Finally, an apology…
February 13, 2008 by Rachel Siewert
To the new Rudd Labor government – I thank you for this day.
I am very pleased to finally hear an Australian Prime Minister say ‘Sorry’ on behalf of the nation. It means a great deal to many, many Australians. Thank you also for opening the 42nd Parliament yesterday with a welcome to country.
It is significant that this is seen to be the very first action of this new government. We will all be watching to see that, after this first step of apology and acknowledgement, the Government continues to take the second, third, fourth and more steps to address health, education, housing, representation & opportunities.
We welcome the commitment of the new government to Close the Gap on life expectancy and community health, on education and on economic opportunity. We also welcome their stated commitment to evidence-based policy and we are hopeful that they will assess and respond to the evidence of the problems with the intervention in the Northern Territory and to make sure that those resources are being used constructively and effectively.
The Greens again reiterate our support for a full, sincere and unreserved apology for stolen land, stolen children, stolen wages, stolen rights and stolen opportunities.
Sorry for the appalling way we have treated the first peoples of this land.
Sorry for the way that the removal of children ripped the hearts out of families, creating a legacy of inter-generational suffering and trauma and contributed to the wider exclusion of Aboriginal and TSI people from the social, cultural and economic life of the nation.
I desperately hope that this will be a new beginning.
My very first action as a new Senator was to speak on this very issue, on 11th August 2005:
It always was and always will be Aboriginal land, and it is incumbent on us who have been chosen to represent this nation that we take responsibility for past wrongs and seek to redress current injustices.
I am not afraid to say ‘sorry’ to our Indigenous peoples, and I look forward to the day when we will acknowledge their voices and do them justice by enabling their true representation in the governance of this nation.
It is to our shame that we are the only developed nation which has failed to achieve this, and that the plight of our Indigenous peoples continues to worsen.
The report on the national inquiry into the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children Bringing them Home was initially published 26th May 1997.
The Greens, through Senator Bob Brown, then gave the following heartfelt and unreserved apology in the Senate two days later on 28th May 1997:
I add unreservedly from the Australian Greens an apology to the Aboriginal people and, in particular, to those directly and indirectly affected as the stolen generations. There is no way we can express the awful tragedy at an individual and community level this policy wrought upon the indigenous peoples of this country. There is now an opportunity for us to reconsider and move into the future with an open heart and with the recognition that that past should never again be allowed. The way we can ensure that that past never be allowed again is by continually revisiting it as part of our history, as part of Australian history, that can never again be submerged.
The stolen generation’s saga affects every corner of this country. It affects the Aboriginal people of Tasmania as it affects the Aboriginal people elsewhere around the country. We must move beyond the period of apology, if we get there—and that is an apology unreservedly required from the elected leader of this nation, the Prime Minister (Mr Howard), on behalf of the nation, to reparations as yet to be determined. It is a task for us all to undertake toward a future in which we draw strength from the unity and diversity of this nation and from the enormous wealth of this nation’s indigenous peoples and their culture, and their affinity for the vast lands of Australia.
It is imperative that we make that journey. On Monday, a great opportunity was blighted by the cavilling and conditional words of the Prime Minister. It was a moment of potential, positive, historic landmarking. It was a moment that was failed by the Prime Minister. It is an opportunity that rarely comes but, nevertheless, as he will know from the response he has had nationally and not just from the meeting in Melbourne, it is incumbent on him now to find the opportunity in the near future to do what he failed to do adequately on Monday. I will be amongst the many millions of other Australians who will support him, if he rises to that moment in the near future.
We believe there is a need for a full audit of the Bringing them Home report, to measure what progress we’ve made on the recommendations and to identify targets and timelines and dollars to deliver on each and every one. To date most have not been implemented.
I also want to acknowledge, remember and pay my respects to Rob Riley – who kicked off the very first inquiry into the removal of children in West Australia, which then became a model for the national inquiry. Rob was a pillar of strength for the local Nyungah community. When Rob released that first WA report Telling Our Story he came out and told his story – of being taken from his mother at the age of eighteen months, of being brought up being told that his mother was dead and not learning any different until it was too late and she had passed on.
Rob’s story gives us a very clear example of the way that removal had very stark impacts both on the health and well-being of the children removed and on their families. These ongoing, tangible impacts are the reason that a heartfelt apology on behalf of the nation (which is backed up by a commitment to address the wrongs of the past) is so important. That includes reparations as so clearly and strongly recommended in the Bringing Them Home report.
