THE durbar planned for April to provide us with "ideas for the future" is a noble objective if participatory democracy is your goal.
Eyebrows, however, have been raised somewhat higher than usual, followed by the obvious question: "Isn't that why we elected you?"
One newspaper speculated that among the "magnificent 1000" would be Gough, Malcolm, Bob and Paul, no doubt to ensure that youth were given a fair go, while media moguls David Gyngell, David Leckie and Eddie McGuire were included because they obviously lack a medium for projecting their views. Other shrinking violets suggested include Mick Dodson, Tim Flannery, John Symond and Dick Smith. It will be good to hear from them for a change, particularly Dick. What would a national talkfest be without him?
There is, we are told, no shortage of volunteers. Let's hope they are not just the usual suspects.
The concept is good but my concern is with the format and the time available for the participants.
There are precedents for such government-sponsored crystal ball gazing, Barry Jones's Commission for the Future (1985-98) being the most recent. It was, Barry assures me, the first Australian body to raise the spectre of global warming.
Of concern is what happens when 1000 of Australia's finest descend on Canberra and find they have only a few minutes to give tongue? The aforementioned take that long to clear their throats. This is not, however, the time to be churlish about an exercise enabling more citizens to contribute towards a national discussion about Australia's future. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's sincerity in wanting to bring more people into the decision-making process is beyond question but the appropriate place to begin is in his own back yard.
Let's start with parliament. All Oppositions claim that good ideas do not reside solely with one side: until they become the government. Then they would rather bite off their arm than concede the Opposition has an idea worth adopting. It's seen as a sign of weakness.
They could not be more wrong and should the day come when the Prime Minister stands in the house and accepts an Opposition proposal he will be amazed at the public's reaction. It will be seen as a sign of magnanimity. There are early signs that the Prime Minister understands this and his invitation to Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson to join him in a war cabinet to tackle indigenous issues is encouraging. If this degree of agreement is maintained it won't be long before we'll be talking about the Rudd-Nelson government.
Now to the parliamentary process. For years, in this column, I have been railing against the takeover of question time by the previous Labor Opposition's executive. Traditionally, QT was one of the few opportunities members and senators had to quiz ministers about their portfolio responsibilities. It enabled the Opposition to place the PM and his ministers under pressure and, while the leader and deputy leader traditionally received a few more questions, shadow ministers received the same number as backbenchers.
During the Howard years that changed as successive leaders of the Labor Opposition and their shadow ministers dominated QT. Opposition backbenchers rarely got a question. When they did, it was only after it had been approved by the tactics committee. Amazingly, Opposition backbenchers surrendered on this score without a struggle.
I tried to imagine Arthur Calwell, Gough Whitlam or Jim Killen being told they could ask a question only after it had been approved by a tactics committee. It is depressing to see that the new Coalition executive is following much the same practice. Hopefully the Coalition backbench will show some spine and demand a return to the traditions of Westminster. Picture Winston Churchill being told when he could ask a question.
The Prime Minister could also contribute to more open debate and the flourishing of new ideas by releasing the shackles on his backbenchers and allowing greater freedom in debate. Labor has traditionally demanded its MPs toe the line and stick to party policy inside and outside parliament. If they don't, they can be expelled from the party.
When legislation is vital and defeat would require the Government to resign, absolute discipline is essential, but there are many instances when greater latitude could be permitted. Freedom to speak their mind and on occasions vote against the Government would not only revitalise parliament but encourage members to take initiatives and canvass alternative views and programs. In the not too distant future it will dawn on Labor backbenchers how little influence they have on government policy and that the same bureaucrats who advised the Howard government are calling the shots. They will lose heart.
Parliament aside, new avenues are opening up through the internet to enable governments and Oppositions to communicate with voters in a manner previously unimagined. New legislation can be explained, comments received and views exchanged. Opportunities exist for an ongoing dialogue between parliament and the voters. It doesn't necessarily mean that advice received from the public will be followed and this could mean some dissatisfied customers, but at least they will have had an opportunity to put their views.
The forthcoming ideas convocation is a novel concept. It will succeed only if it is part of an ongoing process that enables Government and Opposition to listen, understand and respond. If that doesn't happen, it will be seen as nothing more than a PR stunt.
