Lexi Webster
On 13 February 2008, the Australian government issued a formal apology to Indigenous Australians, specifically the Stolen Generations, for the forced removal of children from their families by federal and state government agencies. The apology, also known as the National Apology or The Apology, was delivered by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and witnessed by thousands in Canberra and broadcast across the country. The apology addressed the laws and policies that had inflicted profound grief, suffering, and loss on Indigenous Australians, particularly the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and sought to heal the nation and build a future of equal opportunities for all Australians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 13 February 2008 |
| Who | Prime Minister Kevin Rudd |
| To whom | Indigenous Australians, especially the Stolen Generations |
| Reason | Forced removal of children from their families, communities, and country |
| Other details | The apology was witnessed by thousands of people gathered in Canberra and was broadcast all over the country |
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What You'll Learn
The Stolen Generations
On 13 February 2008, the Australian Parliament, led by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, issued a formal apology to Indigenous Australians, also known as the Stolen Generations, for the forced removal of their children by federal and state government agencies, churches, and welfare bodies. This event, witnessed by thousands in Canberra and broadcast across the country, marked the first time the Australian government acknowledged and apologized for the wrongs inflicted upon Indigenous communities.
The fight for recognition and an official apology for the Stolen Generations began with grassroots movements like the Sorry Book campaign in 1998 and the first National Sorry Day on May 26, 1998. The National Sorry Day Committee organized various events to spread awareness and build support for a federal apology. Additionally, the 1997 Bringing Them Home report, commissioned by the Keating Labor Government, recommended an official apology for past government welfare policies that had separated children from their parents on racial grounds. Despite these efforts, the Australian Government rejected the idea of a national apology for almost ten years.
In 2007, with the election of the Labor Party led by Kevin Rudd, the push for a national apology gained momentum. Rudd began consulting with Indigenous Australians to shape the apology. On February 13, 2008, he delivered a formal apology on behalf of the Australian Parliament, specifically addressing the Stolen Generations and their families. Rudd's apology acknowledged the pain, suffering, and hurt inflicted upon the Stolen Generations and requested forgiveness from the Indigenous communities. He emphasized the need for reconciliation and a united future where all Australians are equal partners, with equal opportunities, regardless of their origins.
The National Apology was a significant step toward healing and reconciliation in Australia. It symbolized a turning point, a new page in the country's history, where the injustices of the past would never be repeated. The impact of the apology extended beyond words, as it acknowledged the enduring intergenerational trauma experienced by Indigenous communities due to the forced removal of their children.
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The National Apology
On 13 February 2008, the Parliament of Australia, led by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, issued a formal apology, also known as The National Apology, to Indigenous Australians for the forced removal of Australian Indigenous children from their families by Australian federal and state government agencies. This event was witnessed by thousands of people gathered in Canberra and was broadcast all over the country.
The apology specifically addressed the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, often referred to as the Stolen Generations, from their families, communities, and country. It recognised the profound grief, suffering, and loss inflicted on these individuals and their descendants. The apology also acknowledged the breaking up of families and communities and the indignity and degradation inflicted on a proud people and culture.
Prime Minister Rudd's apology was followed by a 20-minute speech to the house, emphasising the need for this action and expressing his vision for a future where all Australians are equal partners with equal opportunities. The Liberal Opposition Leader, Brendan Nelson, offered bipartisan support for the apology, recognising the significance of this moment in Australia's history.
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John Howard's refusal to apologise
On 13 February 2008, the Australian Parliament, led by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, issued a formal apology addressed to the Indigenous Australians. The apology specifically addressed the forced removal of Australian Indigenous children from their families by Australian federal and state government agencies. This event, often referred to as the Stolen Generations, was a blemish in the nation's history.
John Howard, the Keating government's Liberal successor, refused to apologise for his government's actions. Howard received the Bringing Them Home report, which recommended that the Australian government issue an official apology for past government welfare policies that had separated children from their parents on racial grounds. However, he refused to use the term "sorry", believing that a parliamentary "apology" would imply "intergenerational guilt". Instead, he proposed a Parliamentary "Motion of Reconciliation", drafted in consultation with Democrat Senator Aden Ridgeway, the only Aboriginal person sitting in the federal parliament at the time.
