial speech on the apology to the Aboriginal population.

Faye Lynam, a member of the stolen Generations who now lives in the northern Victorian town of Shepparton, slammed Brendan Nelson's speech, which used her own history in an attempt to justify that some "good" came about from the removal of Aboriginal children.

Subject: RE: BS: At last! 'Sorry!'
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Feb 08 - 02:31 AM

I heard Mrs Lynam speaking this morning, not only was she upset because her story was used without her permission, it had also been twisted to show she had not been badly affected after being taken from her family.