Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I also rise to speak on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s momentous and long-overdue apology to the stolen generation—Indigenous Australians who were, sadly, the victims of one of the most shameful chapters in our nation’s history. Last year, Mr Rudd made the commitment that, if the Labor Party were to form government, he would take the important and historical step of saying sorry to the stolen generation for the pain and suffering they endured as a result of being forcibly separated from their families. Today he delivered on this commitment. Our Prime Minister said sorry on behalf of the government, on behalf of the Australian parliament and on behalf of the Australian people.

The significance of this important moment in our nation’s history should not be downplayed or lost. For many thousands of Indigenous Australians, both those with us and passed, this day has been a long time coming. Indeed, for the past 10 years the possibility of an apology has all but eluded us. However, the election of the Rudd Labor government last year not only put the issue back on the agenda but, as we have seen in the last couple of days, placed the apology to the stolen generation at the very top of the agenda. The significance of this event will no doubt be resounding for years to come, but for now its present and fresh importance should not be lost. It should be enjoyed and celebrated.

The atmosphere in Parliament House over the last two days has come to symbolise the immediate meaning of this event. There has been necessary reflection upon and acknowledgement of the past, but there is also a sense of hope for the future. To me this is the most basic and true meaning of reconciliation: a sincere and heartfelt acknowledgement of what has come before and a genuine desire to move forward together towards the future.

The apology today was an acknowledgement of a past wrong. It also represented a clear statement of our desire as a nation to move forward as one people. However, the Rudd Labor government acknowledges that the events of today are only the first step of many steps that need to be taken to mend the past injustices suffered by the Indigenous people. Much more needs to be done to bridge the gap that has been allowed to develop over a number of years between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. As the Prime Minister stated today, in this country we are about a fair go for all, and up until now this sentiment has failed to be applied when it comes to Indigenous Australians. The facts speak for themselves in lower life expectancy and poorer health and education outcomes. These people have done it tough.

However, the Prime Minister also stated today that the Rudd Labor government is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous communities from this point on. The Prime Minister acknowledged that most of the old approaches are not working and that there is a need for a new beginning based on consultative, tailored and local approaches to improving outcomes in areas such as health and education in Indigenous communities. The Rudd Labor government has already committed to a number of policies aimed directly at improving health and education outcomes for young Indigenous children—the future of the Indigenous people’s heritage and culture, the future of our country.

I am extremely proud to be a member of the Australian parliament that finally took the important step of acknowledging the wrongs suffered by members of the stolen generation and that has set a positive agenda in working towards closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Today the first words have been spoken and the first steps have been taken on the road towards reconciliation. Let this day rest in the minds of all Australians as one of hope.