The Australian Parliament said sorry to Aborigines this week over past mistreatment.

The apology was announced in one of two men's legislatures convened under the Australian Constitution.

The Constitution makes no provision for a women's legislature.

Women said sorry under male supervision.

Saying sorry carries an obligation to rectify the cause of mistreatment.

The policies the Parliament said sorry for were issued under this anachronistic Constitution.

The previous government, which refused to say sorry following a recommendation of the 1997 Bringing Them Home report, is the same government that rolled back women's rights throughout its tenure.

Saying sorry will be of substance when accompanied by constitutional reform providing for women's and men's legislatures presided over by an executive of elders accompanied by courts of women's and men's jurisdiction.

15 February, 2008