The Australian government has issued its first formal apology for its mistreatment of Aborigines. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered the apology before the Australian parliament earlier today. It had been the first item of business for Rudd’s new government. Former Prime Minister John Howard had long refused a public apology despite a study during his term showing as many as one in three aboriginal children were taken from their families between 1910 and 1970. Huge crowds gathered across Australia to watch the historic address. Around one hundred Aborigines attended the parliament session to hear the apology. Many were shown wiping away tears.