Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered an official apology to the Stolen Generations on the commencement day of the 42nd term of Parliament, 13 February 2008. In his address to Parliament, Rudd called for a bipartisan 'war cabinet' to work towards improving outcomes for Indigenous people.

A historic apology

In his speech, Prime Minister Rudd apologised to the Stolen Generations, acknowledging their mistreatment and suffering He described the actions that created the Stolen Generations as a 'blemished chapter in our nation's history'.

Rudd hoped that the apology would be accepted as a step towards the healing of the nation and the opening of a new chapter in history:

'If the apology we extend today is accepted in the spirit of reconciliation in which it is offered, we can today resolve together that there be a new beginning for Australia. And it is to such a new beginning that I believe the nation is now calling us.'

Education crucial for improving Indigenous outcomes

In his apology to the Stolen Generations, Prime Minister Rudd also acknowledged the need to focus on the educational needs of Indigenous children.

'Let us resolve over the next five years to have every Indigenous four-year-old in a remote Aboriginal community enrolled in and attending a proper early childhood education centre or opportunity and engaged in proper preliteracy and prenumeracy programs.'

Addressing Indigenous housing crisis

Prime Minister Rudd ended his speech to the Stolen Generations by inviting the Leader of the Opposition, Brendan Nelson, to form a bipartisan 'war cabinet' on Indigenous policy, beginning with improving housing in remote Australian communities:

'I therefore propose a joint policy commission, to be led by the Leader of the Opposition and me, with a mandate to develop and implement—to begin with—an effective housing strategy for remote communities over the next five years. It will be consistent with the government's policy framework, a new partnership for closing the gap.'

'If this commission operates well, I then propose that it work on the further task of constitutional recognition of the first Australians, consistent with the longstanding platform commitments of my party and the pre-election position of the Opposition.'

Early Childhood Australia welcomed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology to the Stolen Generations and expressed support for Rudd's commitment to improving outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

Read the full media release: Early Childhood Australia commends PM's decision to apologise.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology to the Stolen Generations is available online:

• Read The Australian's 'Full transcript of PM's speech'.
  
• Visit ABC Canberra's 'The apology to the Stolen Generations'.

Further reading

View these related news items on the Early Childhood Australia website:

• October 2007 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner responds to Prime Minister's commitment to 'new reconciliation'
• August 2007 - Government intervention in Indigenous communities – responses continue
• July 2007 - NT Update from SNAICC
• June 2007 - Report on child abuse in NT Indigenous communities
• May 2007 - Reconciliation begins with Australia's children
• April 2007 - New research into life expectancy of Indigenous Australians
• August 2006 - Extra funding for Indigenous early childhood education

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