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Australia apoligizes to Aborigines

post #1 of 13
2/12/08 at 10:45pm
Thread Starter 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7241965.stm

Quote:
Originally Posted by BBC
The Australian government has made a formal apology for the past wrongs caused by successive governments on the indigenous Aboriginal population.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologised in parliament to all Aborigines for laws and polices that "inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss".

He singled out the "Stolen Generations" of thousands of children forcibly removed from their families.

The apology, beamed live around the country on TV, was met with cheers.

But some Aborigines say it should have been accompanied with compensation for their suffering.
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post #2 of 13
2/12/08 at 10:49pm
There better be reperations. Daddy needs a new gold diggereedoo.
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post #3 of 13
2/13/08 at 1:39am
I set aside my cynicism today for this. Amazing turn out in the city to watch the live Big Screen Feed of this and was taken aback by how many people showed up (it was during the early morning work hour, after all) and got behind it. Quite unexpectedly emotional.
Kevin Rudd acquitted himself well. For a guy who clearly is not a Great Speaker he did it beautifully, humane, dignified and "Prime Ministerial" Good Stuff
Highlight was the overwhelming, resounding "BOO" that erupted when footage of our shit licking ex Prime Minister appeared on screen in a pretty cunningly edited montage of video showing the long and frustrating road that got us here.
All things considered, not a bad first day for the new Parliament.
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post #4 of 13
2/13/08 at 2:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeShaynePI View Post
There better be reperations. Daddy needs a new gold diggereedoo.
The New Zealand experience with Maori is that, yes, there will be reparations. In fact, there are tribunals set up here to deal with just that. But Maori are 15-20% of us, whereas Aborigines are only 2% of Australia's population.

This is pretty big news in NZ, nice going Mr Rudd. Now apologise for the accents.
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post #5 of 13
2/13/08 at 2:51am
How are you accents our responsibility?
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post #6 of 13
2/13/08 at 2:55am
I was talking to a typically astute friend who commented that Midnight Oil's 'Beds are burning' played a role in bringing this issue closer to the forefront of many Australians' consciousnesses. Can any Aussies confirm or deny this? I love the song, and the idea that it served a worthy politcal purpose is a pleasant thought.
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post #7 of 13
2/13/08 at 3:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Samurai Mike View Post
The New Zealand experience with Maori is that, yes, there will be reparations. In fact, there are tribunals set up here to deal with just that. But Maori are 15-20% of us, whereas Aborigines are only 2% of Australia's population.
And the maoris have a treaty to refer to - aborigines just have generations of genocide - hence the 2%.

No it was pretty inspiring stuff I have to say, would have loved to have been there with Matt this morning actually.
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post #8 of 13
2/13/08 at 4:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Graynadian View Post
I was talking to a typically astute friend who commented that Midnight Oil's 'Beds are burning' played a role in bringing this issue closer to the forefront of many Australians' consciousnesses. Can any Aussies confirm or deny this? I love the song, and the idea that it served a worthy politcal purpose is a pleasant thought.
As much as I hate Midnight Oil, yes this is totally true. It most certainly opened up the eyes of younger folk who were first looking around for decent local tunes to call their own, and Garret was fearless with his message back in the day. Most certainly was many peoples first real exposure to the issue and it's one Garrent never relented on really. Kinda cool seeing him sitting there in the front row just behind the P.M. LIke I said, I'm not a fan, but I had to give the Oils one when during the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in Sydney the whole band played that tune with black outfits stenciled with "Sorry" all over them.
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post #9 of 13
2/13/08 at 6:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt OCallaghan View Post
As much as I hate Midnight Oil, yes this is totally true.
Could've been worse, Matt.

Could've been Tina Turner.
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post #10 of 13
2/13/08 at 10:43am
What's wrong with Midnight Oil ? They've got some great tunes, and their songs say somethng else other than 'I love you'

By the way, how's Garrett doing as a politician ?
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post #11 of 13
2/13/08 at 2:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeShaynePI View Post
There better be reperations. Daddy needs a new gold diggereedoo.
That's fine. Just don't let me hear about you squandering your reperations, gambling on underground Bunyip-fighting. It's just cruel, and illegal...... AND imaginary.
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post #12 of 13
2/13/08 at 2:17pm
Prime Minister Rudd?

"Diplomatic immunity."
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post #13 of 13
2/13/08 at 7:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DDay View Post
What's wrong with Midnight Oil ? They've got some great tunes, and their songs say somethng else other than 'I love you'

By the way, how's Garrett doing as a politician ?
I cant stand their music and I dont like Garrets voice. Simple as that really. I appreciate there is more to their music than just I Wanna Fuck You So Here Is Some Lame Ass Poetry, but I'm not and never have been a fan of their actual craft, as such.
Garret's tenure has been a bit dicey as a politician. He flip/flopped on a few issues he has long been a vocal opponent of, both in his music and general rhetoric, particularly the U.S/Australian Military Alliance and several environmental issues. Made himself look like a bit of a dick in last years Federal Election as well but nothing so bad that it's caused any permanent damage. Oddly enough, considering he has been such a high profile media figure for so long, he made a few Media Related Gaffe's that people pounced on but he managed to shrug it off relatively effortlessly.
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