Australia prepares for historic apology to Indigenous people

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MPs and people in the public galleries stand and applause after PM Kevin Rudd's apology to the Stolen Generation. ABCTV

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Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will say
“sorry” three times during his historic statement to members of
the aboriginal “Stolen Generation” this morning after the text of
the statement was released yesterday.

Mr Rudd will apologise for the "pain,
suffering and hurt of the Stolen Generations, their descendants and
the families that were left behind."

Source: ABC News 

 The document says the government will
apologise for “the profound grief, suffering and loss” endured
by the Stolen Generation and will add: "We reflect on their past
mistreatment. We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those
who were stolen generations, this blemished chapter in our nation's
history."

See the full text of the apology here.

 In a rare bipartisan agreement, Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson has confirmed his party will support the apology despite reservations over the word "stolen". See report from The Age.

The apology will be braodcast live on national television and radio this morning.