There have been number of apologies to the Aboriginals all over Australia including:
- 27th May 1997- Western Australian Legislative Assembly proposed by Dr Geoff Gallop
- 17th September 1997- Victorian Legislative Assembly proposed by Premier Jeff Kennett
And many more...
However John Howard, prime minister at the time, rejected the idea of making a formal apology to Aboriginals all over the country for the time of 'The Stolen Generation' saying that 'Australians of this generation should not be required to accept guilt and blame for past actions and policies over which they had no control'. Over the next decade of being prime minister, he continued refusing to make an apology.
Australians have expressed their feelings through signing 'sorry' books, recording their apologies electronically and on May 26 1998, participating in activities on the first National Sorry Day. Ever since then, May 26 has been a day where people acknowledged the hardship and injustice that The Stolen Generation had caused for Aboriginal families everywhere.
- 27th May 1997- Western Australian Legislative Assembly proposed by Dr Geoff Gallop
- 17th September 1997- Victorian Legislative Assembly proposed by Premier Jeff Kennett
And many more...
However John Howard, prime minister at the time, rejected the idea of making a formal apology to Aboriginals all over the country for the time of 'The Stolen Generation' saying that 'Australians of this generation should not be required to accept guilt and blame for past actions and policies over which they had no control'. Over the next decade of being prime minister, he continued refusing to make an apology.
Australians have expressed their feelings through signing 'sorry' books, recording their apologies electronically and on May 26 1998, participating in activities on the first National Sorry Day. Ever since then, May 26 has been a day where people acknowledged the hardship and injustice that The Stolen Generation had caused for Aboriginal families everywhere.
The Apology, 13 February 2008
On this day at 9am, Labor Party leader and prime minister at the time Kevin Rudd delivered an apology to The Stolen Generations. This speech was broadcasted live on television throughout the whole of Australia. This was a very special day to those whose families had to go through this terrible time.
In March 2008, the Commonwealth Government announced 'closing the gap' between the Indigenous and non- indigenous of Australia. This policy, along with the Apology seemed to change the relationship between the Aboriginals and the Commonwealth Government.
On this day at 9am, Labor Party leader and prime minister at the time Kevin Rudd delivered an apology to The Stolen Generations. This speech was broadcasted live on television throughout the whole of Australia. This was a very special day to those whose families had to go through this terrible time.
In March 2008, the Commonwealth Government announced 'closing the gap' between the Indigenous and non- indigenous of Australia. This policy, along with the Apology seemed to change the relationship between the Aboriginals and the Commonwealth Government.
"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." -Kevin Rudd |
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Sources
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TZOGpG6cM
- Retroactive 10 Australian Curriculum for History book by Maureen Anderson, Ian Keese, Anne Low and Brian Hoepper
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TZOGpG6cM
- Retroactive 10 Australian Curriculum for History book by Maureen Anderson, Ian Keese, Anne Low and Brian Hoepper