A Statement of Apology

ORIGINAL DRAFT

I ACKNOWLEDGE THE NGUNNAWAL PEOPLE ON WHOSE TRADITIONAL LANDS THIS PARLIAMENT HOUSE STANDS. I ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE JIMMY CLEMENTS, ELDER OF THE WIRADJURI PEOPLE. Fellow Parliamentarians, Fellow Australians, Abo- riginal brothers and sisters, Jimmy Clements symbolises the persistence and strength of Abo- riginal people. At the 1927 opening of this parliament he was regarded as a curiosity. But he walked for a week to be there, and he was there for a purpose. We have his photograph in the grounds of the parliament. We have his photograph on the steps of the parliament. Jimmy Cle- ments now talks to us. He is saying this house is on Aboriginal land. Aboriginal people must always be at its heart. Without Aboriginal people, Australian governance means nothing. But when this picture was taken, within our fathers and grandfathers lifetimes, the most terrible injustices and cruelty were being committed against Aboriginal people. Not by nasty, ignorant people or soldiers on the frontier, but by people in suits, by governments, by bureaucrats, police and welfare officers. Today I make this statement of acknowledgement, appeasement and apology to all Aboriginal people for the offences committed against Aboriginal children and their families by Australian governments.

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In making this statement we move for- physical and mental harm that is possible to ward as a nation. We do so because today we be endured by man. Today is a day of not only acknowledge wrongs done in the Aboriginal triumph, a day in which we past, we bring into the heart of the govern- salute Aboriginal men and women who ance structure of this country a new vision have not only survived but now bring forth of our future. A vision filled with the power a new era for our nation. and good of over 50,000 years of Aborigi- One of the important aspects of my nal wisdom and knowledge that has never statement today is to take ownership within been properly acknowledged or understood the modern history of Australia for one of by Australian governments. the cruellest and most ignorant crimes When we come together and celebrate against Aboriginal people. This was not a and understand the great qualities of Abo- crime committed two hundred years ago. It was a crime committed by modern riginal culture there is nothing that can stop government. It was a crime committed on us as a nation. All Australians will have the base of a supposedly scientific principle opened up our hearts and minds to the origi- of the superiority of one race over another. nal spirit and thinking of this land. All Aus- Many Australians fought in WWII against tralians will have a chance to be in touch countries and governments that wanted to with the vibrations of the earth, the essence found societies on the basis of race. These of water and air of this great continent. It same eugenic principles were behind the may still take some time for us to walk policy of taking away Aboriginal children together but that will be our vision and our from their families and breeding out the destiny and, our lives, black and white, and Aboriginality from their physical and the very conduct of this country, will be mental lives. These policies were not more complete and true. carried out by evil Nazis or Japanese There are some in our nation who think fanatics, they were carried out by Australian that an apology is not necessary for all that government bureaucrats, policeman and has befallen Aboriginal people. Some of welfare officers. these people say that an apology is about I want to acknowledge the children who wallowing in the wrongs of the past. To the suffered so much under this terrible regime. contrary, today we move forward stronger All of them are great heroes as great as our and better. Governments have tried to greatest WWII soldiers. Nothing could suppress and eliminate Aboriginality. We make them forsake their families, culture or now walk out of that dark veil of ignorance where they came from. Nothing would and prejudice and into the light. We walk make them walk away from their heritage. forward to acknowledge the tremendous Because of their triumph we now go spirit, knowledge and resilience of forward as a nation with a far more rigorous Aboriginal people. understanding of the strength of Aboriginal Let us be clear it is not as a result of culture. The sacrifices of the stolen some white benevolence that I stand here generation will never be forgotten in the today, it is as a result of the historical annals of this nation’s history. We will look struggles of Aboriginal people to overcome back on their adversity with admiration for every terrible act, every adversity, every their spirit and endurance. We will

