Rudd reiterates Aborigine apology

Canberra: Australia's prime minister reiterated yesterday his call for an official apology to indigenous people for past injustices, highlighting the need for reconciliation as the country observed a holiday weekend honouring the arrival of the first British settlers.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd promised after his November election victory to push parliament for a formal apology to the Aborigines. But he is standing firm against demands from some indigenous leaders for compensation for mistreatment.

"The key thing is to build a bridge with indigenous Australia through an apology, through saying sorry, because that bridge is a pathway to respect," Rudd told reporters.

Rudd has said the new government's policies on health and education would attempt to lift living standards for Aborigines, an impoverished minority of 450,000 among Australia's 21 million people.

"We can do that in the absence of any compensation arrangement," Rudd said.

Aborigines are the poorest ethnic group in Australia and die on average 17 years younger than other Australians. They have a far higher infant mortality rate are most likely to be jailed, unemployed and illiterate.

While Aboriginal leaders have welcomed Rudd's commitment to a formal apology by parliament, some have threatened to sue unless the government compensates Aborigines who suffered after being taken from their families.