Barry Cohen, a former Labor minister, is a regular contributor to The Australian's opinion page.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Politics
Political News Media blog. Australian and international politics. Local, State, Federal. American politics. Part of the Media Man Group
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Kevin Rudd says sorry, by Dylan Welch - The Sydney Morning Herald - 13th Feb 2008
· Standing ovation for PM's speech
· Backs turned on Brendan Nelson
· Keating says words mean more than money
· Tuckey leaves before apology
· Crowds celebrate
Australia has formally apologised to the stolen generations with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd reading a speech in Federal Parliament this morning.
The apology was read at 9am to the minute, as the first action of the second sitting day of the 42nd Parliament of Australia.
Both Mr Rudd and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin received a standing ovation as they entered the Great Hall before the Prime Minister delivered the speech.
The reading of the 361-word apology was completed by 9.03am and was watched by hundreds of parliamentarians, former prime ministers and representatives of the indigenous community.
Former prime ministers Paul Keating, Bob Hawke, Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser and Sir William Deane were all seated on the floor of the Parliament as well as 17 people representing the stolen generation.
Removing a stain from the soul of Australia
In another address directly after reading the apology, Mr Rudd spoke of removing a "stain from the soul of Australia".
"The time has come, well and truly come ... for all Australians, those who are indigenous and those who are not to come together, truly reconcile and together build a truly great nation."
The Prime Minister also discussed the first-hand accounts in the Keating government-sponsored report Bringing Them Home.
"There is something terribly primal about these first-hand accounts. The pain is searing, it screams from the pages - the hurt, the humiliation, the degradation and the sheer brutality of the act of physically separating a mother from her children is a deep assault on our senses and on our most elemental sense of humanity.
"These stories cry out to be heard, they cry out for an apology.
"Instead from the nation's Parliament there has been a stony and stubborn and deafening silence for more than a decade.
"A view that somehow we the Parliament should suspend our most basic instincts of what is right and what is wrong.
"A view that instead we should look for any pretext to push this great wrong to one side.
"To leave it languishing with the historians, the academics and the cultural warriors as if the stolen generations are little more than an interesting sociological phenomenon.
"But the stolen generations are not intellectual curiosities, they are human beings, human beings who have been damaged deeply by the decisions of parliaments and governments.
Time for denial is at an end
"But as of today the time for denial, the time for delay, has at last come to an end."
At 9.28pm Mr Rudd finished his address, and was greeted by loud and lasting applause by both sides of the house.
He reached across the house's table and shook the hand of Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson before returning to the front bench, where he himself applauded.
Brendan Nelson
Dr Nelson then stood and delivered a speech in support of the apology.
"We will be at our best today, and every day, if we call to place ourselves in the shoes of others," he said, "imbued with the imaginative capacity to see this issue through their eyes with decency and respect.
"We cannot from the comfort of the 21st century begin to imagine what they overcame, indigenous and non-indigenous to give us what we have and make us who we are.
"We do know that language, disease, ignorance, good intentions, basic human prejudices and a cultural and technological chasm combined to create a harshness exceed only by the land.
"In saying we are sorry, and deeply sorry, we remind ourselves that each generation lives in ignorance of the long-term consequences of its actions."
At the end of Mr Rudds's speech, all MPs stood except for the Liberal MP Chris Pearce. Mr Pearce did stand after Dr Nelson's speech.
Liberal MPs Wilson Tuckey and Don Randall were not in the chamber.
People watching in the Great Hall turned their backs during Dr Nelson's speech.
Paul Keating: words more important than money
Mr Keating told ABC TV: "This is a day of open hearts''.
"A country has always got to look for its golden threads and when we start looking for the black threads you lose your way,'' he said. "We lost our way for a decade looking for black threads.
"What is important is that when policy cut across the human spirit we are always in for misery and as a consequence the stolen generation was a cut right across the spirit of those people and the soul of the country.''
Mr Keating's government was responsible for commissioning a report into the stolen generations which focused on possible processes of compensation.
However today, Mr Keating said words were more important than money.
"It is true the report does in some respects focus on compensation,'' he said.
