Summary

Kevin Rudd begins his apology speech by stating that he proposes to honour the indigenous people of Australia and to reflect on their mistreatment, especially of the Stolen Generations. He continues by stating that that time has come for Australia to address the wrongs of the past and move on to a new future.

Rudd apologises for the suffering brought to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, their families, and their descendants through the laws and policies that removed indigenous children from their families.

Rudd speaks about a future of equality in rights and responsibility for all Australians. He states that Australia has reached the time to acknowledge the past and reconcile indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

He then addresses those who do not understand the necessity of an apology by telling the story of Nanna Nungala Fejo who, as a child, was forcibly separated from ...