Howard's refusal to apologise sparked criticism and embarrassment, with some arguing that his stance lacked leadership and empathy for the suffering endured by the Indigenous community. He defended his decision, stating that he did not believe that one generation could accept responsibility for the actions of a previous generation. He also attributed his refusal to apologise to a broader issue of failed policies regarding Indigenous affairs, arguing that the path to fairness for Indigenous Australians lay in their integration into mainstream society.
Howard's stance on this matter, along with his refusal to sign the Kyoto Protocol, was speculated to have contributed to the loss of the Coalition in the 2007 federal election. However, Howard rejected this notion, stating that he had won four elections and that Australia's non-ratification of the Kyoto Protocol was justified due to potential disadvantages for emerging industries.
Despite the refusal by Howard, the national apology by the Australian government in 2008 marked a significant step towards reconciliation and healing for the nation.
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Grassroots movements
One notable grassroots initiative was the Sorry Book campaign, which took place in 1998. This campaign culminated in the first National Sorry Day on May 26, 1998, described as "the people's apology". The day was organised by a coalition of Australian community groups and marked the first anniversary of the 1997 Bringing Them Home report, which detailed the findings of the National Inquiry into the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. The report made recommendations for funding for Indigenous healing services and reparations in the form of formal apologies.
The National Sorry Day Committee played a crucial role in organising events and raising awareness about the need for reconciliation. In 2000, they organised a walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which was attended by nearly 250,000 people from diverse backgrounds. This event, known as the Walk for Reconciliation, served as a powerful demonstration of solidarity and a call for the government to issue an official apology. Similar walks were also held across bridges in other parts of the country.
For almost a decade, the Australian government, under Prime Minister John Howard, refused to offer a national apology. Howard expressed deep and sincere regret in 1999 but stopped short of a formal apology, arguing that the current government was not responsible for the actions of past administrations. However, grassroots movements and advocacy efforts persisted, and in 2007, the Labor Party, led by Kevin Rudd, won the federal election on a platform that included a commitment to a formal apology.
On February 13, 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered the long-awaited National Apology to the Stolen Generations on behalf of the Australian Parliament. This historic moment was witnessed by thousands of people in Canberra and via broadcasts across the country. The apology acknowledged the profound grief, suffering, and loss inflicted upon Indigenous Australians due to the laws and policies of successive governments.
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Kevin Rudd's consultation with Indigenous Australians
On the 13th of February 2008, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered an official apology to Indigenous Australians, also known as the National Apology or The Apology. This apology addressed the forced removal of Indigenous children, often referred to as the Stolen Generations, from their families by Australian federal and state government agencies. The apology was the first item of business when parliament opened in 2008 and was witnessed by thousands of people gathered in Canberra, and it was broadcast across the country.
The wording of the apology was decided in consultation with Aboriginal leaders. In his speech, Rudd acknowledged the need for reconciliation and the acceptance that wrongdoings had been committed by one race against another. He also recognised the continuous connection of Indigenous Australians to their Country, community, and culture.
The apology was well-received by both Indigenous Australians and the non-Indigenous general public. It was seen as a significant step towards reconciliation and addressing the injustices of the past. Rudd's speech highlighted the importance of closing the gap in life expectancy, educational achievement, and economic opportunity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
However, reactions outside the chamber were more mixed, with Liberal Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson's speech receiving criticism from some members of the audience and Indigenous leaders.
Following the 2013 election, Rudd continued to advocate for Indigenous recognition and constitutional reform. He emphasised the importance of bipartisan support to avoid a "divisive national debate on race" and to maintain momentum on issues of constitutional recognition. Rudd also planned to donate $100,000 of his own money to a foundation promoting Indigenous reconciliation.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian government, led by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, issued a formal apology to Indigenous Australians on 13 February 2008.
The apology addressed the forced removal of Indigenous children, often referred to as the Stolen Generations, from their families by Australian federal and state government agencies.
The apology was witnessed by thousands of people gathered in Canberra and broadcast across the country. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma, was asked to respond to the Apology on the same day. The National Sorry Day Committee organised various events over the years, including the 2000 Walk for Reconciliation across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The Australian government apologised for the laws and policies that inflicted profound grief, suffering, and loss on Indigenous Australians, specifically the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, communities, and culture. They acknowledged the pain, suffering, and hurt caused to the Stolen Generations and their families and requested that the apology be received as part of the healing of the nation.
