So, if Aboriginals have a deep mistrust of Europeans.
That is their problem to deal with.

I personally have a deep mistrust of government, since I know my personal interests are diluted when considered in competition with the interests of 20 million other Australians.

To any aboriginal or other person, I seriously suggest, don’t focus your life or “self-worth” on someone else saying “Sorry”.

By doing so, you are surrendering your independence to a “sop” of an idea which will do nothing for you in the long run.

Get over it and work at doing the best you can for yourself and your family. That way is the only way in which anyone will find the dignity and self-worth which you must be lacking

Good on ya Keith! Lets catch again soon.

Col, yes self worth is the ultimate. You should also notice who is much more vocal about the need for Howard to say the 'S' word.

Its become part of the phoney Leftist political strategem.

When and if Indigenous leadership call for this to happen it will be at the right time and with the right polical and legal intentions.

Kalali, thanks bro.

History is written by the victor, history is constantly rewritten.
Read about the Hawksbury river region north of Sydney in the old times and you can see the most shameful and inhumane acts committed. The thing is, it wasnt one sided against the aborigines.
Why is it specified when registering a truck that if involved in an accident, dont say "sorry" but rather "are you OK" or "can I get Help". Indeed, if you say sorry the insurance company is not responsible any longer. The PM is no fool with regard to legal matters and obviously appreciates the danger of a taxpayer-funded class action.
Whats the answer? well we dont know, we just keep finding more not-the-answers.
I dont think any apology can fix the problems that exist these days, and the affirmative action pendulum is leading popular opinion towards a pseudoapartheid.

There are obviously a few different slants here. One is the obvious - 'it wasn't me, so why should i say sorry'? Yet i bet, as a number of posters point out, the same people openly contradict themselves by taking pride in Australia's positives, getting the 'fuzzy feeling', and also not having a problem with other historical acts like Germany paying reparations for WW2 or even regarding the Jewish Holocaust industry (see book by Norman Finklestein).

The point is there is a need to acknowledge past wrongs, and consequently develop policies, in consultation with Indigenous communities, to essentially make some sort of difference. Yes, it is symbolic - that exactly the damn point!

Howards playing of this issue is an obvious disgrace. The constant suppression of any Indigenous political voice, and then the sparodic sensationalism of certain issues like we have seen in the past few weeks with Mal "just realised abuse was happening in central australian indigenous communities" Brough running around the countryside is something out nations leaders should be deeply ashamed off. But I do agree with Rainer, in that the Labour party, or any area of the Left, is certainly not jumping out with any plausible response. We can only really hope for some thought and proper evaluation of this isse, but we most probably will do so in vain

While not obviously apparent to outsiders there is now a clear rift between Aboriginal leadership. On one side are those who see no solid position for historical causation and on the other those who see history as unfinished business.

The rise and rise of neo-con Aboriginal leaders over the last decade has been stridently supported by the Howard regime as a means to counter any attacks from the Left or those sections of the Labor Party that still adhere to socialism. (they could easily ride in a cab together).

Just as Condelina Rice and Colon Powell have neutered any critical inspection of the underlying race agenda of the Bush republic regime, so too has Howard's establishment given birth to his own versions of the same. They are no mandatory components of modern white liberal political cultures in the west.

The cultural wars have created confusion about the role of Rights in Aboriginal affairs and have had an even more devastating impact on grass roots communities who have traditionally relied on a leadership - that walked the talk and advocated the civil rights line on all issues.

Attacks by pseudo Leftists (Barnes and Glenn) on Howard for not saying Sorry is simply lazy, anally retentive, political analysis.

These issues generate such aggressive responses on both sides. I liked keith's response as he is reconciling himself to his own ignorance about Aboriginal cultures and has been reading up. That's great! Truly, Aboriginal people have the same problem the other way round but have little written in their own languages to refer to.

I realised the extent of my own ignorance when I visited a fairly remote community last year. I went to find out more about the art and culture as I teach children Aboriginal art and felt I couldn't teach well without visiting the land and the artists.

I discovered a complex culture that is has almost completely opposing reference points to mine. I think part of the current problem arises from Aboriginal culture not being taught in Australian schools. The issues and our understanding of Aboriginal laws and attitudes would be so much clearer with some good education ititiatives. Profound differences such as the complex and cyclic nature of kinship - ie we are not a new generation each time but are inextricably linked to those who have gone before, is a major stumbling block, as is the comprehension of time - also cyclic whereas ours is linear. Our way of making friends is perceived as aggressive to many Aboriginal people and their way of making friends can be seen as unwelcoming/evasive to us. Eye contact and direct questioning makes many Aboriginal people feel uncomfortable...but those are "our" main reference points when meeting and finding out information.

"Our" ways are not right or wrong, but they are extremely different to theirs. In the community I tried to operate within their cultural expectations and was rewarded with acceptance, trust and generosity beyond my expectations. Saying sorry is more about us acknowledging that we have a lot to learn as it is about the idea of taking responsibility. Many of those who are posting on this issue need to read more and visit communities in a humble way so that they can really begin to understand where the misunderstandings lay and begin to negotiate appropriate solutions.