[Greens-Media] URGENT: Move to amend apology motion to include compensation - Brown

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

** Please ignore the press release titled: Compensation should follow
apology: Brown
Immediately after releasing the above press release our office received
the official text of the apology motion and this press release replaces
it**

Tuesday, 12 February 2008

Move to amend apology motion to include compensation - Brown

Greens Leader Bob Brown will today give notice of the following
amendment to the apology motion, which will be presented to the Senate
tomorrow morning.

The amendment alters the tenth sentence of the apology to read: 

		We the Parliament of Australia, commit to offering just
compensation to all those who suffered loss, and respectfully request
that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as
part of the healing of the nation.

"Reparations must flow from the apology," Senator Brown said.

"The fact that Mr Rudd has said no to compensation doesn't mean that
that will be the final outcome."

The Tasmanian government, Opposition and Greens have agreed to support
to pay $5 million in reparations for past wrongs.

"Indigenous people should be invited onto the central floor of the
parliament to hear this apology and to respond," Senator Brown said,

"If it's good enough for George Bush to be brought onto the floor of the
parliament, then how much better to invite our First Australians - they
have a far greater claim," Senator Brown said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603




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Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185	

Visit Bob's new myspace site at:
www.myspace.com/bobbrowngreens