Government names the date for apology
The Rudd Government will formally apologise to members of Australia's Stolen Generations on Wednesday 13 February.
Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin announced on 30 January that the apology would be the first item of business for the new parliament in Canberra.
"A national apology to the Stolen Generations and their families is a first necessary step to move forward from the past," Ms Macklin said.
"The apology will be made on behalf of the Australian Government and does not attribute guilt to the current generation of Australian people."
Stolen Generations representatives and other Indigenous groups welcomed the announcement.
Christine King, from the Stolen Generations Alliance told AAP that she was 'overwhelmed' that a date had finally been set.
"Older people thought they would never live to see this day, it's very emotional for me and it's very important," Ms King said.
She said 'sorry' was the most important word 'because it has great meaning in our community, it means having empathy and compassion and understanding'.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma said the apology would directly benefit members of the Stolen Generations by validating their experiences,
"It will also benefit Australian society as a whole by re-building respect and reinforcing a reconciled Australia, where we can all feel proud that our national story and aspirations are shared," Mr Calma said.
Reconciliation Australia chief executive Barbara Livesey said Australians should feel incredibly proud of the nation 'recognising the mistakes of the past, acknowledging them, and moving forward together, indigenous and non-indigenous people side-by-side'.
In what is believed to be an Australian first, Ngunnawal Elder Matilda House will provide a national Welcome to Country as part of the parliament's opening ceremony proceedings the day before, on Tuesday 12 February, a move that has drawn criticism from the likes of WA Liberal MP Wilson Tuckey.
Ms Macklin said she had consulted widely on the apology, including with the National Sorry Day Committee and the Stolen Generations Alliance.
"I have also met with Malcolm Fraser and Lowitja O'Donoghue, who are patrons of the Stolen Generations Alliance," the Minister said, adding that other Government MPs had consulted on the issue and she was confident the timing of the apology was right.
She said an apology was 'the beginning of a new relationship, a bridge to build respect and a powerful healing symbol'.
"Once we establish this respect, the Government can work with Indigenous communities to improve services aimed at closing the 17-year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian," she said.
"The Australian Government has committed to a $261 million investment in improving Indigenous kids' health and early development.
"We have also committed an extra $15 million towards counselling and helping the Stolen Generations reconnect with loved ones."
Ms Macklin said she hoped there was bi-partisan support in the Parliament for an apology for the Stolen Generations.
The matter of an apology has generated widespread debate, including by some Stolen Generations representatives who feel the apology should be delayed to allow for greater consultation on its wording.
Opposition leader Brendan Nelson has expressed fears that an apology would lead to more claims for financial compensation.
The Rudd government has refused to introduce compensation for members of the Stolen Generations, saying it will focus instead on closing the gap in health and life expectancy between black and white Australians.