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remember them and in doing so we will on and spent some months with Noel Pear- never allow the rights of children to their son’s forbears on the Endeavour River in families, culture and heritage to be taken 1770. Theories now suggest that even away on Australian soil again. before Aboriginal people came into contact We need to de-politicise the history of with Europeans, the seeds of disease took our country. We need to objectify all that an enormous toll on the Aboriginal popula- has happened. We need to tell of all that has tion. We know of the military assaults on happened without fear or favour. Most of all Indigenous lands, the most notorious being in this we need to understand the true the genocidal actions of Governor Arthur in picture of what has happened, within our Tasmania. But up and down the frontier midst, to our Aboriginal people. atrocities were committed, lands were sto- In 1992 my great predecessor Paul Keat- len and Aboriginal people suffered. By ing said in his historic Redfern speech: "It 1861 the Aboriginal population was down begins, I think with the act of recognition. to 180,000. Recognition that it was we who did the dis- From 1861 onwards a new terror began possessing. We took the traditional lands for Aboriginal people. This was the period and smashed the traditional way of life. We in which the seeds of the ideas that led to brought the diseases. The alcohol. We com- the taking away of children first fermented mitted the murders. We took the children in the minds of people charged with "the from their mothers. We practised discrimi- protection" of Aboriginal people. Prior to nation and exclusion. It was our ignorance 1861, missionaries were prepared to accept and our prejudice. And our failure to imag- according to the principles of their reli- ine these things being done to us. With gions, that Aboriginal people were every bit some noble exceptions, we failed to make as capable as Europeans. But with the publi- the most basic human response and enter cation of Charles Darwin’s Origins of the into their hearts and minds. We failed to Species in 1859, a new theory starts to take ask, how would I feel if this were done to hold and the conception that Aboriginal me? As a consequence, we failed to see that people are a "disappearing race" starts to what we were doing degraded us all1". take hold in Australian public life. So let us now talk with some precision This had equally catastrophic conse- about the history of Aboriginal nations in quences for Aboriginal people and commu- this country since colonisation. nities. In the most optimistic circumstances We may divide the history of Aboriginal/ Aboriginal people like Colin Hood succeed European relations into five periods. In the in persuading figures such as Alfred Deakin first period, let us call it the frontier period that reserves such as Framlingham needed from 1770 to 1861, untold catastrophes to be preserved as traditional Aboriginal befell the Aboriginal people. We estimate hunting areas. But in the worst, and in the the Aboriginal population of Australia to be majority of cases, Aboriginal people were between 2 million and 400,000 at the time confined to reserves without any rights to James Cook and Joseph Banks dropped in work or lead an independent life on their own lands.

1. Paul Keating, speech to launch the year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Redfern Park, 10 Decem- ber, 1992

