On 13 February 2008, the Federal Government apologised ‘for the laws and policies… that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.’
Redfern Legal Centre issues an invitation to local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents to commemorate the fourt anniversary of the Federal Government of Australia’s Apology with us on Monday next week.
Gemma McKinnon, an advocate at the Redfern Legal Centre said today, “We wanted to do something for the Koori community in Redfern to acknowledge the experiences of our people. Aboriginal people have endured the worst injustices and the most painful separations. Ongoing efforts to continue traditions and culture shows the depth of our histories and knowledge.”
“While the Apology promised a future where the injustices of the past would ‘never, never happen again’, we are aware that little has changed for many people in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Continued socio-economic inequality and injustices show that there is still so much to be done. Redfern Legal Centre continues to be committed to reducing these inequities and systemic barriers to people enforcing their rights.’
Redfern Legal Centre provides free and confidential legal advice and assistance to the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, as well as engaging in law reform and systemic advocacy. We focus on matters including police and government agencies, housing and tenancy, family violence (and associated family law issues) discrimination and human rights, debts and employment.
The Apology said that ‘The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia’s history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.’ We invite the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to help us by sharing morning tea and a yarn on the morning of 13 February, between 10:30am and 12pm at our office at 73 Pitt St, Redfern.
Redfern Legal Centre acknowledges that we work on Aboriginal land, traditionally the home of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.
Contact Details:
Gemma McKinnon, Tenant Advocate: Tel: 0449 101 954 or 9698 7277 email: gemma@rlc.org.au
Elizabeth Morley, Principal Solicitor – Tel: 0412 601 016 or 9698 7277, email: elizabeth@rlc.org.au
