Check out www.saftv.com.au for Australia's top TV presenters .......along with TV Industry News and JOBS. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says sorry to the Aboriginals stolen generation 13 February 2008 The statement reads as follows: Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history. We reflect on their past mistreatment. We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations - this blemished chapter in our nation's history. The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future. We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians. We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country. For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry. To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry. And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry. We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation. For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written. We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians. A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again. A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity. A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed. A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility. A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia. Hundreds of Indigenous people witnessed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd saying sorry for the pain, suffering and hurt of the Stolen Generations, their descendants and the families left behind, in an historic motion in Federal Parliament this morning. Kevin Rudd's First words as Prime Minister were "OK GUYS"!!?!?? "Today, Australia has looked to the future. "Today the Australian people have decided that we as a nation will move forward. "Together, as Australians, to unite and rewrite a new page in our nation"s history. "To make this great country of ours, Australia, even greater. "Today, many people across Australia have voted Labor for the very first time. "Today, many people in Australia have voted Labor for the first time in a long, long time. "And I say tonight to the nation, I will never take that sacred trust for granted. "I understand that this is a great privilege, and I will do everything to honour the trust that is extended to me." Mr Rudd vowed to govern for all citizens of the nation. 'A PM for all" "I say to all of those who have voted for us today, to each and every one of them that I will be a Prime Minister for all Australians. "A Prime Minister for indigenous Australians. "Australians who have been born here and Australians who have come here from afar and have contributed to the great diversity in Australia. "A Prime Minister for our cities and our towns, a Prime Minister for rural Australia, which right now is experiencing the worst drought our country has had. "For our men and women serving in uniform in difficult environments around the world. "For all our states and territories in this great Commonwealth of ours, I will be a Prime Minister for all Australians." "I make this solemn pledge to the nation: I will always govern in the country"s interest." Kevin Rudd's victory speech for the 2007 Australian election. Mr Kevin Rudd,of labor Party walked into the stadium with rock music tumult raucous cheers, flanked by his wife and three children.Kevin Rudd the PM elected with a smile he took to the stage saying "OK guys".
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