Sorry is the first step

The National Apology on February 13 was a truly momentous occasion. The healing power of that simple word - sorry - has helped to build a bridge of trust.

Our task now is to make sure that we don't look back on the apology to the Stolen Generations as merely a symbolic gesture, but as the beginning of something far more significant. Sorry is only the first step.

The Stolen Generations survivors should benefit from both a specific, targeted response that comprehensively addresses the recommendations of the Bringing them home report, as well as broader efforts to close the gap in Indigenous life expectancy and health status.

Please send your elected state and federal representatives an email asking them to implement all the recommendations of the Bringing them home report.

The National Apology on February 13 was an historic and emotional occasion. The healing power of that simple word - sorry - has helped to build a bridge of trust.Our task now is to make sure that we don't look back on the apology to the Stolen Generations as merely a symbolic gesture, but as the beginning of something far more significant. Sorry is only the first step.The Stolen Generations survivors should benefit from both a specific, targeted response that comprehensively addresses the recommendations of the Bringing them home report, as well as broader efforts to close the gap in Indigenous life expectancy and health status.Unfortunately you don't have javascript enabled, so you're not able to send an email to your politicians through this website. Don't worry, you can still let your politicians know how you feel - below is a letter you can cut and paste into an email. The key people to send your letter to are:

Jenny Macklin MP, Minister for Indigenous Affairs

Sharman Stone MP, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs

Tony Abbott MP, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs

Your local federal MP (find out how you can contact them on the Parliament website)

Here's some text that you might like to use

Dear

The particular circumstances of Stolen Generations survivors require extra support and resources of which the National Apology is just the first step. These additional measures will only happen with the full implementation of the Bringing them home report recommendations, which include reparations.

The specific needs of the Stolen Generations are well documented. Research commissioned by the Ministerial Council for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs indicates that Aboriginal people removed from their families suffer from poorer socio-economic outcomes, compared to those who were not removed, across a range of socio-economic indicators including:

Higher rates of people with a disability or long-term health condition (68.8% compared to 55.3%)
Lower rates of completion of Year 10 – 12 schooling (28.5% compared to 38.5%)
Higher rates of being a victim of physical or threatened violence (33.5% compared to 18.1%)
Higher rates of being arrested more than once in a five year period (14.6% compared to 8.8%)
Lower rates of full-time employment (17.8% compared to 24.8%)

The Stolen Generations survivors should benefit from both a specific, targeted response that comprehensively addresses the recommendations of the Bringing them home report, as well as broader efforts to close the gap in Indigenous life expectancy and health status.

Now that the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition have apologised to the Stolen Generations, I ask you not to stop at this great symbolic action but to continue supporting the Stolen Generations groups by fully implementing the Bringing them home recommendations.

Yours sincerely,

Don't forget ...Your letter will have more impact on your local MP if you remind them that you live in their electorate!

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Sorry is the first step

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