The current approach carries an enormous social, political and financial cost. This is clear when we look at the exorbitant costs resulting from the Government's handling of the Cubillo-Gunner claim against the Commonwealth. This shows the Government has its priorities wrong yet again. Costly and divisive litigation results in millions of dollars flowing to lawyers and nothing going to the Stolen Generation. Every Australian, regardless of political allegiance, could think of better ways to spend this money to provide assistance to many who are amongst the poorest Australians.
Labor believes Australia has two choices.
We can either turn our back on the Stolen Generation, as this Government has done, or we can specifically acknowledge past injustices with a national apology and by agreeing on practical means to address the loss and grief of so many indigenous Australians. A Labor Government's response to Bringing Them Home will allow a reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians about our history. It will provide acknowledgement and an opportunity to move on together. It will seek to end division and costly litigation. Most importantly it will enable us to make real progress towards the goal of reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.