Tuesday really was our "Sorry" day.
Federal Parliament, in virtual unanimity (some MPs were "unavailable"), made its formal apology for acknowleged multiple and grave injustices inflicted on our Aboriginal population over generations, under Federal law.
It was a momentous day for Parliament,for the new Prime Minister in particular, for our Aborigines and all of us. There can be few Australians who saw or heard the drama of the day unfold who were not moved by it.
We just have to hope that this week's promise of Government/Opposition solidarity (on this issue at least) will see real progress at last, in giving Aboriginals living conditions,security and and the sense of dignity and "ownership" that is the right of every Australian.
For us to travel any distance down that road, all of us - black white and "whatever" - will need to abandon the heavy pessimism and the prejudices that have been the standard attitude to the "Aboriginal problem" for all the years I can remember.
This just has to be our best and (hopefully)our last chance to set things right.
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