The Federal Parliament has marked the 13th anniversary of the Stolen Generations National Apology, but Prime Minister Scott Morrison has broken with tradition and not delivered a Closing the Gap report update.
Saturday marked 13 years since then PM Kevin Rudd delivered the national apology.
Mr Morrison told parliament the change was due to the timing of last year’s Closing the Gap refresh.
“Following this momentous achievement all governments and the Coalition of Peaks will deliver their implementation plans in the middle of this year, twelve months on from the national agreement. Fom here on reporting on our national progress will occur mid-year.”
Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney said it was “past time” for the government to follow through on the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
“We are best placed to find the solutions to the issues that affect us,” said Ms Burney.
“Labor remains committed to the Uluru Statement in full. That includes a fully constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament; a voice that reflects the diversity of challenges that we are faced with across the nation. A Voice that listens to our regions and remote communities as well as urban areas.
It’s been three and a half years since the Uluru Statement, it’s time to get on with it and get it done.”
