Apology: British Media Praises Rudd

Feb 13, 2008

The London newspaper, The Independent, has praised Kevin Rudd for the apology to the stolen generations.

This is the text of the editorial from The Independent.

The Independent

The Courage To Right A Historic Wrong

Politicians who match their words to their deeds are hardly ten a penny these days. And, even when they do appear on our horizon, their words and deeds are all too often designed to court cheap popularity. So it is heartening to find a recently-elected leader who is so quickly and determinedly putting his campaign pledges into practice, even those that may not have appealed to every voter. Step forward Kevin Rudd, the Prime Minister of Australia. [Read more…]

Filed Under: A.L.P., Indigenous, Rudd Tagged With: , , ,

Brendan Nelson Supports Stolen Generations Apology

Feb 13, 2008

The Leader of the Opposition, Brendan Nelson, has spoken in support of the motion offering an apology to the Stolen Generations.

  • Listen to Nelson’s Address (21m)
  • Watch Nelson’s Address:

Text of Brendan Nelson’s Address to Parliament on the Apology to the Stolen Generations.

Mr Speaker, members of this 42nd Parliament of Australia, visitors and all Australians.

In rising to speak in support of this motion, I recognise the Ngunnawal, first peoples of this Canberra land.

Today our nation crosses a threshold. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Audio, House of Reps, Indigenous, Liberal Party, Video Tagged With: , ,

Kevin Rudd’s Speech On The Apology To The Stolen Generations

Feb 13, 2008

The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has moved the motion of apology to the Stolen Generations, at a sitting of the House of Representatives at 9am today.

  • Listen to Rudd’s Address:
  • Watch Rudd’s Address (30m)
  • Watch the full broadcast (58m)

This is the text of Kevin Rudd’s Address on the motion of apology to the Stolen Generations.

I move that 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. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2007 Federal Election, A.L.P., Audio, House of Reps, Indigenous, Prime Minister, Rudd, Video Tagged With: , ,

Full Text Of Official Apology To Stolen Generations

Feb 12, 2008

This is the full text of the apology to the Stolen Generations to be presented to the Australian Parliament at 9am on Wednesday 13 February.

Text of the Apology to the Stolen Generations.

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 the fathers, the brothers and the 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 Australians.

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 failed.

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, Australia.

Filed Under: Indigenous, Parliament, Rudd Tagged With: , ,
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