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EDM 927 - Centenary of Australia

Early Day Motion - EDM 927 - Tabled 5 July 2000 in UK Parliament by Jeremy Corbyn MP

CENTENARY OF AUSTRALIA

This House notes the official visit to the United Kingdom of the Prime Minister of Australia and the celebrations to mark Australia Week 2000; acknowledges the close ties between the United Kingdom and Australia, in war and peace, in trade, sport and professional co-operation; Also notes that the Islander and Aboriginal peoples of Australia have nothing to celebrate, that their life expectancy is 17 years less than other Australians and their infant mortality rate is twice as high; acknowledges the oppression and injustices inflicted on Aboriginal peoples and apologises for the suffering caused by past British policies; further acknowledges current discrimination and disadvantage suffered by Aboriginal peoples in health, education, job opportunities and provision of public services; and therefore calls on the Governments and peoples of Australia to mark the Centenary of Federation by committing themselves to redress that discrimination and disadvantage, and to recognise the special status and rights of Aboriginal people as the indigenous peoples of Australia.

Source: House of Commons Westminister

Other EDM's relating to Indigenous Australia:

• EDM 1000 (2008) - Indigenous Australians
• EDM 210 (2007) - British based mining companies
• EDM 558 (2004) - mourns the death of Australian aboriginal, Molly Kelly
• EDM 927 (2000) - Centenary of Australia

Further information: stolen generations issues page - includes news index and external links