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This was the origins of the Australian independence suffered by Aboriginal peo- Aboriginal welfare ghetto which many ple in this period. The great struggle of ignorant people claim as a result of Indige- 1967 with the recognition of Indigenous nous culture. But I say to you, it was not people as independent citizens - Australia’s Aboriginal people who created the reserves, greatest Constitutional campaign and vic- who took away rights, who created depend- tory, has its origins in these early battlers for ency. It was Australian governments and Aboriginal rights. they have been doing so for over 100 years. But beneath the seeming progress of Throughout this period Aboriginal peo- Aboriginal activists in the 20th century, ple increasingly come to the mainstream of Aboriginal families were being torn apart Australian society to demand independence. by the policies of protection, assimilation In the 1880s William Cooper and Jack Pat- and paternalism. Even in later periods the ten petition the king and in other parts of institutional lineage of this terrible period Australia Aboriginal political organisations continued. Those of us with a one eyed dedicated to the attainment of citizenship, view of history like to focus on progress. land and economic rights start to form. But while the great Aboriginal leaders were But dark forces were at work in the gradually succeeding in changing the think- thinking of Aboriginal administrators right ing of the Australian people, the eugenic through the period from 1860 to the 1960s. strategy continued unabated. An estimated The formation of Aboriginal Protection 13,000 children were separated from their Leagues becomes imbued with an eugenic families and placed in orphanages or principle. Legislation passed at the time of adopted into white family homes. This was Australian Federation created an active the great unearthing that was done by the eugenic protection regime in which govern- inquiry headed by Sir Ronald Wilson and mental department heads were made the Professor Mick Dodson. The tragedy was legal guardians of all Aboriginal children. that it was first released in 1996 when the The goals of government were to simultane- Howard government first came to office and ously protect the dying race of Aboriginal little was done at a Federal level to imple- people and to separate out those of mixed ment its findings. race who could be assimilated into Euro- The legacy of my government is to com- pean society. In the 1930s the eugenic pensate the Stolen Generation and their power of the State was intensified and Abo- families for their suffering and I commit my riginal administrators like the infamous government to this mission. I commit my J.W. Neville were given greater ability to government to investigating and imple- determine every aspect of the lives of Abo- menting the recommendations of the Bring- riginal people. ing them Home Report particularly From the 1880s on the agitation of Abo- Recommendation 14 that "monetary com- riginal people like Louisa Briggs, William pensation be provided to people affected by Cooper, Jack Patten, Colin Hood, the great forcible removal under the following heads. Atkinson family, Fred Maynard, John 1. Racial discrimination. 2. Arbitrary depri- Moseley, William Harris, Edward Jacobs, vation of liberty. 3. Pain and suffering. 4. Arthur Kickett, Doug Nicholls and Marge Abuse, including physical, sexual and emo- Tucker was against the lack of rights and tional abuse. 5. Disruption of family life.6.

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Loss of cultural rights and fulfilment. 7. funds will be administered by 18 regional Loss of native title rights. 8. Labour exploi- Aboriginal boards of governance. The tation. 9. Economic loss.10. Loss of oppor- regional boards will have procedural rights tunities". This will not be done through a only and their job will be to maximise the lengthy litigation process but by the estab- flow through of funds to grass roots com- lishment of a $500,000,000 compensation munities. Communities will be eligible to fund and a claims process headed by Tom receive trust funds of up to $1 million pro- Kalma of the Human Rights and Equal vided that they can demonstrate the exist- Opportunity Commission. My hope is that ence of model governance arrangements this process would be able to be concluded based on the formation of elders councils, within this government’s term of office. economic development agencies and social But there is much more that needs to be enterprise development. These grants will done. Simple monetary compensation is not be one off funding to provide a long term enough. Too often in the history of this capital base for community organisations country a fist full of dollars has been used to and enterprises. Organisations will not be cover up problems that are deeply seated in eligible through this new fund for recurrent our community. I do have some respect for funding. However over time as these new the motivations of Prime Minister John local Aboriginal governance arrangements Howard and Indigenous Affairs Minister take root I expect the great majority of Fed- Mal Brough’s Interven- eral government funding to be channelled tion. But the problem with the intervention through these enabling organisations. as it was rolled out was that Aboriginal The great lesson of the stolen generation community leadership was not at the heart tragedy is that Australia needs to place of the process. Some may argue that there is more faith in the resilience and industry of no community leadership in some of remote Aboriginal people. This should not be Aboriginal communities. If that is true then something that is sewed onto a button. This we need to invest in renewing community is not something that should be used as a leadership because we know all too well trendy slogan. There is a mammoth amount that Canberra led projects do not work. of work to be done to undo the damage of It is time to end the bureaucratic power the past one hundred years. We have to symbolised at its worst by J.W. Neville but begin the detailed work of making Aborigi- in malevolent form also by strategies run nal communities work and of giving Abo- out of Canberra to rebuild Aboriginal com- riginal young people the chance to survive munities in our period. ATSIC failed and thrive in our modern world as well as because it was too Canberra based. Simi- the Aboriginal world. This Future Fund for larly John Howard’s mainstreaming failed Aboriginal Communities will be the basis because it was dictated by departmental of that work. secretaries rather than Indigenous leaders In conclusion I now ask the Speaker of and communities. the House to recite the language nations of Today I announce the creation of a one Australian Aboriginal peoples. In doing this billion dollar fund to empower Aboriginal we in this House pay our respect to the gov- communities to create a nationwide net- ernance and societal structures of all Abo- work of enabling organisations. These riginal nations and language groups. We

