The Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples was issued on February 13th, 2004, marking its 15th anniversary.
The apology, made by the country’s former prime minister Kevin Rudd, marked a turning point in Australian relations.
The Stolen Generations and the suffering and anguish brought on by removing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families and communities forcibly were given special attention in the Apology.
It acknowledged the harm done to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout history, as well as its continuing effects on modern Australia.
By expressing respect and acknowledgment, Parliament has now created the conditions for healing to occur and for a united Australia which everyone is a part of. said Dr. Calma.
With shared objectives and a national narrative that encompasses a shared past and future, “today’s actions empower every single one of us to move forward together.”
Since that time, Australia has moved closer to rapprochement.
2009 saw the introduction of the first Closing the Gap report to the Australian Parliament. Since then, 12 reports have been released, each of which serves as a benchmark for changes in important health, educational, and employment outcomes.
Australia’s corporate sector has taken initiatives to improve the proportion of First Nations workers they employ, with many businesses adopting minimum employment goals.
Additionally, in order to improve the amount of goods and services purchased from Indigenous-owned enterprises, all of the Commonwealth, State, and Territory governments have created procurement targets. Indigenous employment levels are increasing in sectors like construction, office supply, and hospitality as a result of these measures.
After the Apology, the Stolen Generations Working Partnership was established to allow the government, service providers, and survivors to collaborate and address ongoing needs. Access to resources, recovery, judicial system support, and educating the public and educators about the Stolen Generations are among the concerns that should be given priority.
Additionally, there have been advancements made politically. The Hon. Ken Wyatt AM was appointed as the first Indigenous Minister for Indigenous Australians in 2019, making him the first Aboriginal person to serve in the Cabinet.
The current Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon. Linda Burney, is one of 8 Senators and 3 members of the House of Representatives who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
In order to direct and coordinate Commonwealth policy creation, program design, and service delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) was founded in 2019. Additionally, it provides guidance to the Australian government and takes the lead on initiatives to close the gap and encourage reconciliation.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remarked in a historic speech at the Garma Festival last year, “I am hoping we can forward the efforts of good-willed, hard-working individuals who want to see the nation move forward and justice realized.” recognizing that this is a necessary step in the healing of our country.
We take this opportunity to consider the original meaning of former prime minister Kevin Rudd’s words, which were, “A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with equal stake in shaping the next chapter in history of this great country, Australia,” even as the healing process of reconciliation continues.