"The most important thing is the sorry. The most important thing is the national emotional response. I don't believe that these separations or that sadness will ever be settled in a monetary sense.
"It can never be settled in a monetary sense. Far more important in my term was to settle it in an emotional sense and that's what the prime minister and government have done today.''
Redfern
Mr Rudd's speech received a standing ovation at the Redfern Community Centre, where hundreds gathered.
Residents, workers, families, students and Sydney's Lord Mayor Clover Moore braved the rain to watch the speech via a large outdoor screen.
David Page, composer with the indigenous dance group Bangarra Dance Theatre, said he liked the fact that Mr Rudd made a personal apology.
"It was very moving to see a prime minister with a bit of heart. I loved it when he said he was sorry. There was just something personal about it. It's very hard for a prime minister to be personal," he said.
Enid Williams, 72, who was brought up on a mission in north Queensland after her father was forcibly removed from his family, said she was happy with Mr Rudd's speech, but said it was now important to look to the future.
"I'm 72. The main thing is the young people, to give them a better future."
Martin Place
At Martin Place in Sydney, hundreds of Sydneysiders from all walks of life gathered to watch the Sorry Day celebrations holding Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags.
Men and women in business suits, schoolchildren and other passers-by of all different backgrounds cried, smiled and stood in respect as they listened to Mr Rudd apologise.
Lawn at Parliament House
Many thousands more assembled on a lawn in front of Parliament House to watch the apology on a big screen. As Mr Rudd delivered the first of three sorrys, loud applause and cheering rang out.
Aboriginal flags and Australian flags coloured the air and as Mr Rudd closed his address, the crowd rose to their feet in applause. It was a standing ovation. Many were crying, most were smiling and others just quietly said yes.
As Dr Nelson took the microphone, booing was heard. One woman said he shouldn't have been allowed to speak.
Helen Ford, 70, from Beacon Hill said Mr Rudd's speech was magnificent.
"Mr Rudd's speech was just magnificent. It's a wonderful day. Pity about the Opposition speech."
Ray Finn, 52, from Oodnadatta, South Australia, said: "My family had been affected directly and I felt like the chain had finally broke from us.
"There's still racism to deal with but hopefully from this day we'll go forward together."
Torres Straits Islander Lydia George, from Erub Island, said: "The first speech was very symbolic. The second speaker tarnished it. I was thinking of my granddaughter and her future is now, not tomorrow. She'll face a new future that will be bright. The healing process has began."
Wilson Tuckey
Mr Rudd's speech was not greeted with unanimous approval, however, with Mr Tuckey telling Sky News shortly before 9am he doubted the speech - which has bipartisan support - would change anything.
"So the Prime Minister reads a speech, apparently some people stand up and sit down and then a miracle happens over night, there'll be no petrol sniffing ... and girls can sleep safely in the family bed at night," he said.
When asked by Sky News if he supported the apology, a technical error occurred, with Mr Tuckey telling the camera he was unable to hear the question.
- with Edmund Tadros, Yuko Narushima, Phillip Hudson, Leesha McKenny and AAP
TOMORROW: Sydney Morning Herald souvenir Sorry Day edition.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Politics
· Backs turned on Brendan Nelson
· Keating says words mean more than money
· Tuckey leaves before apology
· Crowds celebrate
Australia has formally apologised to the stolen generations with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd reading a speech in Federal Parliament this morning.
The apology was read at 9am to the minute, as the first action of the second sitting day of the 42nd Parliament of Australia.
Both Mr Rudd and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin received a standing ovation as they entered the Great Hall before the Prime Minister delivered the speech.
The reading of the 361-word apology was completed by 9.03am and was watched by hundreds of parliamentarians, former prime ministers and representatives of the indigenous community.
Former prime ministers Paul Keating, Bob Hawke, Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser and Sir William Deane were all seated on the floor of the Parliament as well as 17 people representing the stolen generation.
Removing a stain from the soul of Australia
In another address directly after reading the apology, Mr Rudd spoke of removing a "stain from the soul of Australia".
"The time has come, well and truly come ... for all Australians, those who are indigenous and those who are not to come together, truly reconcile and together build a truly great nation."
The Prime Minister also discussed the first-hand accounts in the Keating government-sponsored report Bringing Them Home.
