Published Tuesday, 12 February, 2008 at 04:13 PM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Minister Nelson-Carr representing Queensland at national apology for Stolen Generations
The Queensland Government will be represented by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr in Canberra tomorrow for the Commonwealth Government apology to the stolen generations.
Ms Nelson-Carr said it was an honour to be the Queensland Government’s representative.
“I am pleased that in conjunction with the federal government, we have been able to take members of the stolen generations from Queensland to Canberra for this historic event,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“A national apology to the stolen generations, their families and descendants is a very necessary starting step in the healing process.
“As the Premier has made clear, apologies are important because they signal a recognition and understanding of what has gone wrong in the past.
“Apologies are important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Queenslanders affected by past removal policies and practices, but apologies are also important for all Australians.
“I pay tribute to the strength and resilience of Indigenous people, and restate the continuing commitment of the Queensland Government to provide support and affirm cultural heritage and identity, including support to access to information about family and community links.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said even though Queensland apologised to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in 1999, it was important to be in Canberra to show support for a national apology.
“Queensland’s apology recognised the critical importance to Indigenous Australians and the wider community of a continuing reconciliation process, based on an understanding of, and frank apologies for, what has gone wrong in the past and total commitment to equal respect in the future," she said.
“We will however, continue the focus on the COAG commitment to close the gap of disadvantage between Indigenous and non-Indigenous outcomes across the key areas of health, education and opportunities to participate in economic prosperity. Queensland is working closely with the Rudd Government on this agenda.”
Media contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280
Ms Nelson-Carr said it was an honour to be the Queensland Government’s representative.
“I am pleased that in conjunction with the federal government, we have been able to take members of the stolen generations from Queensland to Canberra for this historic event,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“A national apology to the stolen generations, their families and descendants is a very necessary starting step in the healing process.
“As the Premier has made clear, apologies are important because they signal a recognition and understanding of what has gone wrong in the past.
“Apologies are important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Queenslanders affected by past removal policies and practices, but apologies are also important for all Australians.
“I pay tribute to the strength and resilience of Indigenous people, and restate the continuing commitment of the Queensland Government to provide support and affirm cultural heritage and identity, including support to access to information about family and community links.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said even though Queensland apologised to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in 1999, it was important to be in Canberra to show support for a national apology.
“Queensland’s apology recognised the critical importance to Indigenous Australians and the wider community of a continuing reconciliation process, based on an understanding of, and frank apologies for, what has gone wrong in the past and total commitment to equal respect in the future," she said.
“We will however, continue the focus on the COAG commitment to close the gap of disadvantage between Indigenous and non-Indigenous outcomes across the key areas of health, education and opportunities to participate in economic prosperity. Queensland is working closely with the Rudd Government on this agenda.”
Media contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280