We're Sorry Brendan - you're the pits!

Brendan Nelson made it clear today that reconciliation and the rights of Aboriginal Australians are of no concern to him whatsoever. In trying to attack Kevin Rudd on his ability to prioritise issues of national importance, Nelson showed the country why he and his Party are not fit to hold office. This is what he had to say:

"Whatever the attitude of Australians towards this generation, apologising for things that were done by earlier generations, you've really got to ask yourself whether this is a high priority for the Australian Parliament."

It seems that Nelson can't grasp the most basic of concepts, i.e that we are all living with the privileges of what our ancestors did to the traditional owners of this country.

Nelson's comments represent his class interests. Matters of significance to Aboriginal people, such as reconciliation, apologies for the stolen generation, self-determination and civil rights will never be of any concern to the bourgeoisie. Unfortunately the 11 year rein of John Howard as Prime Minister has shown that it is possible to ignore the needs of Australia's Aboriginal people and still get re-elected.

Kevin Rudd has said that he will apologise to the Aboriginal people. 'Sorry', although more than just a word in the context of Indigenous Australia, is only one small step in the right direction. It's extremely important that he not only apologises, but starts to do something about lifting Aboriginal people out of abject poverty.

It's 220 years since the British stole this land from the traditional owners and it's only fitting that Mr Nelson chose the 'Australia Day' weekend to remind us of the ignorance, racism and hatred that helped to create the greedy, selfish society that we all live in. Nice one Brendan, you're all (upper) class.