I’m Sorry Too
February 13, 2008 | Filed under Politics
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.
Kevin Rudd and the Labour Government, I congratulate you. From the bottom of my heart, I congratulate you. In your first official day as the new government of Australia, you’ve done what eleven years of a Howard Government couldn’t. You’ve begun the process of reconciliation. By not only apologising for the actions of the past and actually outlining your vision for a unified Australia, you’ve raised hope in the hearts of many, hope that had been extinguished by the actions and white-man-supremacy of the Howard Government.
You have a big task ahead of you. The road to reconciliation has many issues, the creation of a society of true equals is only one amongst many. I have a few suggestions to help pave the way:
- Offer better incentives for professionals to work in problem areas. A large part of the Northern Territory is barren desert land, inhabited only by Indigenous peoples. Offer financial incentives for larger numbers of medical and education professionals to spend at least five years working in NT – tax-free earnings for example.
- Offer free dormitory-style accomodation and board for young Australians in previously mentioned problem areas. We’re simple people – feed and shelter us, and we’re happy to take a year off school to do menial labour. Put us to work building community housing for displaced Indigenous peoples.
- Offer tax cuts for corporations that move their centre of operations into these areas. Employment has to come from somewhere, so encourage larger corporations to provide jobs in that community by offering incentives.
- Increase the number of social help programs. It’s a sad fact that alcoholism, drug-taking, child sex, rape, and other such occurences are significantly higher in Indigenous communities – you need the appropriate programs in place to provide support, etc, to work towards eradicating these occurences.
- Put pressure on telecommunications companies. The broadband coverage in this country is sadly lacking in depth and penetration – and these days, education and knowledge is increasingly linked to the chances one has to access the Internet. The government needs to make Telstra extend the reach of telecommunications to the centre of Australia.
Good suggestions, n’est-ce pas? Well then, why not invite me to your Australia 2020 summit? I’m sure I qualify as one of Australia’s “best and brightest”.
8 Responses to I’m Sorry Too
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Hm, it’s a touchy topic. We were all arguing about it today with points like “why do we apologise for the actions of our ancestors?”, “we didn’t do anything”. I thought the apology was good, until I found out that now the Aborigines (als?) can begin suing the government because the apology has been made. The current government who didn’t do those actions for which they are apologising.
It’s all too confusing! I still don’t have a proper opinion! I think #5 is already underway though!
I just want rental prices to go down. bah
Paddy on February 13, 2008 #
Screwing with market conditions is always a bad idea. Incentives to move are the most likely to work, and even those are hard to implement properly. I can’t picture any situation where 2 is a good idea, ever. 3 seems like a complete waste for me. A company’s headquater’s should be in a place most relevant to it’s business needs. Even in the long run, it would take huge incentives to get companies to up and move somewhere else just because of taxes – considering they’ve built their base in their current location.
As for apolopgies, I stand firmly in the belief that a government represents the people, and a current government shouldn’t shoulder the blame for something a past government did. That would be like holding the next President of the USA at fault for Bush’s decisions. Instead, it should work about fixing it.
Mike Haddad on February 14, 2008 #
I watched it today and shed many tears. I am so happy they have done this because it paves the way for a future bond with the people of this land. It should have been done a long time ago but at least it has been done now and we can move forward.
A lot of people have been getting confused thinking that we have to say sorry, but it has been about the government saying sorry for what they and the legislation did at the time. But I know many people among us also apologise and that is up to the individual to decide. What happened was such a horrible event and should never be simply hushed up. We can start a healing process and I hope this can pave the way to a possibly bigger appreciation of Aboriginal culture, as it is one of the oldest living.
I am happy with our new government. It feels like a new wave of thinking is flowing free, with a new generation. The windows have been opened and a cool breeze circulates the room with a divine hope for the future of all. :)
Kya on February 14, 2008 #
*stupid moment*
Was it the Aborigines they were apologising to?
Kristina on February 14, 2008 #
@Paddy: one of the news reports I watched said that a policy has been or will be put in place that allows no room for compensation, so I don’t think anyone will be able to sue. The best form of compensation is in Amanda’s suggestions anyway.
Ever thought about political science, Amanda?
Nellie on February 14, 2008 #
Can we exchange governments?
Julie on February 14, 2008 #
I don’t know too much about this topic, but I do think it’s fantastic that a government is admitting their faults, even if the cause wasn’t during their time.
marilyn on February 14, 2008 #
A government who admit faults is good. At least the people can get an apology for what wrong the government has done.
Chien Yee on February 14, 2008 #