"There is something terribly primal about these first-hand accounts. The pain is searing, it screams from the pages - the hurt, the humiliation, the degradation and the sheer brutality of the act of physically separating a mother from her children is a deep assault on our senses and on our most elemental sense of humanity.
"These stories cry out to be heard, they cry out for an apology.
"Instead from the nation's Parliament there has been a stony and stubborn and deafening silence for more than a decade.
"A view that somehow we the Parliament should suspend our most basic instincts of what is right and what is wrong.
"A view that instead we should look for any pretext to push this great wrong to one side.
"To leave it languishing with the historians, the academics and the cultural warriors as if the stolen generations are little more than an interesting sociological phenomenon.
"But the stolen generations are not intellectual curiosities, they are human beings, human beings who have been damaged deeply by the decisions of parliaments and governments.
Time for denial is at an end
"But as of today the time for denial, the time for delay, has at last come to an end."
At 9.28pm Mr Rudd finished his address, and was greeted by loud and lasting applause by both sides of the house.
He reached across the house's table and shook the hand of Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson before returning to the front bench, where he himself applauded.
Brendan Nelson
Dr Nelson then stood and delivered a speech in support of the apology.
"We will be at our best today, and every day, if we call to place ourselves in the shoes of others," he said, "imbued with the imaginative capacity to see this issue through their eyes with decency and respect.
"We cannot from the comfort of the 21st century begin to imagine what they overcame, indigenous and non-indigenous to give us what we have and make us who we are.
"We do know that language, disease, ignorance, good intentions, basic human prejudices and a cultural and technological chasm combined to create a harshness exceed only by the land.
"In saying we are sorry, and deeply sorry, we remind ourselves that each generation lives in ignorance of the long-term consequences of its actions."
At the end of Mr Rudds's speech, all MPs stood except for the Liberal MP Chris Pearce. Mr Pearce did stand after Dr Nelson's speech.
Liberal MPs Wilson Tuckey and Don Randall were not in the chamber.
People watching in the Great Hall turned their backs during Dr Nelson's speech.
Paul Keating: words more important than money
Mr Keating told ABC TV: "This is a day of open hearts''.
"A country has always got to look for its golden threads and when we start looking for the black threads you lose your way,'' he said. "We lost our way for a decade looking for black threads.
"What is important is that when policy cut across the human spirit we are always in for misery and as a consequence the stolen generation was a cut right across the spirit of those people and the soul of the country.''
Mr Keating's government was responsible for commissioning a report into the stolen generations which focused on possible processes of compensation.
However today, Mr Keating said words were more important than money.
"It is true the report does in some respects focus on compensation,'' he said.
"The most important thing is the sorry. The most important thing is the national emotional response. I don't believe that these separations or that sadness will ever be settled in a monetary sense.
"It can never be settled in a monetary sense. Far more important in my term was to settle it in an emotional sense and that's what the prime minister and government have done today.''
Redfern
Mr Rudd's speech received a standing ovation at the Redfern Community Centre, where hundreds gathered.
Residents, workers, families, students and Sydney's Lord Mayor Clover Moore braved the rain to watch the speech via a large outdoor screen.
David Page, composer with the indigenous dance group Bangarra Dance Theatre, said he liked the fact that Mr Rudd made a personal apology.
"It was very moving to see a prime minister with a bit of heart. I loved it when he said he was sorry. There was just something personal about it. It's very hard for a prime minister to be personal," he said.
Enid Williams, 72, who was brought up on a mission in north Queensland after her father was forcibly removed from his family, said she was happy with Mr Rudd's speech, but said it was now important to look to the future.
"I'm 72. The main thing is the young people, to give them a better future."
Martin Place
At Martin Place in Sydney, hundreds of Sydneysiders from all walks of life gathered to watch the Sorry Day celebrations holding Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags.
Men and women in business suits, schoolchildren and other passers-by of all different backgrounds cried, smiled and stood in respect as they listened to Mr Rudd apologise.
Lawn at Parliament House
Many thousands more assembled on a lawn in front of Parliament House to watch the apology on a big screen. As Mr Rudd delivered the first of three sorrys, loud applause and cheering rang out.
