A lot of Australians said sorry today. Some did not. One most notable Australian — the man who late last year said that an apology to Aboriginal Australians would “only reinforce a culture of victimhood and take us backwards” — drew attention to himself by staying out of sight.

For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry for John Howard’s insensitivity.

To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities we say sorry for John Howard’s bloody mindedness.

And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture we say sorry for John Howard’s crass indifference. 

 

Read Christian Kerr’s account of the first Rudd Government Question Time after 3pm on our website.

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