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Prominent Australians lead London protest for Aboriginal rights

27 March 1998 - ENIAR media release - A group of prominent Australians yesterday made a formal apology to the Aboriginal peoples - and then called on the Australian Government to face up to the past.

(clockwise from top left) John Pilger, Jonathan 'Jono' Coleman, Mark Little, Kathy Lette, Geoffrey Robertson QC, Peter Tatchell.

Former "Big Breakfast" presenter Mark Little, "Mad Cows" author Kathy Lette, TV and radio personality Jonathan Coleman and gay rights activist Peter Tatchell wrote their apologies in a special "Sorry Book" at a protest outside the Australian High Commission in London.

"Nothing can alter the past," said Peter Tatchell. "But... admission of the wrongs done can, perhaps, be the beginning of reconciliation between Australians of all races, leading to the long overdue settlement of the just demands of the Aboriginal people for full land rights and compensation."

Writer Dr Germaine Greer and TV personality Rolf Harris both sent written statements of apology to the protest. In her statement, Dr Greer warned that Australia was in danger of becoming an international pariah, because of the anti-Aboriginal stance of Prime Minister John Howard.

"He thinks that Aborigine bashing will make him popular," said Dr Greer. "We have to show that he could not be more wrong. The little we have done to redress the great wrong done to the Aborigines must be built on, and quickly, if white Australians are not to become the outcasts of the world."

Protest organiser Sue Mathieson, of Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR), said that Australia should face up to its past for the sake of its future. "We need to ask ourselves if our children will have to come here to apologise in 20 years time for what we still can't get right today."

The London protest comes after a string of controversial Australian Government decisions on indigenous issues. Last year, the Government refused to pay compensation to the "Stolen Generations" - the tens of thousands of people who suffered under the past policy of taking Indigenous children away from their families. The Government also refused to make a formal apology - even after a National Inquiry found that the forcible removal of children was an act of genocide.

However, the most controversial decision of all may be yet to come. Next week, the Australian Senate is due to hold the final vote on Mr Howard's Native Title Amendment Bill. If it is passed, this Bill will effectively hand over vast areas of Indigenous land to the powerful mining and farming industries.

But if it is blocked, then Mr Howard will go the polls, potentially plunging Australia into a nightmare election campaign fought on the issue of race.

In London yesterday, members of the public queued up in the drizzle to write their own apologies to the Aborigines whilst the Australian High Commissioner stayed indoors.

"I'm sad to stand outside Australia House and know that virtually no-one in that building is allowed to sign the Sorry Book," said Jonathan Coleman. "Shame, shame, shame, Australia."

Text from the 'Sorry Book'

You can use the 'Sorry Book' to record your own apology or to sign the following one:

By signing my name in this book, I record my deep regret for the injustices suffered by Indigenous Australians as a result of European settlement and, in particular, I offer my personal apology for the hurt and harm caused by the forced removal of children from their families and for the effect of Government policy on the human dignity and spirit of Indigenous Australians.

I would also like to record my desire for Reconciliation and for a better future for all our peoples. I make a commitment to a united Australia which respects this land of ours, values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, and provides justice and equity for all.

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

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