For concrete evidence (and understanding) of the inter-generational impacts of removal on health and well-being, there are countless examples, such as those described in the West Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey. This survey quantified the relationship between the removal of parents and grandparents, who are now the carers of the current generation of Aboriginal kids and the health and well-being of those children. One in six Aboriginal children in WA were surveyed. That’s over 5000 kids – the biggest and most comprehensive study of this kind.
Of those 0 – 17 year olds, 12.3% of their carers had been removed (including 5-6% of parents younger than 30 years and over 18% of those older than 35 years). While the practice of forced removal was meant to have ceased in the 1950’s this clearly indicates that it continued up to and beyond the 1970’s.
These carers who had been removed as children
- had much higher rates of alcohol consumption and gambling
- were much more likely to have been arrested or charged
- were half as likely to have someone with which they felt they could share their problems
- were much more likely to have contact with mental health services
These children whose carers had been removed
- were twice as likely to have behavioural and emotional problems
- twice as likely to be at high risk for hyperactivity, emotional and conduct disorders
- were twice as likely to already be abusing alcohol and drugs
Research on the impacts of chronic stress on brain development in the early years gives us a clear picture how the adverse treatment of these parents and carers can be passed on to the next generation, often resulting in mental illness, emotional and behavioural problems. This is separate to the very real circumstances of disadvantage, economic and housing stress and social exclusion in which most Aboriginal families find themselves.
Children growing up hearing stories of the officially sanctioned mistreatment of their mothers and grandmothers in an environment where these injustices are not acknowledged or are even denied can easily be led to despair. This is particularly evident when they are themselves growing up in disadvantage and experiencing first hand the impacts of social exclusion, living in a community with a high rate of unemployment in which they face an uncertain future.
This is why a full and unconditional apology from the government to the stolen generations on behalf of the nation is important to not just the children who were removed, but to their children and grandchildren.
Today is a momentous step forward for this country. The Government has put one foot on the path, but we are not there yet.
[...] Blog commentary Open apology thread on LP Tim Dunlop Ms Fits Andrew Bartlett Rachiel Siewert on Greensblog [...]
I believe this day has the potential to change this nation for the good. Kevin Rudd did a lot more than say “sorry” this morning. We needed that. I suspect we have a real statesman at the helm.
[...] Finally, an apology… « GreensBlog - the official blog of the Australian Greens Senators (tags: greens australia politics alp) [...]
Awesome! That was well done.
Now the PM and his Cabinet can go back to ignoring the blackfellah just like every other lot before them.
Did you notice something missing from Rudd’s policy board he’s setting up? PM, check, Opposition Leader, check, blackfellahs… whoops, knew we forgot something.
Now, why would anyone want to ask the actual people involved what they need and want? That’d be… well, democratic! Much better that a bunch of rich old white guys should decide what’s good for the indigenous people. I mean, that worked so well before.
A key issue will be the lack of teachers, child care workers and nurses, particularly in remote communities.
Why not train up unemployed people in local indigenous communities into part-time/casual Teachers’ Aide, Child-Care Assistant and Nursing Aide positions, whilst at the same time giving them access to the HSC/tertiary level education required to enable them to eventually become fully qualified Teachers and Nurses.
Also, why not introduce a program similar to the ‘Aunties and Uncles’ program that has been operating in NSW for some time: http://www.auntiesanduncles.com.au/, which would fit naturally into the extended indigenous family structure.
Children at risk could then have access to an extended indigenous family, operating under tight guidelines.
Or we could, you know, ask them what they reckon, Jim.
I think if we begin by treating Australian citizens as, well, citizens, consulting with them and responding to what they say, we can’t go far wrong.
People coming from outside and imposing “solutions” on the people against their will and without consulting them is after all what old Kev was apologising about just yesterday.
“Canberra, February 13th, 2058 - The newly elected Prime Minister is expected to offer today a formal apology to indigenous Australians for the policies of past governments, and has proposed a commission to examine the problems of lower literacy and life expectancy, and higher crime, in indigenous communities.”
Or not?
Thanks Kiashu
It’s so easy for us whitefellas, even with the “best of intentions” (and ain’t that an overused phrase at the moment), to say and do the wrong thing. Please don’t dismiss us, but tell us that we got it wrong…again!
Yes, absolutely we need Aboriginal people to tell us what needs to be done and what won’t work. Personally I wish there were more Aboriginal people in positions of power everywhere and within The Greens in particular. I imagine it’ll take a while though for Aboriginal people, and indeed the wider community, to trust that things can change and get contribute to the process.
