Apology to the Stolen Generations a step towards restoration
(from the Australian Christian Lobby)

Since taking office, the new Government has been working on an apology to the Stolen Generations. There has been an encouraging development this week as the Liberal Party, under Brendan Nelson's leadership, has decided to support the apology. Such bi-partisan support is very significant.

Please contact your Federal MP and Senators and thank them for supporting this historic apology to the Stolen Generations. The apology is due to be made on February 13 as one of the first acts of the new Parliament.

Under the policies which led to the Stolen Generations, large numbers of mixed race children were systematically removed from their families between 1910 and 1970. ACL believe it is right for our national leaders to say sorry for the dislocation, sadness and family breakdown that these policies caused to indigenous families and communities, the effects of which are still being felt today.

The wording of the apology is not yet known. ACL hopes that it avoids excuses, is specific about the attitudes and actions that caused harm, acknowledges the pain caused as a result, and seeks restoration of the relationship. At the same time it should not shift blame or guilt to those well-intentioned agencies and individuals who participated in a genuine belief that they were acting in the interests of the children.