The government of Australia will issue a formal apology for its treatment of Aborigines on February 13.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of the Labor Party promised the apology on the campaign trail.
Prior officials have outright refused to apologize, saying they shouldn't be held responsible for the forced removal of an estimated 100,000 children from Aboriginal homes.
Rudd and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin said the apology will not lead to financial compensation.
Macklin said she hopes it will lead to improved relations with the 450,000 Aborigines in the country.
As Parliament convenes today, Aboriginal leaders are giving an official welcome for the first time in history.
Get the Story:Aboriginal leaders welcome apology (AP 1/31)
