OT - Aussie question

mhectorgato · Post #1 » by **mhectorgato** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:42 pm

I've been reading some of the recent news regarding Australia and the Aboriginal.

Two of the photos show people turning their backs on the screen where the PM's address was broadcast.

Why are they turning their back? Are they rejecting the appology? Or is it some other type of symbolism?

Many of the other pics show people appreciating the message - both white and Aboriginal.

and

Thanks mates for helping out a genuinely curious mhg!

Gerhalt11 · Post #2 » by **Gerhalt11** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:51 pm

Well, I would imagine it's similar to the protests you see here in the States when Bush speaks. Prime Minister Howard is extremely conservative, so he's bound to piss off some people. Here in DC, we have those Code Pink weirdos on our doorsteps every day, sitting in on Senate hearings and screaming out in the middle of testimonies. Turning your back on a television screen is pretty mild by comparison.

Post #3 » by **TheGlyde** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:57 pm

^ Well Prime Minister Howard is goneski... voted out in the last election...

Unfortunately hec I don't know why, I haven't kept up with the news of it other than what I've heard on the radio which has said the apology was warmly recieved by almost everyone.

Gerhalt11 · Post #4 » by **Gerhalt11** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:03 pm

TheGlyde wrote:^ Well Prime Minister Howard is goneski... voted out in the last election...

Good call, Glyde.

aussie_magic · Post #5 » by **aussie_magic** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:08 pm

kevin rudd got elected recently, howards gone.....

People arnt turning there backs on the prime minister, he got cheers when he made his speech, they have turned there back on the opposition leader (howards replacement)

mhectorgato · Post #6 » by **mhectorgato** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:31 pm

aussie_magic wrote:kevin rudd got elected recently, howards gone.....

People arnt turning there backs on the prime minister, he got cheers when he made his speech, they have turned there back on the opposition leader (howards replacement)

Thanks for the responses.

Why are they disliking him? Is he anti-aboriginal?

Post #7 » by **TheGlyde** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:40 pm

Brendan Nelson (Howards replacement) supported the apology and made one of his own... So again, I don't know.

Howard for years refused to apologise and its now with the change of government this has all happened.

mhectorgato · Post #8 » by **mhectorgato** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:46 pm

TheGlyde wrote:Brendan Nelson (Howards replacement) supported the apology and made one of his own... So again, I don't know.

Howard for years refused to apologise and its now with the change of government this has all happened.

Gotcha.

It's all very interesting to me ... not that I'm very knowledgeable in this area or anything.

Thanks.

BTW - This was a lot easier when I could PM you, remember my TAR "bushie" question?

Post #9 » by **Bensational** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 2:58 am

mhectorgato wrote:
Thanks for the responses.

Why are they disliking him? Is he anti-aboriginal?

Basically,Kevin Rudd made an apology to the Aboriginal people for the acts of Australia's past (look up the stolen generation. i believe America tried something similar with the Native Americans).

This apology was long overdue, and for the last 10 years of John Howard's rule he refused to apologise for previous Australian governments ruining Aboriginal lives. Rudd did it, and it was welcomed with open arms and emotional responses.

Brendan Nelson, the leader of the opposition (John Howard's former party) towed the company line that Howard left behind and while 'agreeing to the apology' basically offered up reason upon reason contradicting it. it was a really inconsiderate speach that didn't need to be said and certainly not at a time as monumental as that.

i seriously want to see some misfortune fall on Brendan Nelson for the way he acted.