I participated in the Sorry Today event in Perth and I’ve got to say that I was moved to tears many times, as were many of those around me.
However, when the tears dry, we are still stuck with the gross inequalities experienced by Aboriginal people in Australia. Reparation (in some form) is a must, as are actions around the issues of health, education, employment and housing.
[...] Senator Rachel Siewert on Greensblog has a lengthy post saying the apology is a good start but more is [...]
at last the word sorry has publically been said.
From my heart I also say this to all that my ancestors may have been involved in.
I have bought my young adult children up also say they are Sorry.
From this day we can only go forward with love and support to all.
“Sorry for the appalling way we have treated the first peoples of this land.”
Speak for yourselves. If you are responsible for serious crimes against people you should be jailed. Personally I have never harmed a single indigenous person and have no intention to.
What is harmful and destructive is people claiming responsibility for that which they have not done. You can not ask forgiveness and give an apology for something you have not done or responsible for. It makes a mockery of that wonderful human quality of remorse and forgiveness. Something the Green party, Rudd and co have no understanding of, obviously…..
There’s a sense in which we’re all responsible for what our government, our country does.
When a sports team or person from Australia wins a match, often we say, “We won!” If I can take credit for Gilchrist’s batting, simply by virtue of having been born in the same country as him, should I not also take the blame for, say, some blackfellah kid being swiped off her mum?
Or consider the great tragedy of the Boxing Day Tsunami, and how millions of Australians reached into their pockets to donate, how our government at our behest set aside money for rebuilding - little Australia gave more than any other country in the world, both as private citizens and through our elected representatives. At that time I felt pride in being Australian, pride in our compassion and generosity.
Should I not have felt pride at that, at actions for which I was not personally responsible?
If I can feel pride in things for which I wasn’t personally responsible, why not shame?
As well, there is the simple fact that an apology is necessary for healing, whether it was our actions, deliberate or not. If I’m cooking and turn around in the kitchen and accidentally dong the missus on the head with the frypan, I am not actually responsible for the lump on her head. It was an accident, after all. But I had best say “sorry” if I want to be able to have a good relationship with her.
There’s a great division in this country between blackfellahs and the rest of the country. People often think of the economic division, of black poverty - but really, that’s the most trivial kind of division, because with a $17 billion surplus we could correct it overnight if we wanted to, that’s $150,00 or so for each person with at least one indigenous parent. The more important division is the social division.
At least in the US people can tell a plausible lie, “many of my best friends are black.” Blacks there are at least around enough that whites can befriend them if they wish. But blacks here in Australia are simply invisible unless they can kick a footy or run down a track. This invisibility, this social division, is a continuing cause of the economic and health problems they face.
Just as my apologising to my wife for accidentally knocking her on the head heals a division between us - or at least is a step towards healing - so too apologising to the indigenous people of Australia is a step towards ending the divisions between us. At last we recognise them as human beings, worthy of being treated with respect and compassion, being apologised to.
Of course some men don’t believe in apologising to their wives, either. And this is perhaps the reason that women initiate divorce more often than men…
Adam, I’m not sure about “You can not … give an apology for something you have not done or responsible for”. We do this whenever we empathise with another person’s pain and want them to know we care. Eg, we say “I’m so sorry” to a friend whose relative passes away. Doesn’t mean we’re guilty. It’s an expression of support.
On the other hand, is it enough to say “I have never harmed a single indigenous person”? Do we bear no responsibility if we stand by and do nothing while injustices continue to be committed?
The PM’s apology was essential and long overdue, but it’s just the start. Justice demands that there be proper compensation to the Stolen Generations, and logic demands that this be administered by a Tribunal rather than having to be fought through the courts. Indigenous communities also have the right to the same standard of housing, health care, education, job opportunities and economic independence that non-indigenous Australians take for granted. Until that happens, we are all complicit.
I accept responsibility for my part in this national failure, and I commit to doing what I can. Adam, will you join me?
A GetUp! poll conducted by Galaxy Research has found that 68% of Australians now agree with the Government’s decision to say sorry to the Stolen Generations – up from 55% when asked on 1 - 3 February, before the apology.
The number of Australians who support the apology has leapt 13 points since the pre-apology poll, from 55% to 68%; the number of Australians who disagree has dramatically fallen 14 points from 36% to 22%.
