Howard to snub "sorry" day

[Violet_Crumble]

Former prime minister John Howard will not travel to Canberra for the parliamentary apology to the Aboriginal stolen generations.

Mr Howard, who refused to issue a formal apology during his more than 11 years as prime minister, will not be in Federal Parliament on Wednesday despite a call from former Liberal PM Malcolm Fraser that all former PMs attend.

Asked today if he would be there, Mr Howard said: "I won't be in Canberra next week."

He declined to answer further questions.

When in government Mr Howard refused to say sorry, saying he did not believe today's Australians should apologise for past policies.

He also argued that apologising could leave the government liable to compensation claims.

Mr Howard's stance strained his government's relationship with Aborigines. At a reconciliation convention in Melbourne in 1997, indigenous people famously heckled and turned their backs on him.

Mr Fraser, an ardent advocate of the apology and Aboriginal reconciliation, this week said it would make the apology more significant if former PMs were there to show their support.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/expm-howard-to-snub-sorry-day/2008/02/08/1202234146422.html

[anakie]

1. once again showing his true lack of class

"I won't be in Canberra next week," he said.

Aboriginal leader Lowitja O'Donoghue said of Mr Howard's decision not to attend: "Obviously, he's carrying on the mean-spirited attitude that he had when he was the prime minister."

Ms O'Donoghue told the Nine Network: "It would have been big of him, really, to come."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23183638-5013172,00.html


Petty petty low life individual.


Peace

[Matilda]

2. You said it all.

The most mean-spirited and divisive prime minister we've ever had.

[Esra Star]

3. I don't think that leppered will change it's spots.

What is the format of the apology? Does anybody know.
Who is going to be there to accept the apology?
Are both the apology and the acceptance going to be unconditional?
I think the moaning needs to stop......sometime......please.

[canetoad]

4. Howard is gone.

Past tense. History. Yesterday's man.

Who really gives a rat's arse what he thinks or says.

[biggles1]

5. Small man, small vision.........