Qld: Beattie slams Howard on stolen generation

AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2000
Qld: Beattie slams Howard on stolen generation

BRISBANE, April 3 AAP - Queensland Premier Peter Beattie today labelled federal government
claims about the stolen generation as "divisive, tripe, unnecessary and hurtful".

The premier joined criticism over the federal government's handling of indigenous affairs
after it was revealed a government submission to a Senate inquiry questioned the accuracy
of the term "stolen generation" and claimed only 10 per cent of Aboriginal children were
forcibly taken from their families.

"Ten per cent is ten per cent too many ... for heaven's sake you're talking about children
and I remind the prime minister of that, you're talking about children," Mr Beattie told
reporters today.

Mr Beattie said such comments could only have been made for base political reasons.

"How could you possibly trivialise a large number of children who were taken from their
parents ... there would be nothing more traumatic than having your children taken from
you," he said.

The Queensland premier said the debate was "despicable" but he said he would not support
Aboriginal demonstrations at this year's Olympic Games, claiming it would be detrimental
to the reconciliation process.

AAP/dn/was/bdm

KEYWORD: STOLEN BEATTIE

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.