"On behalf of the government of Australia, I am sorry."

Today, the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia formally apologised to the Stolen Generations.

 

( A bit of background... )

Well, it’s been a long time coming, but Kevin Rudd kept his promise, and in the first week of parliament, we finally saw the leader of the Australian government apologies for the monstrous wrongs committed against the Aboriginal people. The denials and petty refusals of the Howard era are over; those who suffered as a result of the racist policies of the Australian government directed against them and their families have finally heard the word ‘sorry’ from the Australian government.

Denial of the Stolen Generation is no longer in the political mainstream; reconciliation is finally possible again. There is still much to be done to repair the damages of the past; much to be done to improve the place of indigenous Australians. Let us hope that the Rudd government is willing to go beyond the apology to truly compensate the Aboriginal peoples for all that past governments thoughtlessly destroyed.

John Howard was noticeable for his absence; as all the other living Prime Ministers of the past gathered to observe this historic day, the rodent was – where? I’m actually glad he decided not to make an appearance; after a decade of refusing to apologise under any circumstances, he had no right to be there. Still, his refusal to attend was a petty act, as suits a petty little man.

Mr. Rudd’s speech was perfect; accepting the injustices of the past, putting a human face on the tragedy, while still always looking to the future. Brendan Nelson’s speech was an incoherent mess – it’s important he said something, to show the opposition and the government stand together on this, especially after Abbot’s earlier statements that he believed ‘many [children] were helped and some were rescued’, or Wilson Tuckey’s boycott… still, it was a terrible speech. At least it ended on the right note: “We are sorry.”

I have to say, if I was one of the stolen, or one of the parents who lost their children, I doubt I’d ever be able to accept an apology. Maybe I’m just not a forgiving sort of person, but the whole situation that Aborigines were forced into is the stuff of nightmares. I don’t think it’s ever possible to atone for such things…

But there’s a difference between ‘cannot atone’ and ‘will not atone’. It is such a little thing, to acknowledge that wrongs were committed – but it’s a good first step. I’m proud our government has finally taken it, and saddened that it took so long to do so little…

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s Speech

Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson’s Speech