After February 13…
I have been asked many times whether I think the momentum from the apology to the Stolen Generations is being sustained. I actually think that the momentum that has been generated is fascinating.
Last week (20/3/08) the Prime Minister, in a speech he made while signing a commitment to ‘closing the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people within a generation in the Great Hall of Parliament House Canberra, said he could not undertaken this commitment without first undertaking the apology. I believe the apology was the first step for Mr Rudd.
But, what was very encouraging to me was the response of people everywhere who took part in the apology. They took pride in it and allowed themselves to be moved.
It was never going to work for everyone, but it seems that most Australians feel better knowing that the apology was necessary. Now that it has been made, people appear to be motivated to build on this part of the reconciliation puzzle.
The apology has been a transforming experience for Australia and it is a critical step in building relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous citizens. Without that kind of relationship, we have never able to work together in the way we have needed to.
The apology introduced respect into a relationship that often included goodwill and compassion, but from which respect has often been missing.
Now there appears to be a willingness to do things differently — to ensure our actions are the right ones to deliver meaningful, measurable results. For example, closing the life expectancy gap will require a long-term, properly resourced national plan that has bipartisan commitment. The plan has to go well beyond combating violence and substance abuse to tackle the many factors involved in turning abject policy failure into success. Kevin Rudd’s Government is is emphasising the importance of two key approaches: basing policy on evidence of what works, and respectful engagement at all stages with Indigenous communities.