Aboriginal flags and Australian flags coloured the air and as Mr Rudd closed his address, the crowd rose to their feet in applause. It was a standing ovation. Many were crying, most were smiling and others just quietly said yes.
As Dr Nelson took the microphone, booing was heard. One woman said he shouldn't have been allowed to speak.
Helen Ford, 70, from Beacon Hill said Mr Rudd's speech was magnificent.
"Mr Rudd's speech was just magnificent. It's a wonderful day. Pity about the Opposition speech."
Ray Finn, 52, from Oodnadatta, South Australia, said: "My family had been affected directly and I felt like the chain had finally broke from us.
"There's still racism to deal with but hopefully from this day we'll go forward together."
Torres Straits Islander Lydia George, from Erub Island, said: "The first speech was very symbolic. The second speaker tarnished it. I was thinking of my granddaughter and her future is now, not tomorrow. She'll face a new future that will be bright. The healing process has began."
Wilson Tuckey
Mr Rudd's speech was not greeted with unanimous approval, however, with Mr Tuckey telling Sky News shortly before 9am he doubted the speech - which has bipartisan support - would change anything.
"So the Prime Minister reads a speech, apparently some people stand up and sit down and then a miracle happens over night, there'll be no petrol sniffing ... and girls can sleep safely in the family bed at night," he said.
When asked by Sky News if he supported the apology, a technical error occurred, with Mr Tuckey telling the camera he was unable to hear the question.
- with Edmund Tadros, Yuko Narushima, Phillip Hudson, Leesha McKenny and AAP
TOMORROW: Sydney Morning Herald souvenir Sorry Day edition.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Politics
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Whale of an idea comes from council, By Mark O'Brien - St George and Sutherland Shire Leader - 9th Feb 2008
SUTHERLAND Shire Council has voted to "adopt" a whale and Mayor David Redmond will write to Mayor Yoshihide Yada of the shire's sister city Chuo, Japan, to restate the council's objections to whaling.
The council became the 53rd local government area to join the Humpback Icon Project at its Monday meeting, going beyond an initial staff recommendation to simply sign up to the project.
The idea is for the council to officially "adopt" an identified humpback whale that can then be named by the community and spotted on its annual migrations.
Waverley, Randwick, Woollahra, Leichhardt, Pittwater, Manly and Mosman councils all have their own whale as part of the project already.
As part of its decision on Monday the council will erect a sign at Kurnell when the whale is named. Project director Rachel Kathriner praised the council's decision and said there was strength in numbers.
"It's very important that coastal councils, particularly councils with sister cities in Japan, show their opposition to whaling," she said.
"This project raises awareness, links the community and council and personalises the issue. "The more councils that come on board the stronger the statement that is made against whaling."
The council's environment committee had initially asked council staff for more information before making a decision on the recommendation to join the project.
Concerns were raised that participation might offend Chuo. Councillors were also worried about the potential for any "shire whale" to eventually end up on the chopping block at Tsujiki fish markets in Chuo, the world's largest, if Japan resumed humpback whaling.
Do you think the council should adopt a whale?
Media Man Australia
Whales
Politics
Environmentalists and the environment
The council became the 53rd local government area to join the Humpback Icon Project at its Monday meeting, going beyond an initial staff recommendation to simply sign up to the project.
The idea is for the council to officially "adopt" an identified humpback whale that can then be named by the community and spotted on its annual migrations.
Waverley, Randwick, Woollahra, Leichhardt, Pittwater, Manly and Mosman councils all have their own whale as part of the project already.
As part of its decision on Monday the council will erect a sign at Kurnell when the whale is named. Project director Rachel Kathriner praised the council's decision and said there was strength in numbers.
"It's very important that coastal councils, particularly councils with sister cities in Japan, show their opposition to whaling," she said.
"This project raises awareness, links the community and council and personalises the issue. "The more councils that come on board the stronger the statement that is made against whaling."
The council's environment committee had initially asked council staff for more information before making a decision on the recommendation to join the project.
Concerns were raised that participation might offend Chuo. Councillors were also worried about the potential for any "shire whale" to eventually end up on the chopping block at Tsujiki fish markets in Chuo, the world's largest, if Japan resumed humpback whaling.
