The Mercury Sunday Times More. JOHN Howard said it was presumptuous of anyone to claim he was out of touch with God for refusing to apologise to Aborigines. In a clear rejection of comments made by Sydney's archbishop-elect Peter Jensen, the Prime Minister said no one could claim intimate knowledge of the creator's will. Dr Jensen said on Thursday that Mr Howard's views on reconciliation were wrong and that he should read the Bible and be pointed in the direction of Jesus.
Most people are in favour of some form of reconciliation.
The disagreement's about a formal national apology by the Federal Government. He said Australians should not have to apologise for the actions of their forebears. Mr Howard was not perfect but he was among the few politicians in step with God, NSW upper house MP, the Reverend Fred Nile said yesterday. Labor's spokesman on Aboriginal affairs, Bob McMullan, said an apology was the essential first step towards a lasting reconciliation. Federal Workplace Relations Minister Tony Abbott said his boss was among the most decent blokes he had ever met.