Is the Australian Government Sorry Now?

[Wedgie]

Possibly the only good thing about a Labor victory is we might get a formal apology in regard to the stolen generation now?

When will the compensation payouts commence Mr Rudd?

[Psyber]

Possibly the only good thing about a Labor victory is we might get a formal apology in regard to the stolen generation now?

When will the compensation payouts commence Mr Rudd?

I think you may have just scared him off Wedgie - that was the issue behind JH's disinclination to use the S.... word.

[redandblack]

You won't have to wait very long, Wedgie.

the people you voted against will do it ASAP

[Hondo]

Don't be surprised if 'modernist not ideologist' Keven Rudd is as careful as Howard was on this issue

On a radio interview during the week he was very cagey about the "S" word

I don't think this election result is a win for the extreme left, ideologists may be underwhelmed with what happens is my tip

[Psyber]

You won't have to wait very long, Wedgie.
the people you voted against will do it ASAP

I'd be very surprised if they did. Voters would support the expression of regret that it happened, and are probably nearly all genuinely sorry that it did. But I think it being seen as a plea of national guilt, as distinct from regret, would lead to huge compensation claims to follow, and create division in the community.

Personally, I accept that what was done was wrong, but I believe it was done largely out of ignorant good-intent rather than racial malevolence and genocide. Unfortunately, money polarises people rather than reconciles them - especially large amounts - more especially if it is ill-used a la ATSIC.

The moment a government says "Sorry" certain Law firms will see their potential percentages of No-win No-pay "Compensation" payouts ballooning before them and try to turn it into an admission of guilt and liability.

It is a minefield! The phrasing would have to be perfect. A government could express "Regret" but that wouldn't suit those primarily in it for the cash! [And they are not the real victims who would probably see little of it.]

[topsywaldron]

and create division in the community.

A bit like ripping kids away from their families?

[redandblack]

Forget the legal niceties, Psyber, that wasn't the reason why John Howard wouldn't say sorry.

kevin Rudd will.

[Psyber]

and create division in the community.

A bit like ripping kids away from their families?

YES no dispute about that, but we want reconciliation, not fomenting more conflict, don't we??

[Psyber]

Forget the legal niceties, Psyber, that wasn't the reason why John Howard wouldn't say sorry.
Kevin Rudd will.

We'll see - if he does it will be very carefully, and a lot of people will say it is inadeqate!
What do you think JH's reason was - do you really think he is racist!?

[redandblack]

Forget the legal niceties, Psyber, that wasn't the reason why John Howard wouldn't say sorry.
Kevin Rudd will.

We'll see - if he does it will be very carefully, and a lot of people will say it is inadeqate!
What do you think JH's reason was - do you really think he is racist!?

Racist? John Howard?

Surely he never used racism for political gain?

Now where is that dog whistle.

[TroyGFC]

Forget the legal niceties, Psyber, that wasn't the reason why John Howard wouldn't say sorry.
Kevin Rudd will.

We'll see - if he does it will be very carefully, and a lot of people will say it is inadeqate!
What do you think JH's reason was - do you really think he is racist!? :?

I do!!

[redden whites]

That vile ,evil and racist little man no longer is the face of our nation overseas.

[stan]

Possibly the only good thing about a Labor victory is we might get a formal apology in regard to the stolen generation now?

When will the compensation payouts commence Mr Rudd?

There may be a couple of good things to come out of the election. But like anything will have its down side as well. We'll just have to wait and see. Either way I still have to go to work tomorrow. And either way interest rates are going up. If howard one the reserve bank would still meet at the same time increase by 0.25%. But hey wedgie I hope you get your formal apology or your associated relative does, probably getting a little bit overdue now.

[Brad]

Lets hope he doesn't.

[mick]

Lets hope he doesn't.

That's pretty selfish and short sighted Brad, there's a helluva lot of poor lawyers who will be relying on this to put the kids through a good school or to buy a nice new BMW 7-series The stolen generation is a shameful period in our history unfortunately the buzzards are circling. I would rather Rudd made an ex-gratia payment to those who were wronged and keep the schysters and courts out of it.

[Brad]

Lets hope he doesn't.

I would rather Rudd made an ex-gratia payment to those who were wronged and keep the schysters and courts out of it.

Thats excatly why I made the statement, the money will only end up with the people who don't need it! The money nevers seems to go to the actual people that need it.

But Im sure it will be another huge cost blow out, as we would expect with a Labor government now back in power, god help our economy!!

[Sploosh]

I would rather Rudd made an ex-gratia payment to those who were wronged and keep the schysters and courts out of it.

I would agree with that. It seems pretty a pretty tough stance though to not want to say sorry because of legal claims that might (would) follow. Any chance it is because it is Aboriginal people who would be making a claim? If it were a different group, i.e. soldiers, aged people, whoever, I don't think we would be so quick to say that the injustice shouldn't be officially recognised for fear that the group concerned might pursue their legal rights??

[Psyber]

I would rather Rudd made an ex-gratia payment to those who were wronged and keep the schysters and courts out of it.

I would agree with that. It seems pretty a pretty tough stance though to not want to say sorry because of legal claims that might (would) follow. Any chance it is because it is Aboriginal people who would be making a claim? If it were a different group, i.e. soldiers, aged people, whoever, I don't think we would be so quick to say that the injustice shouldn't be officially recognised for fear that the group concerned might pursue their legal rights??

We are talking GigaBucks if the legal eagles get into it!

I don't thing it is selective against Aboriginal people. WorkCover and TAC over here are equally tough on average workers, or in the case of TAC injured passengers or bystanders, of any colour or creed - with all government organisations it is "Fiscal Containments 'R' Us!" Except of course for paying for Ministers trips to the snow or vote buying, and other important essentials.

[Sploosh]

I don't thing it is selective against Aboriginal people. WorkCover and TAC over here are equally tough on average workers, or in the case of TAC injured passengers or bystanders......

That may be so, but there is no general call from people (as oposed to politicians) to actively make sure wronged passengers, bystanders, injured workers etc aren't officially aploogised to in case they decide to pursue legal options.

[GWW]

There was an aboriginal gentleman from a settlement just outside of Meningie who received a payment a few months ago. I think this would be some type of precedent (of sorts) even without a formal apology from the Government.