Most of the people who are advocating the govt say "sorry" are after a payout. Otherwise they'd release the Govt from compensation claims based upon what will be construed as an "admission of guilt" - which they are not willing to do!
This was discussed earlier threads but if your in any doubt read on....
Call for state 'sorry' payout By Charles Waterhouse May 26, 2003
A TASMANIAN Aboriginal leader has called on the State Government to establish a fund to provide a minimum $50,000 to those who suffered through past policy to remove Aboriginal children.
Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre president Michael Mansell called on all governments to match the efforts of the Anglican Church in Tasmania which had offered to provide up to $60,000 for sexually abused people.
Mr Mansell said Aboriginal people who had suffered under the policy of removal of children should qualify for allocations from the fund of $50,000 to $100,000.
For the base $50,000 payment, all that should be required was proof an individual or family had been subjected to removal.
A special tribunal should be empowered to award greater damages, up to $100,000, for Aborigines who wished to argue their case for greater compensation.
There was no comment from the State Government yesterday on the statement.
Mr Mansell said the total number who could seek compensation in Tasmania would not be more than 300 people.
"We have consistently said an apology and compensation is due to Aboriginal people," he said.
"The taking from Aboriginal families of children for the sole purpose of trying to rid Tasmania, and Australia, of its black 'problem' was officially sanctioned. It is the official responsibility of governments to deal with the consequences of that policy."
It was known Australian Prime Minister John Howard would neither apologise nor make amends to families affected, but this did not excuse a lack of state responsibility.
An official apology was expressed by the Tasmanian Parliament to the stolen generations and Aborigines generally on August 13, 1997.
It was now time for governments to follow the lead of the Anglican Church and make amends for past harmful practices.
