When Kevin Rudd delivered an apology to the indigenous people in 2008, he committed himself and his government to a series of practical measures, designed to lift many aborigines from appalling conditions of poverty and abuse.
He promised a new bipartisan approach under the leadership of himself and the Leader of the Opposition. Subsequently, he promised the report on this great moral challenge on the first sitting day of each Parliamentary year.
Today these solemn promises can be seen for what they were: hyperbole from a Prime Minister who regularly makes grand statements but fails to follow-up on many of them.
According to Kevin Rudd, an apology to the indigenous people of Australia was the greatest imperative of his new government. Hence on the first day of sittings in 2008, Mr Rudd formally delivered an apology in the House of Representatives, surrounded by many of the elders and leaders of the indigenous people.
The apology was seconded by the then Leader of the Opposition, Brendan Nelson, and supported by most members of the House in a bipartisan common cause.
Apart from the symbolism of the apology, Rudd promised that he would tackle indigenous disadvantage.
Within a decade, he would “halve the widening gap in literacy, numeracy and employment outcomes and opportunities for indigenous children.”
He would also “halve the appalling infant mortality rates” within the same period. Thirdly, Mr Rudd promised, within a generation, “to close the equally appalling 17 year life gap between indigenous and non-indigenous” populations.
Fourthly, “over the next five years to have every indigenous four-year-old in a remote aboriginal community enrolled and attending a proper early childhood education centre or opportunity and engaged in proper preliteracy and prenumeracy programs.”
Finally, Mr Rudd promised “an effective housing strategy for remote communities over the next five years.”
These promises were significant for many people who had worried that despite the expenditure of billions of dollars over the decades, the conditions for many aboriginal people remained unacceptable.
This was particularly important in light of the reports into the appalling conditions of neglect and violence that confronted many aboriginal woman and children each day.
Mr Rudd also promised that he would establish a bipartisan commission, under the leadership of himself and the Leader of the Opposition “to develop and implement an effective housing strategy for remote communities over the next five years.”
He then went to London for the Progressive Governance Conference, convened by British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.
Eager to show-off to his international audience, Mr Rudd made a further promise about this great moral matter: “each year in Australia’s Federal Parliament, the first working day will be marked by a Prime Ministerial Statement reporting on the progress of closing the life expectancy gap, progress in closing the gap in infant mortality and mortality of children up to five, and progress on closing the literacy and numeracy gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.”
Mr Rudd failed to meet his promise in 2009 and again this year. Finally, at the end of the second week of sittings, the Prime Minister will report. What would his “progressive” audience think of this bad faith?
There have been seven ministerial statements that have taken priority over Mr Rudd’s report to the nation. Apparently the anniversary of the stimulus package and the national road safety council are now more important than indigenous disadvantage.
The joint policy commission has been long forgotten by Mr Rudd, while the fate of aboriginal housing remains a testimony to inaction and bureaucratic bungling. Mr Rudd will be long gone by the time frame for his other promises comes around.
This episode is the latest example of broken promises by Mr Rudd’s government. It reminds me of Carl Jung’s observation that “a man who promises everything is sure to fulfill nothing.”
Facebook Recommendations
Read all about it
Punch live
Up to the minute Twitter chatter
@nigelmcbain I don't see the nexus between gay marriage and gay sex education in schools. ACL does. Health issues should be taught whatever
@jennijenni a few companies are known to do that - ask for story ideas from job applicants so they can steal them later
: Bruce Springsteen: "I get roughed up crowdsurfing… people try to pull chunks out of me" http://t.co/jiHqt8agt9” it was him, @patricklion
Recent posts
The latest and greatest
The Punch is moving house
Good morning Punchers. After four years of excellent fun and great conversation, this is the final post…
Will Pope Francis have the vision to tackle this?
I have had some close calls, one that involved what looked to me like an AK47 pointed my way, followed…
Advocating risk management is not “victim blaming”
In a world in which there are still people who subscribe to the vile notion that certain victims of sexual…
Nosebleed Section
choice ringside rantings
From: Hasbro, go straight to gaol, do not pass go
Tim says:
They should update other things in the game too. Instead of a get out of jail free card, they should have a Dodgy Lawyer card that not only gets you out of jail straight away but also gives you a fat payout in compensation for daring to arrest you in the first place. Instead of getting a hotel when you… [read more]From: A guide to summer festivals especially if you wouldn’t go
Kel says:
If you want a festival for older people or for families alike, get amongst the respectable punters at Bluesfest. A truly amazing festival experience to be had of ALL AGES. And all the young "festivalgoers" usually write themselves off on the first night, only to never hear from them again the rest of… [read more]Gentle jabs to the ribs
Superman needs saving
Can somebody please save Superman? He seems to be going through a bit of a crisis. Eighteen months ago,… Read more
Most commented