Page 5 of 8 A Statement of Acknowledgement, Appeasement and Apology acknowledge that in the future we must Djabugay inscribe the living language, polity and cul- Djambarrpuyngu ture of all Aboriginal nations into our con- Djapu Djinang duct and being as a nation. This is also a Djinba point where we may all personally express Dyirbal our regret at the wrong and hurt caused to Eora our original countrymen. I note that many Gabi-Gabi of these words will have never been uttered Gagadju in the House before, as we hear them let us think forward of the strong country we will Galpu now build together. Gamilaraay/Kamilaroi Gamu Adnyamathanha Gardudjarra Alawa Alyawarr Gugada Amurrag Gugu Yalanji Anindilyakwa Gumatj Gunardba Antekerrepenhe Gunavidji/Ndjebbana Antikirinya Gunba:lang/Kunbarlang Arabana Gungabula Arrernte Gunggari Gupapuyngu Baganu Guragone Bakanha Gurindji Bandjalang Guugu Yimidhirr Banjima Guwa Bardi Guwamu Batjala/Butchalla Guweman Batjamalh Inggarda Bidia Injinoo Ikya Bidjara Jaabugay Bilinara Jaminjung Blaikman Tok Jaru Buan Jawaraworgad Bularnu Burada Jeljendi Dalabon Jingilu Datiwuy Jiwarli Dhalwangu Jurruru Dhanggatti Kaantju Dharawal Kala Kawaw Ya Dharug/Dharuk Kala Lagaw Ya Dhurga Kalkatungu Dirari Kamu Diyari Kanyara group

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Karajarri Kariyarra Murrinh Patha Karrwa Muruwari Kaurna Nakkara Kayardild Narangga Kaytetye/Kaytej Narrinyari Kija Nawo Kok Bera Kriol Ngadjuri Kugu Nganchara Ngalakan Kukatj Ngamini Kukatja Ngan'gityemerri Kuku-Yalanji Ngari Kunjen Ngarigu Kunwinjku Ngarinyman Kurrama Kurtjar Ngarluma Kutanji Ngarnji Kuuk Thaayorre Ngarti Kuuku-Ya'u Ngatjumaya Kuyani Ngayawung Lardil Ngiyampaa Linngithigh Nhanta Mabuiag Nuguna Madngele Nunggubuyu Malak Malkana Nyangumarta Nyikina Malyangapa Nyininy Nyiyaparli Nyulnyul Mangeri Nyungar Manggalili Paakanytji Manjiljarra Pankarla Mantharta group Payungu Maranunggu Pertame Mararba Marrithiyel Yankunytjatjara Martuthunira Pitta Pitta Martuwangka Pulinara Maung Mayali Rirratjingu Mbabaram Mbakwithi Anguthimri Thaayorre Meriam Mir Miriwoong Tharrgari Mirniny Tiwi

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Umpila Yindjibarndi Yinhawangka Uwiynmil Yir Yoront Wada wurrung Yiwayja Wadigali Yiwayja/Iwaidja Wadjabangaid Wadjuk Yugumbeh/Yubumbee Wagiman Yulparija Wakaya Yuwaalaraay/Yuwaaliyaay Wakka-wakka Walmajarri Wampaya Wanguri Wanggatha/Wangkatja Wangkajunga Wangkangurru Wanyi Wardaman Warlpiri Warluwara Warnman Warray Warriyangka Watjarri Wemba Wemba Wergaia Wik Mungkan Wik Ngathana Wilbmbanndiy Wiradjuri Wirangu Wuy wurrung Yadymadhang/Jadjmadang Yalarnnga/Yalanga Yanda Yandruwantha Yanhangu Yanyuwa Yaraldi Yu-yu Maraura Yardliyawara Yarluyandi Yawijibaya Yaygirr Yidiny

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