home | news l

High Commissioner may snub 'Sorry Book'

25 March 1998 - ENIAR media release - An Australian Government representative may tomorrow refuse to apologise to Aboriginal peoples for past injustices, such as the theft of their land and children.

The Australian High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Neal Blewett, may snub a special ceremony in London at which members of the public will formally apologise to Aborigines by signing a "Sorry Book".

A number of prominent Australians have already confirmed that they will take part in the ceremony, which will be held outside Australia House at 12 noon on Thursday, 26 March 1998. They include former 'Big Breakfast' presenter Mark Little, TV and radio personality Jonathan 'Jono' Coleman, 'Mad Cows' author Kathy Lette, gay rights activist Peter Tatchell and top lawyer Geoffrey Robertson QC.

But, on the eve Of the ceremony, Dr Blewett's attendance was still in doubt.

"We invited the High Commissioner and all his staff last week," said organiser Sue Mathieson. "But we still haven't had any reply."

"Australia's international reputation is suffering because of the way the Government is treating Aboriginal people. We wanted Dr Blewett to repair some of that damage - but we can only assume that he's not coming."

Amnesty International recently spoke out against the Australian Government's refusal to apologise to the "Stolen Generations" - the tens of thousands of Indigenous people who were forcibly separated from their families when they were children. Last month, a group of British MP's condemned a Australian Government plan which will effectively hand over vast areas of Indigenous land to the powerful mining and farming industries.

The "Sorry Book" campaign is being co-ordinated by Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) UK (now ENIAR). A copy of ANTaR's invitation to Dr Blewett and his staff is attached.

• THE SORRY BOOK LAUNCH WILL BE HELD
OUTSIDE AUSTRALIA HOUSE, THE STRAND, LONDON WC2
AT 12 NOON ON THURSDAY, 26 MARCH 1998
IN THE EVENT OF RAIN IT WILL BE MOVED TO:
ST MARY LE STRAND CHURCH
(ON THE STRAND, BETWEEN BUSH HOUSE AND KINGS COLLEGE)

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