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Friday, 09 January 2009

Rolf Harris says 'Sorry' for offensive Aboriginal comments

4/12/2008 10:00:00 AM.  | Jesse Perez

After the garrulous Rolf Harris slipped out several disparaging comments against Aboriginal people last week, he has since apologized for any offence he may have caused.

In an interview on an Australian radio station, Rolf Harris made remarks that he regretted using references to Aboriginal people in his hit song Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport.

He went on to say: "You sit at home watching the television and you think to yourself, 'Get up off your arse and clean up the streets your bloody self, and why would you expect somebody to come in and clean up your garbage, which you've dumped everywhere', but then you have to think to yourself that it's a different attitude to life."

The comments caused outrage among Indigenous people, with Dennis Eggington, from the Aboriginal Legal Service, saying the comments were insensitive and disparaging.

"Rolf Harris should stick to doing portraits of his beloved Queen, rather than painting indigenous Australia with his broad and bigoted brushstrokes,'' he said.

After the media kafuffle, a jetlagged and rather ill Harris came forward to make amends.

"I would just like to apologise for any offence that I've caused." He said.

"It's all a matter of feeling really rough and having somebody jump onto me for a quote about something or other.”

"I quite honestly should have kept my mouth shut, and gritted my teeth and not said anything. I would just like to apologise for causing offence to anybody."

COMMENTS

Thursday, 04 December 2008

I was not offended by your comments, Rolf. Sadly we are no longer the country that called a spade a spade. We have become pathetic, hand-wringing, culturally-sensitive dopes!

Posted by: Opinionated JWH Party, Australia

 

Thursday, 04 December 2008

Cant offend potential audiences. funny how he was "jetlagged and rather ill", not stupid and rather knee-jerky. Ahhhh, stupid whiteys. You'd laugh it wasnt so serious-oh hold on, you whiteys do laugh!

Posted by: Abo goneloose, cuz

Thursday, 04 December 2008

Abo gone loose, Hey cuz dont take a soft apology so hard, get over it . Areas close to where Indigenous people live are prone to looking like rubbish dumps, i see it every day.Tell Dennis Eggington to listen to the lyrics of Kevin Bloody Wilsons "Livin next door to Alan". Makes Rolfs comments and lyrics appear tame.

Posted by: S lick, WA

 

Thursday, 04 December 2008

I have aboriginal ancestry. I don't think he said anything offensive.

Posted by: Happy Fun Ball, Carramar/Sydney

Sunday, 14 December 2008

Oddball , You claim to have aboriginal ancestory .In your challange to Julia Gillard i detect a Welsh or a UK west country accent in your ramblings which seems Odd .Can you offer you some explanation?

Posted by: S LICK, WA

 

Thursday, 04 December 2008

You didn't have to apologise Rolf! Kruddy did it already. Fat lot of good either of your apologies mean to the indiginous "population" anyway. I'm sure that all 6 of them that took offence have now logged off LiveNews and gone to the pub.

Posted by: Happy Little Gumnut, Sydney

 

Thursday, 04 December 2008

Don't apologise for saying the truth Rolf, no matter how unpalatable or non politically correct that may be. unfortunately truth is truth. Are we going to stop bagging the dopey NSW Govt. in case we offend one of them. NO

Posted by: Denlo ., Wollongong

 

Thursday, 04 December 2008

No wonder they are so down trodden; they need to toughen up. You can't go to the media every time someone says something you don;t like. There will always be someone who will be offended by something or someone. The truth hurts; and Rolf only told the truth. Bloody Whingers.

Posted by: Fair Minded Aussie, Australia

 

Thursday, 04 December 2008

Rolf, that's what I've always liked about you, no crap and straight from the heart. You have only spoken the truth here. You have nothing to apoligise for, and I like the fact that you haven't actually retracted your views in the apology. Mate you have more supporters than detractors with this one.

Posted by: Rolf For PM, Sutherland

 

Friday, 05 December 2008

Good on you Rolf ! Don't worry about these boxheads that whinge. It's only because you stated the truth and the truth hurts !

Posted by: Frank Rizzo, Sydney

 
 

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