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Australia apology to Aborigines Australia apology to Aborigines
(30 minutes later)
The Australian government has made a formal apology for the past wrongs inflicted by successive governments on the indigenous Aboriginal population.The Australian government has made a formal apology for the past wrongs inflicted by successive governments on the indigenous Aboriginal population.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologised in parliament in the capital, Canberra, for the laws and polices that inflicted "profound grief, suffering and loss".Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologised in parliament in the capital, Canberra, for the laws and polices that inflicted "profound grief, suffering and loss".
Mr Rudd also singled out the "Stolen Generations" of thousands of children forcibly removed from their families.Mr Rudd also singled out the "Stolen Generations" of thousands of children forcibly removed from their families.
On Tuesday, parliament began a new session with an Aboriginal welcome.On Tuesday, parliament began a new session with an Aboriginal welcome.
In a special ceremony in Members Hall, Aboriginal elder Matilda House handed a symbolic message stick to Mr Rudd and spoke of "the hope of a united nation through reconciliation".In a special ceremony in Members Hall, Aboriginal elder Matilda House handed a symbolic message stick to Mr Rudd and spoke of "the hope of a united nation through reconciliation".
"Today we begin with one small step to set right the wrongs of the past," Mr Rudd said afterwards."Today we begin with one small step to set right the wrongs of the past," Mr Rudd said afterwards.
'Indignity and degradation''Indignity and degradation'
In a motion presented to Australian MPs on Wednesday morning, Mr Rudd acknowledged the "past mistreatment" of all of his country's Aboriginal population. In a motion passed by Australian MPs on Wednesday morning, Mr Rudd acknowledged the "past mistreatment" of all of his country's Aboriginal population.
For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry Text of parliamentary motion For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry Text of parliamentary motion class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7242057.stm">Full text of apology
"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," the motion said."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," the motion said.
However, the motion also singled out the Stolen Generations of young Aboriginal children who were taken from their parents in a policy of assimilation which lasted from the 19th Century to the late 1960s. However, Mr Rudd also singled out the Stolen Generations of young Aboriginal children who were taken from their parents in a policy of assimilation which lasted from the 19th Century to the late 1960s.
"For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry," the motion added. "For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry," he added.
"To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, 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."
Aborigines are the most disadvantaged sector of society
"For the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.""For the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry."
Australia has no Aboriginal members in parliament, but 100 leaders of the community and members of the Stolen Generations were present for the historic apology.Australia has no Aboriginal members in parliament, but 100 leaders of the community and members of the Stolen Generations were present for the historic apology.
Aborigines are the most disadvantaged sector of society
The parliamentary session was also shown live on television as well as on a series of screens erected in cities across the country to allow crowds to watch.The parliamentary session was also shown live on television as well as on a series of screens erected in cities across the country to allow crowds to watch.
The government hopes the apology will repair the breach between white and black Australia. The government hopes the apology will repair the breach between white and black Australia and usher in a new era of recognition and reconciliation.
The BBC's Nick Bryant in Canberra, however, says the refusal to accompany it with any compensation has angered many aboriginal leaders. The initial reaction was positive, with everyone of parliament standing to applaud Mr Rudd after he finished his speech. There were also cheers from the thousands of Australians watching outside.
The BBC's Nick Bryant in Canberra, however, says the refusal to accompany it with any compensation has angered many Aboriginal leaders, who have called it a "cut-price sorry".
New agendaNew agenda
The previous Prime Minister, John Howard, refused to apologise to members of the Stolen Generations, a position which chimes with about 30% of the population, according to the polls. The previous Prime Minister, John Howard, refused for over a decade to apologise to members of the Stolen Generations, a position which chimes with about 30% of the population, according to the polls.
But the Liberal Party he led until last November's election has now decided to alter its stance, so all sides will take part in the apology.But the Liberal Party he led until last November's election has now decided to alter its stance, so all sides will take part in the apology.
Mr Rudd's agenda, also outlined in parliament on Tuesday, included a commitment to close the 17-year life expectancy gap between Aborigines and other Australians within a generation, was well as halving Aboriginal infant mortality rates within a decade.Mr Rudd's agenda, also outlined in parliament on Tuesday, included a commitment to close the 17-year life expectancy gap between Aborigines and other Australians within a generation, was well as halving Aboriginal infant mortality rates within a decade.
Australia's 460,000 Aborigines make up 2% of the population and are the most disadvantaged group.Australia's 460,000 Aborigines make up 2% of the population and are the most disadvantaged group.
They have higher rates of infant mortality, drug abuse, alcoholism and unemployment than the rest of the population.They have higher rates of infant mortality, drug abuse, alcoholism and unemployment than the rest of the population.