Crisb92 Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 "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 the 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." PM Kevin Rudd This is one of the first actions of the new Australian Prime Minister, he has taken the first step towards unifying our great country. He has achieved something that for the past decade has been brushed to one side. Placed in the too hard basket, if you will. Kevin Rudd marks the end of an era, more than a decade of a Liberal government headed by John Howard. In the end, I feel the election came down to a single point, with Rudd and Labor we looked to the future, with Howard we stayed in the past. Whether or not Kevin Rudd's election promises come to fruition, whether or not he, as he stated, closes the gap between Indigenous and non-indigenous people in this country, he has taken the first step in healing the grief and pain that was imposed upon the Stolen Generation so many years ago. I for one hopes that he carries this policy through, even if others fail. Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chesto Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Amen. Could it be, Cris, that you Australians have yet one more rare beastie to add to your already weird menagerie : a political leader with integrity? I shall avoid seeing , from now on, any more Ozzy political news because I don't think I could take yet another dissapointment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sativarg Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Thanks for relating this news.I hope that this type of healing can spread to all the nations with populations of displaced and abused peoples. The benefits are universal when humanity truly evolves beyond cruelty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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