Media Release

National Sorry Day is a significant day for all Australians, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities across the nation.

National Sorry Day marks the anniversary of the tabling in Federal Parliament of the Bringing Them Home Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families, on 26 May 1997.

Today on National Sorry Day we recognise the grief, suffering and loss suffered by the Stolen Generations.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, said that we must never forget the historic injustices and struggles experienced by First Australians.

The Australian Government remains committed to confronting and addressing past wrongs and assisting members of the Stolen Generations by providing healing and support services to reconnect with families and deal with the impacts of trauma.

Through organisations and programs such as Link-Up Services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Services the Australian Government remains committed to providing vital services to Stolen Generations members and their families who are continuing along their healing journey.

The Australian Government has commissioned the Healing Foundation to conduct a contemporary needs and demographic analysis to understand the numbers of Stolen Generations members across Australia and how we as a government can best support them. The Government looks forward to receiving this important work.

On National Sorry Day we reaffirm our commitment to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians.

The Australian Government continues to work in partnership with First Australians to deliver better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly in our shared priority areas of education, employment and economic development and community safety.