Australia says sorry

Well, i had the day off work today, however even tho i felt like sleeping in, i got up around 8am... I pulled my t.v. out (which hasn't been plugged since Nov last year). Now this is not a normal thing that i would do, but i wanted to join the rest of Australia to see and hear, the Prime Minister say sorry to the indigious people of Australia.

As i watch and listened to the apology, and see the reactions of the indigious people present in Canberra, and also throughout the country (the beauty of national tv), i was happy to witness and be a part of the long awaited apology. Just as i saw people's emotions run, i felt the my emotions run, as i saw tears run down from people's eyes, tears welled up in mine.

The opposition leader also made a speech after the Prime Minister, the opposition's (Nelson)speech was not as well accepted around Australia as what the prime ministers sorry speach was.... this is because in Nelson's speach it sound as if he was trying to justify the apology, (which his party didn't make when they were in charge of the country). Now i think that Nelson was in a hard spot, i believe he thought that the apology was needed, however a number of his party didn't believe that.... (hence why a number of his party weren't in parilment today for the apology).... so in some respects, i see Nelson's speech as not trying to justify it to himself. However still present the apology and agree with the apology while trying to convince the people who disagreed with the apology within his party, however the disagreement to the apology didn't just lay in the cololition party, there are people Australia wide who don't understand the need to apologise for something that this generation wasn't apart of. That is what i sort of saw/heard when watching his speech. I pray that his speech will reach those who before today didn't agree with the government making this apology. However he is also taking a lot of crap for his speech, and "ruining" this Historical Day...

Overall, It has been a great day in Australian History.... however it is only the first step... there is so many issues that effect Indiginous people, that are injust, like indiginous people lifespan being 17 years shorter then the rest of Australia, poor health facilities, a highier child death rate, just to name a few.... More is needed... Which was reckonised by both parties.


The full apology can be read here
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23206077-5006301,00.html

And some of the oppositions response here
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/brendan-nelsons-sorry-speech/2008/02/13/1202760366050.html


Lux