12/2/08
Indigenous Affairs Minister Michelle Roberts will travel to Canberra to witness the Federal Government’s historic apology to the Stolen Generations.
“This will be a great day in our nation’s history,” Mrs Roberts said.
“It is a long overdue opportunity to recognise that a profound wrong was done to indigenous people.
“It is also important to acknowledge that the enforced separations of children from their families did not occur only in the remote past, but continued into the 60s and 70s.
“For too long, an Australian government has dithered and played with words. The Rudd Government has cut through that empty rhetoric.
“Its statement will end a decade of argument, but saying sorry will not end our nation’s responsibility towards its indigenous citizens.
“I look forward to working with Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin to improve the lives of indigenous Western Australians and achieve lasting reconciliation.”
Mrs Roberts said the WA Parliament, at the prompting of the then Opposition leader Geoff Gallop, delivered its apology to the indigenous people of WA in 1997.
A number of events have been organised to mark tomorrow’s historic occasion.
The Bringing Them Home Committee has issued a public invitation to an event on the Esplanade from 6.30am on Wednesday, February 13.
Each of the regional offices of the Department of Indigenous Affairs will also be marking the occasion and launching their Reconciliation Action Plans.
Interested members of the community should call their regional DIA office on 1300 651 077.
Minister's office - 9213 6600
