[Greens-Media] Spam: Greens support an unreserved apology

[Norton, Tim (Sen R. Siewert)]

Greens support an unreserved apology
Friday 1st February 2008

The Australian Greens today indicated they support an unreserved apology
to the stolen generations, and criticised the Government for moving with
'undue haste' to rule out reparations.

"Bob Brown gave the Australian Greens' unreserved apology in the Senate
in 1997."

"The Government's has been a long time coming," said Senator Siewert
today.

"We are calling on the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin to
undertake an audit of the implementation of the Bringing them Home
report and then put to the parliament and the people a plan to
comprehensively address its recommendations." 

The ALP adopted Chapter 13 of its National Platform at their national
conference in June 2007 which provides for 'a comprehensive response to
the Bringing them Home report.'

"I was disappointed that Jenny Macklin moved to rule out a compensation
fund before consultations with the stolen generations had even begun,
overshadowing the goodwill that would accompany a national apology,"
said Senator Siewert.

"The Bringing them Home report clearly indicated that dealing with
issues of the loss and hurt caused by the trauma of forced removal is a
necessary step in the healing process and a major social determinant of
poor-health. It is not a case of either/or in dedicating funding to
'close the gap' on Indigenous health."

"This new era government has an opportunity to repair the mistakes of
the past, but there is still a long way to go. The real test for the
Rudd government will be how they tackle the issue of national and
regional representation," she concluded.

(Bob Brown's 1997 speech to the Senate is below.)
				 
Date: 28-05-1997
Database: Senate Hansard
Speaker: Brown, Sen Bob (AG, TAS)
SEPARATION OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER CHILDREN FROM THEIR
FAMILIES
Senator BROWN (Tasmania)(4.50 p.m.)

I add unreservedly from the Australian Greens an apology to the
Aboriginal people and, in particular, to those directly and indirectly
affected as the stolen generations. There is no way we can express the
awful tragedy at an individual and community level this policy wrought
upon the indigenous peoples of this country. There is now an opportunity
for us to reconsider and move into the future with an open heart and
with the recognition that that past should never again be allowed. The
way we can ensure that that past never be allowed again is by
continually revisiting it as part of our history, as part of Australian
history, that can never again be submerged.

The stolen generation's saga affects every corner of this country. It
affects the Aboriginal people of Tasmania as it affects the Aboriginal
people elsewhere around the country. We must move beyond the period of
apology, if we get there-and that is an apology unreservedly required
from the elected leader of this nation, the Prime Minister (Mr Howard),
on behalf of the nation, to reparations as yet to be determined. It is a
task for us all to undertake toward a future in which we draw strength
from the unity and diversity of this nation and from the enormous wealth
of this nation's indigenous peoples and their culture, and their
affinity for the vast lands of Australia.

It is imperative that we make that journey. On Monday, a great
opportunity was blighted by the cavilling and conditional words of the
Prime Minister. It was a moment of potential, positive, historic
landmarking. It was a moment that was failed by the Prime Minister. It
is an opportunity that rarely comes but, nevertheless, as he will know
from the response he has had nationally and not just from the meeting in
Melbourne, it is incumbent on him now to find the opportunity in the
near future to do what he failed to do adequately on Monday. I will be
amongst the many millions of other Australians who will support him, if
he rises to that moment in the near future.

For now, I support the opposition amendments. It is imperative that we
move to adopt the conclusions of this report. It is important that we
move to heal as best we can so this country can move forward united and
proud of the path we have put a light on into the next century.

For more information or comment call Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025
Email senator.siewert at aph.gov.au  |  http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au