PM does an about-face on reconciliation

Prime Minister John Howard has delivered an extraordinary election eve mea culpa to indigenous Australians, promising a referendum to recognise them formally in the constitution.

After years of refusing to apologise to Aboriginal Australians over their past treatment, Mr Howard admitted he had failed to recognise the importance of symbolism in healing the rift.

And while he still ruled out an apology, Mr Howard promised to change the constitutional preamble and hold a referendum on wider constitutional changes.

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Gus: we shan't give him this opportunity... and if we believe him on this issue we still believe in Santa Claus... Remember what Janette inferred: John isn't into commitments, just promises....

Boot Johnnee out and leave the pleasure of doing the right thing to Rudd.

Johnnee gotta go-go-go...

PM Should Say Sorry: Indigenous Leaders