Meg+C+(2)

Maralinga Hello ladies and gentlemen. I would like to bring up a very distressing topic. In 1953, on the 15th October, a group of scientists started off a string of atomic explosions. These were tested on Aboriginal land, something the ‘white fellows’ didn’t respect in those times. Many Aboriginals died throughout those terrible years, due to illnesses caused by the explosions, and generally the weakest people were the first to die.

I am talking about this today with you to spread awareness about those events, as well as apologising on behalf of the Government, past and present, to all Aboriginals affected in the explosions and testing. It wasn’t fair, and because of our own stupidity and disrespect, white people let it happen. I would like to remind everybody to keep in mind what wouldn’t have happened if the Australian Government had just said no to the UK. Heartache, deaths and diseases wouldn’t have come about, and many Aboriginals would have lived a much happier life. Now, because of us, the Aboriginals carry the burden of what happened to their ancestors all those years ago.

To end my speech, I would simply like to say sorry. Thank you for listening.