@Aidan

<<I suspect it has more to do with skepticism about very dubious claims than it does about forgiveness. But even if those claims are true, what their ancestors did to each other centuries ago has no bearing on the status of the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people now>>

The point --that you are very conveniently overlooking --is that every white on black infringement is presented and represented and represented again as evidence of the evils of white settlement--but black on black infringements are brushed under the table.

And just look at the effect that that has on the poor impressible souls in the Greens.They genuinely believe that Oz was an earthly paradise before those dastardly whites arrived.

No change needed in my opinion, it works just fine and has for years, although I have to say the change that saw the holiday celebrated on the actual day has been very disruptive for business. In my view it should always be celebrated with a Momday public holiday.

As for invasion day, sorry, this does nit register on my radar.

Did they honnestly expect the world to expand and prosper around them. Besides, there is all the help and assistance in the world for indigenous folk. Whether they choose to use this help wisely is their choice.

Leave Australia day alone I say.

The 26th January represents the first day Australia became a part of the Western World and a part of a universal society. Any first Australian that do not enjoy our way of life must deny any handouts and live in their culture. Ask are they better off? A former culture that beat and raped women and left newborn twins on ant hills.

In 300 years time with intermarriage there will not be a genuine aboriginal, just a lot of people griping about invasion.

Aidan,

Spot on!!

"....But even if those claims are true, what their ancestors did to each other centuries ago has no bearing on the status of the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people now."

Just as what my ancestors may or may'nt have done has no bearing on the status of Aboriginal people now, except that their actions have brought the Aboriginals into the modern world.

Without 'whiteman's technology' my late friend, Burnam Burnam couldn't have flown to Britain in 1988 and formally taken possession of the island in the name of the Australian Aboriginal people, and this was, as he was the first to admit, only because of the toleration of the British people, a people with whom he had no gripe.
see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burnum_Burnum

Watch it Josephus, you are almost treading on forbidden ground.

There are some very good posts here, O Sung Wu spoke of the money issue, and I suspect some is guilt money. Money is as necessary as fresh air, but it has to be spent well.
Worthwhile jobs, with adequate on-the-job training, (Education and opportunity, education brings so much) housing (and health), ('BUT' built by their own hand) ( a sense of achievement) and arable land in which to pursue their own style of living ? Raising sheep, cattle, and crops if they wish (self determination for all indigenous people city and country) Wu, you are becoming a bloody Green.

Jay was on the spot in 1788 reporting the facts. thanks for that.
"European people are the source of all innovation in human history" What a load of rubbish!
The problem with Lefties is they see Aboriginals as inferior to Whites, More rubbish. A few lines back you referred to the low stone age world of pre 1788 Australia. Defiantly a value difference between the low stone age world, and the source of all innovation. Are you a Lefty, must be.

Josephus and others, throw in the Christian thing, the Aboriginal done it all to himself, he was a pagan. What did your mob give them, bibles! Then in typical christian style, its toe the line, or else. I don't know about the ant hills, but I'm glad beating and raping of women was only confined to the Aboriginal population.