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Labor keeps apology in black policy
Issue 70 - 08 Dec 2004
NATIONAL: Federal Labor will keep an apology to the stolen generations at the heart of its Indigenous policy, despite party vice-president Warren Mundine calling for Aboriginal Australia to move beyond the “sorry” debate.
Mr Mundine, a member of Prime Minister John Howard's new National Indigenous Council, this week said the argument over an apology to the Aboriginal population had distracted the nation from the real issues.
But opposition Indigenous affairs spokesman Kim Carr says both policies will remain at the heart of Labor's approach to Aboriginal affairs.
Senator Carr laid out early directions in the portfolio to caucus members yesterday morning, reaffirming Labor's commitment to reconciliation, an apology, native title and the need to replace ATSIC with an elected representative body.
He did not directly mention Mr Mundine's comments, a caucus spokeswoman told reporters.
“He said that there were prominent Labor individuals making statements but their statements are their personal statements,” the spokeswoman said.
“He reaffirmed, as our platform does, that we think there should be an apology to the stolen generations.”
The federal government has proposed linking Aboriginal welfare payments to behavioural contracts, such as keeping children clean and at school.
Senator Carr said while Labor recognised the need for reciprocal obligations, he did not want to be bogged down in a debate about rights and responsibilities.
“There is no such dichotomy. For any Australian, rights and responsibilities are reciprocal,” she quoted Senator Carr as saying. – AAP
 
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