hi all, I understand that this is a very passionate and personal issue for all of us, but I'm concerned that some posters are becoming too impassioned and are saying derogatory words to one another - definatly something I'm sure they wouldn't say in open public.

Please may we have some peace between ourselves and focus on the issue at hand and not the personalities.

In peace P

Kevin Rudd needs no one to write that speech, he is a word smith.
He may have had help but he knew and understood every word.
In threads from my first day in this forum I have highlighted that whites from my generation too feared the welfare man.
Ran and hid cryed and did not know till returning home what home had been visited.
But no one wanted me because of my race.
Or my parents race.
Kevin Rudd spoke for me today as I drove three and a half hours each way for work I heard every word of every speech.
I am filled with pride in my party and its leader.
This does not mean I am not against compensation I am, we already spend much on these Australians we will spend more.
It does not mean I am unaware the people who sexually assault so many children in the NT and QLD are not white ,and it Lady's is not racist to say so.
Some who are part of the problem not the solution claim we must ignore the wrong direction some cultures have taken.
In a strange and stupid way they want us to not know some evil things are taking place at the hands of Aboriginals inflicted on other Aboriginals.
For all that I am forever sorry.
That so many look for ways to forget the dreadful crimes our country once inflicted good faith or not.
That we once thought the best answer was to breed them out of existence and for the fact so many still think that I am sorry.

I am NOT Australian born, but am "pure?" white from Anglo-Saxon stock and have lived in Australia for 58 years! I speak fluent "strine" and was Best-man at a mates wedding (himself a full-blood Aborigine!)

I watched, listened and hopefully digested ALL the statements that were made yesterday, during which I was moved to tears on several occasions!

I thought that it was very unfair for the treatment that Brendan Nelson was given during his speech (I am NOT and never have been a Liberal supporter!) and felt that all the leaders (Representatives) conducted themselves in a manner beyond reproach, and it was very refreshing to see both leaders of the major Political Parties, for once united in their expression of reconciliation on this very momentous and historical day!

I nominate February 13th to be recognised annually as "AUSTRALIAN RECONCILIATION DAY"

Good Morning Everyone,

Our society gained a great deal from the powerful protests by and on behalf of the Australian Aborigines. These protests awakened the nation's conscience to an intolerable situation: the continued denial of fundamental rights and equal opportunity to so many of our citizens. We were jolted to awareness of the moral and political desease of denial and discrimination which threatened to destroy us as a great and decent nation.

But, finally, under a new Government the conscience of white Australia
responded yesterday to the accusation of guilt. "Sorry" did not come easily to our lips, but at long last we reacted - and did the right thing.

At best, it will take generations to repair the ravages of past neglect and oppression of our indigenous Australians. The size of the job to be done, and the nature of the rehabilitation to be undertaken, means that the indigenous Australians who are now grown - scarred, embittered, and deprived - will not be restored to full dignity and health. They can expect at best only something of a job, something somewhat better as a home. But they can expect and should demand a better life so far as their children and, especially, their children's children are concerned.

The shape of things to come will be determined by the tone and level of the Aboriginal Community's demands, the white community's
response, and the interaction of the two.

Yesterday was a step in the right direction!

Well said friends Cuphandle I differ a little with you I was driving and this old alpha male was crying too when Nelson spoke.
Look I wanted better of him, the day deserved it yet I cringed as he spoke of past generations of whites, it was not the day, not the time for that.
As he spoke of the NT intervention I cringed again, this welded on Labor man thought it was rude to be offended by the truth 42 community's each has child rape and sexual assault in its recent history, truth has value always.
He was boo,ed again for saying no compensation was coming we knew that why did he need to say it?
5 of his party absented them selves from the house why?
Be proud as Foxy is know it is but a step, understand without anger or blame both sides now must act ,be accountable , to achieve change.
I stand by my claim , till the day he dies Brendan Nelson will wish he could do that speech again.

Vanilla I agree that Mr rudd will be apologising for past & previous governments or parliaments, but it won't end there.It comes down to the tax payers who have paid for many years.I'm not saying all aboriginals are bludgers far from it,I have friends that are aboriginal they have never been afraid of hard work & nicer people you couldn't meet & they take pride in themselves.We didn't receive a free education,our children aren't payed to go to school.Why is their health in poor condition,would it be they can't be bothered doing anything for themselves.How does that make it our fault,they can attend any hospital,Dr's are flown into many remote areas.Why wasn't the queen involved in the apology,she is head of our country & she apologised to the Irish for lack of assistance.It would have been the crown that had her officers land etc.Until we are all treated as one people nothing will change.Also the crimes on the elderly have to stop.We had discussions with our children,and did not influence them one way or the other but all agreed we have nothing to apologise for.We work hard,pay our own way as we believe all Australian should.