There have been distinct patterns of debate since the launch of Bringing Them Home, such as whether individuals and our national leader should apologise; whether there should be a national Sorry Day; the understanding of words such as «guilt» and «
shame»; the Inquiry's finding of
genocide; the issue of compensation and reparation; the intersections with debates
about native title and reconciliation; and the reassessment of Australian history and identity for which the Inquiry was viewed as a catalyst.