I was able to avoid most of the hooha portrying sorry day as something akin to the second coming, but I did notice rude,ignorant black women turning their backs on Brendan Nelson simply because he told the truth that some (most, I would say) children were removed for their own good. Charming people!

Well, Mr. Nelson. That's what you get for me-tooing on something that should never have happened. These people will never be satisfied.

Bill02 - I agree that in reality it is the British Govt. that is at the heart of the issue and should also issue an apology. Also they sent the worst of the Military to guard people that in reality, performed some of the lesser crimes. These agents of the British Government rode roughshod over the original inhabitants, while the British Government itself, under the British Monarchy's reign of King George, made absolutely no attempt to forge alliances with the original inhabitants. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology, on behalf of the Paliament and the Government was right. But apologies are needed from the Monarchy and the British Government as well. It is unfortunate that we will probably never see this.
However Bill02, like you, my ancestors came in the 1st and subsequent fleets. Not all were convicts. Some were agents of the British Government. I accept that some of them were not blameless.
I do not accept that what was done was done with 'best intentions'. There were many enlightened people who worked against evil notions that were rampant, but were often derided or humiliated for doing so. So the means to avail oneself of actually doing better were available. On behalf of this wrongdoing my ancestors may have perpetrated, I too, offer my apologies.
The government and landholders stole the wages of the original inhabitants. Some of it was put into Internal Revenue but not used for the benefit of the original inhabitants. Does the white community owe them? Yes. Spend the money, Mr Rudd, on anyway you can to improve services and outcomes to the original inhabitants.

It's instructive that the anecdote the author gives is about Rob Riley, who is not one of the stolen generation. He was voluntarily given up by his mother over fear of an alcoholic abusive father, and she then refused to even visit him where he was being cared for at Sister Kate's.

The stolen generation is mostly a myth created by a biased historian and promulgated by the self flagellating left, yet when they are asked to actually produce a list of aboriginal children stolen from their parents on the basis of race (and not social welfare grounds), the sorry examples of intelligence seem to struggle to find even 10 names.

Lying to the aboriginal people and telling them that the Australian government accepts responsibility for a massive policy of evil that didn't exist will not help. It will only continue to breed the particular strain of victimhood that has kept the aboriginal people in drunken and abusive communities for years.

Col Rogue,

The current generation may not be responsible for past policies, but they've certainly benefited from the massive dispossession of aboriginal land and the consequences that have arisen. For that reason, it makes sense that the financial responsibility is borne by those who have benefited. Further, respecting the self-determination of indigenous people means that they will make their own choices between the continuum of independence to assimilation. You might think assmilation is the best path, but that's not a decision for you to make

Yindin,
What sort of a moron am I? Well firstly, I am a cynic. I've been around too long to blindly accept what any politicians say. My cynicism cuts in when they start saying what they are 'gunna do'.
I'm cynical about both their intentions and their ability to carry out what they say. e.g. Am sure you know 'No child shall live in poverty' Bob Hawke and 'Never, never be a GST' John Howard. and 'Tax cuts are L A W law' Paul Keating.

Secondly, Im a bloke prepared to forgoe the promised tax cuts if there is a reasonable chance a proposed scheme will dramaticly lower infant mortality, and the incidence of child physical and sexual abuse and get the kids attending school each day, in aboriginal communities.

Thirdly, there have been report after report stating the high infant mortality rate, the abuse and neglect of kids and alcahol abuse in aboriginal communities. Anyone not acknowledging this is in denial.
The 'Bringing them Home' report has many stories of mothers devastated by the removal of their kids. Things have changed these days with modern welfare. I do not accept that any parents really love and care for their kids if DOCS have to remove them for neglect,or they are disease ridden and malnourished, or they do not ensure they go to school daily. I know of some mothers that only have kids to get extra welfare benefits to be spent on drugs, grog and smokes. Not only in aboriginal communities either!

If these views make me a moron in your view, I'm happy to wear that label.

Col Rouge, I was speaking for myself and expressing my view. I respect you have a right to a differing opinion. I think the only thing that could work is a NT type intervention on a far greater scale. The cost of this would be enormous and how to find the resourses and staff to cover all states is a question. Must not forget the ruckus this caused last year. Many would oppose.

Lev,
I agree with you. Taking babies from their mothers was a harsh but accepted practice. Young white mothers with illegitimate babies sometimetimes had them taken from between their legs before even having seen them. The ABC series 'The leaving of Liverpool' showed how harshly British children were treated even after WW2. The fact is that many practices which are now unacceptable were seen at the time as the right thing to do. It is complely pointless to judge previous generations by todays moral standards.

Now that the government's said sorry we might expect the debate to shift from what whites haven't done to what black people can do to help themselves. Unfortunately, this won't happen. There will be more excuses about why 'black' Australia is disadvantaged. Whites will naturally be to blame. There will be expensive studies commissioned. They will be conducted by people who are 'sound' (to quote Sir Humphrey from "Yes Minister"). The studies will advocate a 'sound' response: more money, more social workers and more aboriginal autonomy. Bodies will be set up.....