In his famous Redfern speech in 1992, former
PM Paul Keating said:

"It was we who brought the diseases. The alcohol.
We committed the murders. We took the children
from their mothers. And now, it is time to clean
up the mess we have made. The government has a
duty to protect future generations of Indigenous
people... We must continue working towards
reconciliation. We need to make Indigenous disadvantage
history. We must not give up. "

Foxy
Ah, Paul Cheating. I remember him well.
He said that while wearing an exxy Italian suit and loafers. I assume.
But that aside, I love the "we". Meanwhile, his hero Jack Lang once wrote: "White Australia must not be regarded as a mere political shibboleth. It was Australia's Magna Carta. Without that policy, this country would have been lost long ere this. It would have been engulfed in an Asian tidal wave."

Dear individual,

More than happy for you to say you to say you personally thought Brendan Nelson's speech was better but don't try and claim you know better because your startlingly wilful ignorance about most things does not afford you either the right nor the luxury especially where the Apology was concerned. You actually know Jack mate.

I mingled with the thousands of our indigenous citizens who made their way to our nation's capital from all areas of this land to be part of that day. I stayed with many of those families who were at the local caravan park. I recall having to go to the site manager to ask for a plug for the sink for our cabin, he had stripped them along with all the irons etc because 'You know who we have staying here'.

You did not.

I lined up with my family in front of parliament house not really expecting to get in and more than happy if we didn't to watch it instead with the thousands gathered on the grass out the front.

You did not.

We were among the last to be seated in the Great Hall. Of those gathered in that room my estimate at least a third were identifiably indigenous and while there was a sense of anticipation I remember a real concern even fear about what was to unfold. That washed away once Rudd started speaking and the joy and relief on the formally fearful faces was one of the most amazing transformations I have ever seen.

You weren't there.

Cont..

Cont..

That joy and goodwill was extended to the beginning of Nelson's speech with fresh applause greeting his initial words. This quickly became dismay and anger once the import of his later lines became apparent. I remember an indigenous woman in front of me standing and turning her back on him with tears in her eyes and yet still apologising to me for obscuring my view. But Nelson's words could not take away the happiness that returned almost immediately after he had finished. It was a highly emotional event for those many indigenous families present on that day and it meant a very great deal to them.

But you wouldn't know that because you weren't there.

Yet there were so many other Australians who weren't there either but they got how important the day was, so why can't you.

The only possible conclusion is that you choose to remain willfully ignorant with your empathy and compassion strictured and bereft.

You sir have my pity.

individual & runner,

"Those of us who know better say that Brendan Nelson's reply to that was much better in every way. It was more down to earth, more realistic & above all more, in fact way more sincere.
The hangers-on leftie brigade however did not allow this to be seen in that light because integrity goes against the grain of the left & its syphoning the guilt industry mentality."

"the abused kids and especially young girls promised to uncles will be glad that some parts of the culture is outlawed. Marvelous how the indigeneous still want all the benefits of civilised culture but are taught to hate and despise the people who built houses, hospitals etc. Their life expectancy is now much higher due to those 'horrid' whities. Imagine the Chinese, Japanese or even Dutch had beaten Britian to the colonisation process. An inconvenient truth."

Just once, it would be rewarding to see either of you convey some humanity or cultural humility... instead of the usual barren desert of soul.

.....

SteeleRedux,

Thank you.....

SteeleReedux,
Which communities might we have seen you working in over the years, communities which would not exist if it weren't for the good will of the rednecks etc. Then there are Communities which have been destroyed by the good will of academic bureaucrats such as those who marched to be seen & make themselves feel warm'n fozzy.
I put it to you that you're the one who knows Jack.
Do you have any inkling whatsoever what goes on out there ? Doesn't sound like it.
Inifgenous land & its people have been exploited by the likes of yourself, people who think they're doing good by being seen at protest marches. Behind the scenes though everyone grabs as much as they can from the funds designed to aid indigenous communities. Bostering their own superannuation has always been the goal, not the success of indigenous communities.