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Maori Party pledge support for long-awaited 'Sorry' declaration
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
8:34:04 AM
Wellington, January 29 2008: The Maori Party has praised new
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's decision to say sorry to
Aboriginal people but says it is only a starting point.
In an Australia Day message at the weekend Mr Rudd talked about
the importance of race relations.
Before being elected last November he pledged to apologise to
Aboriginal people, something the previous conservative government
refused to do.
He is expected to issue a statement using the word sorry when his
government sits in parliament for the first time in February, although an exact date has yet to be set.
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia said past injustices needed
to be dealt with if Australia was to go forward.
Aboriginal leaders have long demanded the Australian government
issue an apology, using the word "sorry", for past injustices such
as the assimilation policies that took black children from families
to be raised in white families.
Those children are called the Stolen Generation.
"We are aware... that there is strong support from the
Indigenous peoples of Australia, for such an apology to be
accompanied with appropriate reparation for the damage wreaked on
Aboriginal culture, languages, heritage, lands and social and
economic advancement," Mrs Turia said.
"Saying sorry is a good starting point, but it remains to be
seen, what detailed planning is underway to achieve meaningful and
effective reconciliation."
She questioned whether the apology would have any real effect and
was an issue in New Zealand.
"Saying sorry is a great gesture, but it can be a pretty empty
gesture when we have been unable to raise the bar on treaty
settlements".
"As with any pledge made, the real test will be in the detail of
the investment made in generating hope for a solid future".
Aboriginals are Australia's most disadvantaged group with many
living in third-world conditions in remote outback settlements.
Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders number only
460,000, 2 percent of the country's 20 million population, and have
a life expectancy 17 years less than white Australians.
They have far higher rates of unemployment, imprisonment, alcohol
and drug abuse and domestic violence.
Until 1967 Aboriginal Australians were governed under flora and fauna laws.
In a referendum that year, Australians voted to include Aboriginals
in the national census and be granted citizenship. -NZPA
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