Australia’s Apology to the Stolen Generations

On 13 February 2008, Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP, moved a motion of Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples in the Australian Parliament, which was unanimously passed and received a standing ovation from the floor of the House of Representatives.

"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 their 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.

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."

Although the Apology was to all of Australia’s Indigenous peoples, it was directed particularly toward those Indigenous Australians who as children were forcibly removed from their families under laws and policies of previous governments - known as the as the Stolen Generations.

The Apology was a powerful act of reconciliation and national healing, and sparked intense interest overseas. It was also an important step in Australia’s reconciliation journey, in bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to foster a shared understanding of Australia’s history.

The Australian Government is committed to building a genuine, sustained and constructive engagement and partnership with Indigenous people. The National Apology has helped to start to build that trust and good faith.

ENDS

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