Saying 'sorry' is not going to solve the present problems. Nor do I think that the government has any right or duty to apologise for the actions of the past. We can (and should) regret what happened but we have no right or even moral obligation to apologise for the actions of other people.
We do have a moral obligation, a very strong moral obligation, to assist those who are unable to help themselves. Those demanding a 'sorry' and who stand in the way of action being taken because those who could have helped have failed to do so are the ones who should be saying sorry.
I strongly object to being asked to feel guilty about the actions of those over whom I had no control and still have no control. I also strongly object to those who have far more white than indigenous ancestry claim that "their people" (meaning indigenous people) have been victimised. Are all their ancestors entirely without blame? I doubt it.
Let's concentrate on the future, not the past. Let's make sure that the children and the women of the present day are being helped right now.

Belly ,

I ABHOR sexual abuse of children and want it gone from ALL societies , that's the "truth" you are looking for - got it ?

Now if you are happy with the psycological abuse that John Howard brings on Aboriginal Communities with his "Shock and Awe " approach well that's your big problem.

Professor Helen Milroy of the UWA ,our first Australian Aboriginal psychiatrist and specialising in child mental health, has counselled action, but with caution and a measured approach to prevent more extreme trauma.

I will believe her any day before John Howard .

Meanwhile he marches in the Army and - again .

It will be interesting to read Dr Bill Glasson's report to the Government on the health of these communities and his suggestions to help them .

That is if the world can get a look at it.

kartinya Jim I am a trade unionist a worker and an ALP member ,do you think I like or trust Howard.
In communicates post he says we have no need to say sorry, forget the stolen generation, forget the arrival of whites.
But do not forget the shameful failures of both white and Aboriginals for over 100 years that each year fails to impact on this dread full issue not just child rape, not just child neglect, not just poor housing rebuilt and re destroyed, not empty schools , not just kids who will never read and write.
Both your people and mine must say sorry for doing little more than debating over and again, paying massive amounts of money only to see it wasted.
I truly think John Howard is a liar.
I truly want him beaten and shamed on election night.
And I truly thank him for this,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,a start to decades of hard hopefully honest work to end this insult to an Aussie fair go.
How many kids suffer tonight?
How many mums hide tonights bruises tomorrow?
in any outside town community you will find victim who truly think white man can be blamed? not alone Jim not only mate.
Hear the voices question the need face up to an ABC radio mike, so full distane for this action, is there just a chance some of those voices belong to those who victimise these communitys?
Could it be fear of being found out that drives a few?

Communicat ,

Your thinking on Aboriginality and the degree of white or Indigenous blood takes us back to days when white bureaucrats thought that to "breed the black out" was the way to go to solve the "Aboriginal Problem".

If Howard swamps small Aboriginal Communities with 1000's of noxious and culturally insensitive tourists, those racists of then and now may well have their wish .

It would be a type of Government inspired, Long Term Plan Genocide, as their culture is overwhelmed for the last time .

To be replaced with what ?