Rudd Aborigine Apology

On February 13, 2008, Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd made a formal apology to Australia's Aborigine population for the government's actions in taking children away from them. Rudd called the government's actions a "stain on the nation's soul".¹

Fast Facts

1. Children taken: 100,000²
2. 1997: Bringing Them Home report recommended official apology
3. New parliament's first order of business
4. Opposition prefers the term "Separated Generations" over the more common "Stolen Generations"

Stolen Generations

From 1910 to the 1970s, Aboriginal children, mostly mixed-race, were taken from their families in an effort to eradicate their culture. The children were not allowed to speak their native languages or have contact with their families. Some children were sent to boarding schools; others were adopted into white families.

Paul Rudd Facts

1. Born: September 21, 1957
2. Birthplace: Nambour, Queensland
3. Spouse: Therese Rein
4. Children: Jessica, Nicholas and Marcus
5. Speaks fluent Mandarin
6. Leader: Australia's Labor Party
7. 1981: Graduated Australian National University with First Class Honours
8. Since 1988: Member of Parliament of Australia
9. Sworn in as Prime Minister: December 3, 2007

Quotes

• "Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin said 'The apology will be made on behalf of the Australian government and does not attribute guilt to the current generation of Australian people.'" ³

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