I dont think his speech went over too well,considering 50% of people outside turned there backs on him halfway through his speech!
Disgraceful. A lot of people went to great lengths to close the partisan divide today, just goes to show that its all still an excercise in wedge politics for some people.
Think i'll agree to disagree with your views on the respective speeches. The government's apology was strangled by the countless hours of legal review it clearly had undergone. There wasnt a whole lot they could do in that regard in my opinion - the name of the game is clearly to pre emptively stamp out claims for compensation.
Nelson's response on the other hand, did not carry the same level of accountability - as it was merely a response to the government's apology.
In that regard, Nelson highlighted several points which i believe were important. Primarily that some instances of "stealing" were done in the name of safety and concern for the welfare of the child in question, albeit under the enabling impact of the same policy which gave rise to the "stealing" Mr Rudd was apologising on behalf of parliament for implementing.
Im cynical regarding the actual impact of the apology (but then, im cynical of leftist symbolic reconciliation in general) - time will tell, its something i'd gladly eat my words on.
Just my opinion