Australian PM in historic apology to Aborigines

Australia today apologised to its indigenous people for past treatment that "inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss," in a historic parliamentary vote.

Parliamentarians unanimously adopted Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's motion to say sorry of behalf of all Australians in a session of the federal Parliament that was broadcast across the country.

The landmark moment was watched by crowds gathered in front of giant screens set up in cities, students in school halls, and people huddled around televisions in remote outback communities.

"We apologise for the laws and policies of successive parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians," Mr Rudd said in parliament, reading from the motion.

The apology was directed at tens of thousands of Aborigines who were forcibly taken from their families as children under now abandoned assimilation policies.

"For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry," the motion said, extending the apology to "the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities.

"And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry," the motion said.

In a speech urging parliament to support the motion, Mr Rudd also offered an apology on behalf of the government.

"As prime minister of Australia, I am sorry," he said. "On behalf of the government of Australia, I am sorry. … I offer you this apology without qualification."

Mr Rudd received a standing ovation from politicians and scores of Aborigines and other dignitaries who were invited to parliament to witness the event. Many wiped away tears as Mr Rudd spoke.

Across Australia, Aborigines and supporters organised breakfast barbecues in outback communities, giant TV screens went up in state capitals, and schools held assemblies so students could watch the apology.

Today, there are about 450,000 Aborigines in Australia's population of 21 million.

The debate about an apology was spurred by a government inquiry into policies that from 1910 until the 1970s resulted in 100,000 mostly mixed-blood Aboriginal children being taken from their parents under state and federal laws based on a premise that Aborigines were dying out.

Most were deeply traumatised by the loss of their families and culture, the inquiry concluded, naming them the "Stolen Generations". Its 1997 report recommended a formal apology and reparations for the victims.

Mr Rudd has ruled out compensation - a stance that helped secure support for the apology among the many Australians who believe they should not be held responsible for past policies, no matter how flawed.