More info - getup.org.au
I think what Adam is getting at, is the wrongful use of the word “we” in this context. There are several sorrys in place here, a “guilt sorry”, a “remorse sorry”, a “surgeons sorry”, an “empathy sorry”, and possibly more.
Relatively few people have problems with a collective “we” being used to express the empathy sorry - “We are sorry to hear that you were treated so appallingly in the past”.
Any guilt sorry needs to be localised, or else it is worthless. “Sorry for the appalling way past governments have treated the first peoples of this land.” is a better wording. The problem is that it is not actually true, the appalling treatment continues. For example, the NSW government raised more than $2B in land tax in 2007, a tax for the privilege of owning lands stolen from the first peoples. Proceeds of crime?
Zoltar (comment 14), your statement / thinking - a tax for the privilege of owning lands stolen from the first peoples. Proceeds of crime - is what got us into the current mess we are in, with the Vic Government looking at how they can control the approx. 40 compensation claims (one suggestion is to legislate a maximum amount, say $100k else the state Government can have budgetry issues which the average Victorian will not accept).
Actually PM Rudd was quite smart as he stated his legal opinion advised that there would be minimal if any compensation claims against the commonwealth. He had to say this as 70+% of Australian did not agree with saying sorry if there was a chance of compensation claims. What the PM forgot to mention (kept everybody in the dark), was that the claims would be against the state Governments, except for claims from N.T..
The Commonwealth Government may have to compensate, the States for any compensation payments, but with the Reserve Bank (RBA) instructing Canberra to reduce their budgets by $10+ billion, the Aboriginals may find that the Indigenous Affairs budget may need to carry most of any payments. It would be a very stupid government to reduce say, the Health budget to reimburse the state treasury’s.
As for all the talk of further action, I suspect that the RBA will effectively keep the lid on Commonwealth spending, as well as a resource (doctors, nurses, teachers, tradesman etc.) shortage Australia wide, but any actions will take years to start after they go through numerous committees, working groups and project management planning phases.
Tim Norton, so when a poll shows a majority of people think mandatory detention is a great idea, that means it is a great idea……..?
Empathy is not a political parameter by the way.
Tim (comm 13) I think you forgot to mention, that the same percentage (68%), totally disagreed with any form of compensation being made to the members of the (unidentified by the courts) Stolen Generation.
It would be interesting to see how the questions asked were worded, as I am struggling to find anybody who either supported the apology, and who is not hostile towards paying any form of compensation.
I did note on the day Sorry was said, a number of the Aboriginal leaders demanded compensation be paid, and that the Government was to set up a fund to enable automatic payments. If a fund was not set up, the Government was to instruct the courts to disregard any documentation on why children may have been removed as this documentation was all lies.
I, and my family have had limited experience with Aboriginal issues (my father , in association with Aboriginal communities designed housing for remote communities for the Federal and NT Governments during the early 80s - unfortunately the homes were trashed and stripped for fire wood, so neither Government was over enthusiastic about rebuilding). In the second case, our family brought up an Aboriginal lad who was brought to Melbourne for an education and to remove him from his drunken community. When educated, the lad would not permanently return to the community, and subsequently married a white girl.
In summary I would be interested in seeing the wording of the poll that shows support for the apology, and the demographics of of the poll. Who asked / what suburbs they lived in. I suspect that the majority of those polled were young, and from inner suburban areas.
Another take on saying sorry:
http://www.hayibo.com/articles/view/717
“Australia tells Aborigines the cheque is in the mail”
Oh boy,
Firstly, I was shocked to find just recently that PM Paul Keating actually did apologise to the Aboriginal communities over a decade ago. Was this supressed from media? Because having very limited recollection from my youth, surely something so significant would be televised and spoken about in Austrailian history class? I have the sneaky suspicion that it was kept silent to keep PK loking like a fool, which I am extremely upset about. Imagine, if the medai did that, how else are they controlling society, politics and history? Ethics thrown out the window. Of course I could be totally wrong, in which case I apologise for my ignorance in advance!
Secondly, I applaud Kaishu @ 11, the analogies are correct and decent.
Thirdly… now here is where I might cop abuse…. I am preparing myself for utter defeat.
I did have the speckling of an idea. There was mention about land tax…. why not have the government use that tax specifically on programmes for indigenous Australians. As a form of “we take and use your land and pay it back to you, like rent” sort of initiative. I am absolutely aware of my lack of understanding about tax schemes, and prepared for abuse on how I am wrong. I am only speaking in the “wouldn’t it be wonderful if” sense.