CANBERRA 13 February 2008 Australia to issue historic formal apology to Aborigines

Australia's parliament convenes on 12 Feb, and its first item of business on Feb 13 is a formal apology to the so-called "stolen generations" of Australia's Aborigines. Supporters of the milestone say it could ease tensions with a minority whose mixed-blood children were taken away from their families between 1910 until the 1970s on the premise that their race was doomed.

A national inquiry in 1997 found that many children taken from their families suffered long-term psychological effects stemming from the loss of family and culture. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, whose Labour Party won November elections, has made it clear that no monetary compensation will be paid for the suffering of broken families.

The government has also made it clear that the apology will be made on behalf of the Australian government and does not attribute guilt to the current generation of Australian people.

Australia's indigenous inhabitants number about 450,000 among a population of 21 million. Aborigines are the poorest ethnic group in Australia and are most likely to be jailed, unemployed and illiterate. There is also a 17-year life expectancy gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Jan/08

RELATED READING:

Australia to issue historic formal apology to Aborigines (AP/Globe&Mail 30 Jan 2008)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080130.waustapology0130/BNStory/International/home