As should be clear in previous threads, I am opposed to parliament issuing apologies for the actions of others. But if it insists, the 44th Parliament could move:
That today we honour the Australian people, who have come from the four corners of the earth.
We reflect on their mistreatment from 3 December 2007 and until 14 September 2013.
We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who pay taxes – this blemished chapter in our nation’s history. We reflect on the abuse of conservative supporters by the union thugs who held the country to ransom during those sorry years.
The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia’s history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future. We must never forget the wrongs of that period, so we will never repeat the errors of those who betrayed the confidence of the Australian people.
We apologise for the laws and policies of the 42nd and 43rd Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on our fellow Australians.
We apologise especially for the destruction of the budget surplus and the build up of government debt. We apologise for the stilling of debate and free speech and we affirm the eternal right to freedom of expression, freedom of the press, freedom of association and freedom of religion.
For the pain, suffering and hurt of Australians who have experienced the wrongs of the 42nd and 43rd Parliaments, we say sorry.
To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.
And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud Australian culture, we say sorry.
We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation.
For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written.
We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians. Where once again freedom of speech will be protected.
A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again.
A future where we harness the determination of all Australians to pursue their lives free from the dead hand of government and free to trade amongst themselves and with others around the world.
A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed – solutions from the private sector rather than inventions of this heartless organisation.
A libertarian future based on individual respect, individual resolve and individual responsibility.
A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia.
In the spirit in which it is offered it is not accepted. Throw the bastards out.
“A future where we harness the determination of all Australians to pursue their lives free from the dead hand of government and free to trade amongst themselves and with others around the world.”
Yep, Labour is absolutely into making sure that this happens!! I don’t think that they have ever come across the word “hypocricy” in the dictionary.
Good try. Fat chance.
In 25 years time Labor will be lauding Gillard as a Labor hero. Maybe 30.
Alternatively the apologetic mendicants need a special day, when they come to my structural security fence and leave a token but heartfelt gift in thanks for their govt organised extortion of my income via taxation to keep them alive and semi functioning.
A piece of quality fruit plus some smouldering incense sticks and a short personal note, that just says “thanks producer”….will be enough. A temporary shrine.
It’s all I need in return….but character is rarer than incense sticks…so it will never happen.
Perhaps a hand written note to those remaining taxpayers, sometime between late March and May,
This is exactly the point. JG has never apologised for anything she or her government have ever done (unless someone else could be blamed) nor has she ever unequivocally admitted fault for anything. It’s quite striking as in my experience of leadership and committees most colleagues even if they are confident and positive overall will be able to acknowledge past errors.
I intend toget all the alp-groin-totallydependent mongrels ,on TV in hair shirts ,bare feet ,ashes over them ,to very,very humbly beg forgivness from the Australian Workers for all the damage they inflicted on them ,before they get on the trains to the Gulags where they will spend the rest of their miserable lives!
Perhaps more appropriate to address it to all Australian, both present and future!
They are, afterall, going to bear [not] their share of the debt.
Correction: Australians
Great part of the apology, SJ.
These apologies are a massive joke.
It’s not worth a pinch of shit unless the outgoing Labor PM makes it as part of their concession speech.
How about an apology to the wives of philandering husbands?
If abortion had been as easy and affordable in the 60s, 70s and 80s as it is today, the apology would not be required….most of the women being apologised to would have elected to abort (kill) the babies rather have the birth and subsequent adoption.
Give the lack of Australian born children available for adoption today, many adopted children should be grateful they were born then and not in uterus now.
Nothing to apologise for.
The left are really scraping the bottom of the barrel in their search for Victims.
What next, national apology for children who ‘got the cane’ in the 50′s and 60′s.
@Bondi Tram
I would add the 40′s and 50′s.
And the apology should reflect this,
“Dear forced adoptee, we are sorry we didn’t have current abortion laws in place at the time of this decision”
And the best response to Tony Abbott’s apology is at paragraph 5,
This has descended into farce. Some of the ‘victims’ are now demanding another apology from Gillard and particularly Crean for stealing their show yesterday.
We apologise to future generations stuck with repaying the mountain of debt incurred in lining the pockets of rent-seeking warmists in the name of the protection of the interests of future generations
Splatacrobat,
As much as I loathe gillard, I don’t see why she need apologise to the wives of the blokes she rooted. The husbands have to do that, and they have to dig deep and find it within themselves to forgive themselves for actually getting it on with her. A 30 minute flagellation with barbed wire every day might suffice as punishment.
The wives would have to be real pogs for the husbands to have even contemplated (and done it) the deed with gillard.
These blokes really have no shame, or respect for themselves.