Right: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd greets indigenous representatives on the occasion of the historic "sorry" speech in Parliament in 2008.
web links and documents
The ABC has a comprehensive section of its Internet site given over to treating the federal Government's apology to the Stolen Generations. The site includes texts of opinion pieces and broadcasts of interviews with many of the stakeholders, including representatives of the Stolen Generations.This index can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/news/events/apology/
On February 13, 2008, The Los Angeles Times published a news report outlining the Rudd Government's proposed apology. The article gives background information on the treatment of the supposed Stolen Generations and also looks at claims for reparation.
It can be read at http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-australia13feb13,1,5658259.story?track=rss&ctrack=2&cset=true
The full text of Kevin Rudd's speech of apology can be found at http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/kevin-rudds-sorry-speech/2008/02/13/1202760379056.html
Many callers to talkback radio programs and those posting comments on Internet sites appear to have objected to elements of Kevin Rudd's apology. An article giving and overview of their criticisms was published in the Sydney Morning Herald on February 14, 2008.
The full text of this article can be found at http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/radio-callers-outraged-im-disgusted-says-one/2008/02/13/1202760398974.html
On January 22, 2008, during Radio National's PM program there was a discussion of the compensation fund the Tasmanian Government has established to recompense members of the Stolen Generation.
The full text of this program can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2007/s2144194.htm
On Febraury 2, 2008, during Radio National's AM program Kevin Rudd explained his Government's opposition to a national compensation fund. The Prime Minister's views were criticised by an number of others of those interviewed, including former Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser.
The full text of this program can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2008/s2152790.htm
A podcast of Aboriginal activist, Michael Mansell's views on the need for compensation for the Stolen Generations can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/rn/breakfast/stories/2008/2159228.htm
He interview was given to Fran Kelly during her Breakfast program broadcast on Radion National on February 11, 2008.
Andrew Bartlett of the Australian Democrats is promoting a Stolen Generations Compensation Bill 2008. His arguments in support of this Bill can be found on his Internet site at http://andrewbartlett.com/hansard.php?id=389
Hugh Macken, president of the Law Society of New South Wales, has argued that the federal Government's apology will not lead to a flood of compensation claims. This position can be found outlined in an article published in the Lawyers Weekly Online. It can be read at http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/articles/Apology-won-8217-t-open-legal-floodgates-Macken_z144499.htm
The radical Socialist alliance has published an opinion piece criticising any apology to the Stolen Generations without compensation. The full text of the opinion piece can be found at http://www.socialist-alliance.org/page.php?page=286
Similarly Green Left Online has published an opinion piece arguing that an apology without compensation has little value. The full text of this article can be found at http://www.greenleft.org.au/2008/739/38263