Do you think the council should adopt a whale?
Media Man Australia
Whales
Politics
Environmentalists and the environment
Friday, February 08, 2008
'Sorry' shown on giant screens and TV - The Australian - 8th Feb 2008
KEVIN Rudd's apology to the Stolen Generations will be broadcast on giant TV screens in Sydney and Melbourne.
Wednesday's apology, from Parliament House in Canberra, will also be aired live on ABC television and radio and SBS television.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin said special arrangements were being put in place for the thousands of people expected to descend on parliament for the apology.
“To make sure everyone can join in the spirit of the day, big screens are being erected on the lawns in front of Parliament House,” Ms Macklin said.
“Only around 800 people can be accommodated inside Parliament House, including the Great Hall and theatrette, so people wanting to be there on the day should consider watching from the lawn.”
The proceedings are scheduled to start at 9am (AEDT), when the Prime Minister will move a motion of apology on behalf of the Australian parliament.
Along Commonwealth Avenue and Kings Avenue in Canberra the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags will be raised.
The event will also be broadcast on giant screens in Sydney and Melbourne.
After the apology, indigenous performers including country music singer Troy Cassar-Daly will entertain the crowds.
Events acknowledging and celebrating the national apology were being planned by state and territory governments around the country, Ms Macklin said.
AAP, AFP
Media Man Australia Profiles
Aboriginal and Indigenous Media Directory
Politics
Wednesday's apology, from Parliament House in Canberra, will also be aired live on ABC television and radio and SBS television.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin said special arrangements were being put in place for the thousands of people expected to descend on parliament for the apology.
“To make sure everyone can join in the spirit of the day, big screens are being erected on the lawns in front of Parliament House,” Ms Macklin said.
“Only around 800 people can be accommodated inside Parliament House, including the Great Hall and theatrette, so people wanting to be there on the day should consider watching from the lawn.”
The proceedings are scheduled to start at 9am (AEDT), when the Prime Minister will move a motion of apology on behalf of the Australian parliament.
Along Commonwealth Avenue and Kings Avenue in Canberra the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags will be raised.
The event will also be broadcast on giant screens in Sydney and Melbourne.
After the apology, indigenous performers including country music singer Troy Cassar-Daly will entertain the crowds.
Events acknowledging and celebrating the national apology were being planned by state and territory governments around the country, Ms Macklin said.
AAP, AFP
Media Man Australia Profiles
Aboriginal and Indigenous Media Directory
Politics
Turnbull paid price for saying sorry, by Phillip Coorey Chief Political Correspondent - The Sydney Morning Herald - 8th Feb 2008
MALCOLM TURNBULL'S call last year for the Coalition to support an apology to the stolen generations cost him the leadership of the Liberal Party, the powerbroker Nick Minchin said yesterday.
Senator Minchin, who was instrumental in Brendan Nelson's narrow victory in the leadership ballot, said Dr Nelson had done the right thing by consulting the party room before taking a stance.
"The issue with the leadership was not so much the apology per se, but the question of the role and the authority of the party room," Senator Minchin said. "Many did feel we wanted a leader who would respect the authority of the party room and not announce changes in policy without proper consultation with the party room."
The day before the ballot, Mr Turnbull said when asked on radio that he supported Labor's plan to say sorry.
His supporters said he was expressing a personal view, but it was used against him and vital numbers drifted to Dr Nelson.
Senator Minchin, a former cabinet minister, said he was not criticising the former prime minster, John Howard, whose views were frequently foisted on the party. "But there was a feeling after 12 years of government, where often out of necessity the government made decisions without being able to or fully consulting the party room, many in the party room felt they were being handed a fait accompli."
He said Dr Nelson's performance in the party room when discussing the issue was "one of the best" he had witnessed.
The comments sparked fresh bickering, with the Liberal frontbencher Christopher Pyne saying: "It's a pity Senator Minchin wants to continue a leadership ballot which was finalised last year. As Senate leader, he needs to play a role in unifying the party."
Dr Nelson's initial cumbersome handling of the apology worsened divisions in the party.
Mr Turnbull's supporters noted yesterday that the party had spent a damaging two weeks arriving at the very position Mr Turnbull had advocated from the outset.
