Media Release - National Apology Heralds New Era of Healing and Action to 'Close the Gap'

Frank Quinlan, Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Australia, has warmly welcomed today's historic National Apology by Prime Minister Rudd, which apologises for past laws and policies inflicting grief and loss on Indigenous Australians, especially the Stolen Generations.

Commenting on the Apology which was tabled in Parliament last night, Mr Quinlan encouraged all Australians to join together to commemorate the significance of this special day, and to use it as a rallying point for our future efforts to achieve equality.

"The National Apology recognises the injustice of some of the past practices which contributed to the entrenched disadvantage now affecting Indigenous people," Mr Quinlan said.  "The Catholic Church has previously asked for forgiveness for the part played by the Church in some of these damaging practices."

"It is our hope that today will mark the beginning of a more constructive era in which reconciliation can move forward in a way that brings some healing as well as measurable improvements in the life experiences of Indigenous people.  We cannot rest until all Australians enjoy equality of health outcomes and equality of opportunity.

"Catholic Social Services Australia and its member organisations look forward to participating in this new era, as part of a concerted national effort to ‘close the gap' between Indigenous and other Australians without denying the impact of past policies.

"Our member organisations value human dignity above all else and will continue to provide social services which reflect this ethos. We will continue to advocate from the same perspective about social policy issues affecting Indigenous Australians.

"We trust that the spirit underlying the National Apology will inform future Government policy-making in Indigenous affairs, including the forthcoming review of the so-called ‘Northern Territory intervention'," Mr Quinlan said.

13 February 2008

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