Australia’s Apology To The Stolen Generations

First Anniversary Of Australia’s Apology To The Stolen Generations

February 13 2009 is the first anniversary of the motion of Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples.

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.

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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.

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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.

Reconciliation involves justice, recognition and healing. It is about helping all Australians move forward with a better understanding of the past and how the past affects the lives of Indigenous people today.

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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.

Since the Apology the Australian Government has continued to engage with Stolen Generations’ members and their families and representatives, for example, convening an Indigenous Healing Forum.

The Government’s priority is closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians through a new partnership based on respect, cooperation and mutual responsibility:

The Australian Government has held consultations with Indigenous people across the country on the establishment of a National Indigenous Representative Body to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a voice in national affairs.

A range of Australian Government and community-led activities have been planned to commemorate the anniversary.

ENDS

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