Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history.

We reflect on their past mistreatment.

We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were stolen generations - this blemished chapter in our nation's history.

The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.

We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.

We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.

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.

We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation.

For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written.

We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians.

A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again.

A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.

A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed.

A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility.

A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia.

i sat and read the apology while i ate my museli this morning. had a little cry.

this is a very special day.

I want to listen to it on the radio, I wonder if the school will let me.

schools are being encouraged to broadcast it. take a copy of the age and show them.

the televisions better be on in this office for the broadcast. why the bloody hell have televisions here if they're not for checking out major news events!

Agh, and Im not there for it...

Anyway, cheers, all.

It's a good start. I hope that it goes all the way with compensation payments etc.

After an announcement was made that Bristol city council was thinking of apologising the Caribbean community for the slave trade (of which Bristol was a missive part), i spent ages at war with my own head over where i stood.

Now, i finally realise, it's a good thing, and to argue that you had nothing to do with it so you shouldn't apologise is BULLSHIT.

Well done Australia =]

I watched the opening ceremony of Parliament last night and I got a real sense of this being a historic moment, the beginning of a new era. All the pettiness and mean-ness of the Howard era as last vestige of an evil old empire is being swept aside in a symbolic gesture that carries meaning for indigenous as well as non-indigenous people.

Good shit.

Congratulations all!

http://mono.whatevz.net/images/120208_0436lLzQE.jpg

fuck i've forgotten how to do this

feel free to help this silly old woman..........

there you are, damselfly :)

this sorry business is a very good start.

what a fantastic day. this makes me so happy.

i'd really like to watch some of this, i hope it's been broadcast throughout the day.. anyone know?

thanks mcclap and paulie. :))

yeah abc everywhere selts, if you have a tv. also fed square, which i'd better get moving if i'm going to get to.

also streamed video on the age website. BUT CAN SOMEONE TELL ME HOW TO MAKE IT WORK!

It's being broadcast from 8.55 to 10.30 on the ABC and SBS, skittles.

ooh, thank you. i was going to go back to sleep, but maybe i'll stay up for a little while longer

15 minutes!!

so much of the howard era was focussed on him, most supporters woudl call themselves howard supporters and not liberal supporters, became somewhat president like in view, so when the party was ousted, including him, whoever replaced him would lose the those who swapped sides, but also lose those you could technically call liberal voters, but were actually howard voters.

same thing happened in victoria when kennett turned at last election into a all about him affair and got done.

haha. great article.

single digits.

I'm sorry we don't have Howard to kick around anymore. He's gone to ground and is apparently very ''depressed''. Although this hasn't stopped him from doing the speaking tour.

Let's face it, he'll be just like Whitlam is years to come, except without the wit, intelligence and open heart. He'll have his arrogance though.

Nelson has the lowest approval rating of an opposition leader ever.

And Rudd the highest, I believe.

You have to wonder if that's because people like Kev, or dislike Nelson.

Who cares!

crikey are selling these t-shirts

Good to see things are travelling along nicely for Aboriginal people in the NT This story is just disgusting. I'm going to spend the rest of the day prank calling the hostel who can't even get the spelling of their name correct on the White Pages.

Haven Back Backer Resort
3 Larapinta Drv Alice Springs 0870
(08) 8952 4663

Kev's taking it to the kidz.

i wish kevin would get back to running the country instead of his revivalist get togethers.

Year tomorrow.

Bushfires delay Rudd's Sorry Day report

this is the day i liked best out of suggestions for moving ''australia day'' to

i heard a lady from the stolen generations group saying they were celebrating with a barbeque and cake and not going to press the compensation issue right away because of the bushfires

on the radio

on 774

i should add

looks like a fair bit of celebration will be happening at the block today - walked past there this morning and remembered standing there a year ago.

i concur with the australia day sentiment. great idea.

nah, save it for republic day, if we move it now, we can't move it then.

Sydney ‘SORRY. Still Living on Borrowed Time!' Festival

The National Sorry Day Committee, National ANTaR and friends will stage a special Sorry Day Festival & Concert on Saturday 29th May to mark the 10 Year Anniversary of Corroboree 2000 Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk that was made iconic by the words ‘SORRY’ inscribed in Sydney sky.

The ‘SORRY. Living On Borrowed Time!’ Festival will bring the community together to reflect on the shared experiences of the Apology and Corroborree 2000, to celebrate the survival of Aboriginal Australia and to reunite the voices of grass roots Australia to call for the unfinished business for the Stolen Generations to be properly attended to.

Aboriginal hip hop act The Street Warriors headline the event as they brand the ‘Sorry. Still Living on Borrowed Time!’ 2010 Sorry Day theme with their remake of the Goanna classic song, Solid Rock.

The FREE concert will also feature a brilliant line up of musicians including Jimmy Little, The Stiff Gins, Marcia Howard & Rose Bygraves, Lolalavina, Robyn Loau, Marlin Cummins, Jane Walker and Leeroy & Samson.

The Tribal Warrior and its distinguished passengers will join the festival as it sails a symbolic journey from the Opera House to Circular Quay.

Award Winning Australian Indigenous Artist of the Year, Photographer Wayne Quilliam will present a slide production of the Photo Exhibition 'Sorry: more than a word' photo exhibition.

The ‘SORRY. Still Living on Borrowed Time! Festival Commences at 10am at First Fleet Park, The Rocks.

happy sorry day is a tautology.