Hard reality of reconciliation on apology anniversary
The man who made a landmark parliamentary apology for the Stolen Generations says Indigenous Australians continue to face the “hard work” of reconciliation despite their achievements.
Political leaders, Indigenous pioneers and members of the Stolen Generations attended a commemorative breakfast on Friday, which marked 18 years since former prime minister Kevin Rudd apologized in federal parliament.
Dr Rudd has since paid tribute to Indigenous creativity in a pre-recorded speech from Washington DC.
“There have been failures and successes along the way,” Dr Rudd said.
“We often tend to focus only on our failures. In some ways, that’s just our normal human nature at work.”
“But doing this is not good for the country or good for Aboriginal people.”
Despite this, the former prime minister acknowledged that the “hard work” of reconciliation remains.
“Unfortunately, not everyone supports this,” he said.
On January 26, a man allegedly threw a homemade bomb into an Invasion Day crowd in Perth, which failed to explode.
The incident was declared an act of terrorism and police claimed that the suspect, whose name was suppressed by the courts, was motivated by a “pro-white male” racist ideology.
“This was a very ugly attack,” Dr Rudd said.
“It’s about the right of not only (Native men, women and children), but their non-Indigenous supporters and all citizens to peacefully protest.”
This followed the terrorist attack on Bondi Beach on December 14, when 15 people were killed when two gunmen opened fire on Jewish people celebrating Hannukah.
Mr Rudd said Indigenous and Jewish Australians shared the bond of experiencing the indignity of racism on our shores.
“We should never listen to the call of those who seek to dehumanize and divide,” he said.
“Racism is not only harmful, it is unpatriotic.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the apology was an important step forward but not the end of the action.
“An apology was never intended as the final word; it was designed as the beginning of a bigger, brighter story, one in which we will continue to work to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians until that gap belongs to history,” he said.
Mr Albanese delivered his annual statement on Closing the Gaps results on Thursday, which found just four of 19 targets were on track to be met by 2031.
ACT Supreme Court Justice Louise Taylor, the first Aboriginal woman appointed to a supreme court in Australia, said survivors deserved a special place in the national story.
“For the apology to have ongoing significance (as it should) our respect for survivors must be reflected in contemporary government policy,” he said.
This included properly addressing the challenges posed by the recommendations contained in the 1997 Bringing Them Home report.
Survivors of the Stolen Generation will have access to $87 million in support services over the next four years, including family tracing and reunification efforts.
Funds will also be used for compensation programs and access to healthcare.
Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said survivors who had suffered immeasurable harm needed ongoing and meaningful support.
“Unfortunately, the distress and pain for many of our people continues today,” he said.
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