"The debate was over, it happened around Nelson, there was no leadership at all," said one. Dr Nelson and his supporters were "trying to make a virtue of his own indecision".
Labor was still dithering yesterday, unable to say when the exact wording of the apology would be released or if every MP and senator who wished to speak to the motion would be allowed to do so.
The Coalition's support for the apology is "in principle" and subject to the final text. Dr Nelson dislikes the term "stolen generation" but Kevin Rudd said this was non-negotiable.
The Coalition will not force the issue, but Dr Nelson and others plan to complain about the phrase when they speak on the motion.
At another party-room meeting yesterday, the Coalition was split over a push to prevent Labor from fulfilling its mandate of abolishing individual Australian Workplace Agreements.
Dr Nelson and his deputy, Julie Bishop, argued yesterday that the Coalition, which will control the Senate until July 1, should force Labor to retain AWAs but underpin them with a new and improved safety net.
The hairsplitting has made some in the party nervous and several MPs argued against the move in the party room. Labor's bill abolishing AWAs will be introduced next week.
■ The Governor-General has thrown his weight behind a formal apology by Parliament to indigenous Australians for the stolen generations.
Speaking after the launch of the 2008 Year Book of Australia in Canberra yesterday, Major-General Michael Jeffery told the Herald, "It's a very good thing for us to do.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Malcolm Turnbull
Politics
Senator Minchin, who was instrumental in Brendan Nelson's narrow victory in the leadership ballot, said Dr Nelson had done the right thing by consulting the party room before taking a stance.
"The issue with the leadership was not so much the apology per se, but the question of the role and the authority of the party room," Senator Minchin said. "Many did feel we wanted a leader who would respect the authority of the party room and not announce changes in policy without proper consultation with the party room."
The day before the ballot, Mr Turnbull said when asked on radio that he supported Labor's plan to say sorry.
His supporters said he was expressing a personal view, but it was used against him and vital numbers drifted to Dr Nelson.
Senator Minchin, a former cabinet minister, said he was not criticising the former prime minster, John Howard, whose views were frequently foisted on the party. "But there was a feeling after 12 years of government, where often out of necessity the government made decisions without being able to or fully consulting the party room, many in the party room felt they were being handed a fait accompli."
He said Dr Nelson's performance in the party room when discussing the issue was "one of the best" he had witnessed.
The comments sparked fresh bickering, with the Liberal frontbencher Christopher Pyne saying: "It's a pity Senator Minchin wants to continue a leadership ballot which was finalised last year. As Senate leader, he needs to play a role in unifying the party."
Dr Nelson's initial cumbersome handling of the apology worsened divisions in the party.
Mr Turnbull's supporters noted yesterday that the party had spent a damaging two weeks arriving at the very position Mr Turnbull had advocated from the outset.
"The debate was over, it happened around Nelson, there was no leadership at all," said one. Dr Nelson and his supporters were "trying to make a virtue of his own indecision".
Labor was still dithering yesterday, unable to say when the exact wording of the apology would be released or if every MP and senator who wished to speak to the motion would be allowed to do so.
The Coalition's support for the apology is "in principle" and subject to the final text. Dr Nelson dislikes the term "stolen generation" but Kevin Rudd said this was non-negotiable.
The Coalition will not force the issue, but Dr Nelson and others plan to complain about the phrase when they speak on the motion.
At another party-room meeting yesterday, the Coalition was split over a push to prevent Labor from fulfilling its mandate of abolishing individual Australian Workplace Agreements.
Dr Nelson and his deputy, Julie Bishop, argued yesterday that the Coalition, which will control the Senate until July 1, should force Labor to retain AWAs but underpin them with a new and improved safety net.
The hairsplitting has made some in the party nervous and several MPs argued against the move in the party room. Labor's bill abolishing AWAs will be introduced next week.
■ The Governor-General has thrown his weight behind a formal apology by Parliament to indigenous Australians for the stolen generations.
Speaking after the launch of the 2008 Year Book of Australia in Canberra yesterday, Major-General Michael Jeffery told the Herald, "It's a very good thing for us to do.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Malcolm Turnbull
Politics
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