The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs insistence that there was no stolen generation because "only 10%" of Aboriginal children were removed from their families is a semantic quibble with explosive potential, Greens Senator Bob Brown said today

"I can not believe that John Herron, who is a sounding board for the Prime Minister, could be so provocative to Indigenous Australia in the Sydney Olympics year," Senator Brown said.

"The Prime Minister seems hell bent on provoking retribution which will be a disaster for Australia.

"This nation wants to celebrate the Olympics, Mr Herron's comments are a disaster on the eve of that celebration.

"Mr Herron, if he wants to be a semantic nerd, should apply the term 'decimated generation'," Senator Brown said.