John Howard as Prime Minister

He also almost immediately reduced funding for indigenous bodies during his first term (1996-1998).

During his second term (1998-2001), he had received the “Bringing Them Home” report, but was resolute in his refusal to issue a national apology to the Indigenous Australians, although all state and territory governments issued their own, maintaining that "Australians of this generation should not be required to accept guilt and blame for past actions and policies."