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Australian PM Rudd says sorry to Aborigines' stolen generations

· Historic apology for years of racist social planning
· Statement prepared for opening of parliament

Barbara McMahon in Sydney

13 February 2008 - The Guardian UK - The Australian prime minister, Kevin Rudd, yesterday issued the text of the long-awaited apology to the country's Aboriginal population citing the "profound suffering, grief and loss" inflicted on them by decades of abuse and mistreatment.

His words, contained in an Australian parliamentary motion, were directed to the "stolen generations" - the tens of thousands of mixed-race children taken from their families in a strategy of white assimilation only abandoned in 1970.

But he also said sorry to all of Australia's indigenous people who still live on the margins of society, saying that in the future he wanted them to have the same opportunities as other Australians.

Thousands of Aborigines and their supporters gathered outside parliament to watch the occasion on giant TV screens while others attended the opening ceremonies inside the building.

"For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry," Rudd said in extracts released earlier in the day. "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."

From 1910 to 1970 mixed-race children - mostly of Aboriginal mothers and European fathers - were taken to orphanages, church missions or foster homes to be raised separately from their families and their culture. The ultimate purpose, it has been claimed, was the extinction of Aborigines as a distinct race.

The policy was not fully recognised until a decade ago when it was exposed in a report entitled Bringing Them Home, which recommended that the government apologise and make financial reparation.

Former prime minister John Howard refused to offer the apology, saying the current generation should not be blamed for past misdeeds, and issued a statement of regret instead. Rudd, who won power last November, made an apology part of his election manifesto but has ruled out financial reparations.

Yesterday, as part of the new era, Aborigines danced and sang at the opening of the Australian parliament and Aboriginal elder Matilda House gave a traditional greeting to MPs and senators gathered for the new parliamentary session. Rudd conceded: "It's taken us 41 parliaments to get here. Sometimes we are a bit slow."

Source: The Guardian

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

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