FED: Govt members wary of sorry motion

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-1999
FED: Govt members wary of sorry motion

Plans for a national apology to the stolen generation of Aboriginal children have run into
trouble with government backbenchers expressing concern over the plan.

Australian Democrats Senator ADEN RIDGEWAY, the only Aboriginal member of federal
parliament, is to use his maiden speech tomorrow to reignite calls for a national apology.

Cabinet secretary BILL HEFFERNAN has been working behind the scenes on the motion and says
he believes Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD has had a change of heart on the apology, which he
formerly opposed.

But government members have made it clear they remain sceptical about the plan.

Liberal Senator ERIC ABETZ has questioned the value of making an apology, and fellow
Liberal Senator ALAN FERGUSON says he still doesn't believe the current generation has
anything to apologise for.

But National Party Senator JULIAN MCGAURAN says he believes a national apology will be
supported.

AAP RTV ss/rp

KEYWORD: SORRY REACT (CANBERRA)

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