Same thing happened in Canada. We apologized and compensated about a year ago for the decades the government forcible relocated aboriginals, i think in the early 20th century, into catholic schools where they were often abused.

Canada also apologized to the Chinese last year as well, because a century ago they basically built the trans-Canada railroad allowing us to settle the west. But after it was finished, we forced them to pay a head tax to stay in the country, like 500 dollars which was a huge amount in 1903. So they just ended up having to go back to China, many of them. It was really bad because other ethnic groups didn't have to pay anything.

In 1988 We also apologized to the Japanese who were put in camps during WW2. Don't know if there was compensation, many of them had their property taken away in WW2 that was probably settled a while back though.

But anyways, I don't see why anyone would be against apologizing. It doesn't change the past, but if it provides recognition for the hardships these people had to endure, and brings attention to the issue, then its definitely worth it. Compensation is fine, as long as its a one time payment type thing or one time property transfer, not the nonsense that goes on where aboriginals can make land claims for the rest of eternity and get constant tax breaks that amounts to nothing more than reverse discrimination.

It seems like Kevin Rudd is a stand up guy, unlike many of the people on this forum.

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"Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives." — John Stuart Mill