WA Premier Roger Cook announces redress scheme for state's Stolen Generations
Survivors of the Stolen Generations in Western Australia will be compensated through a state government redress scheme, bringing the state in line with nearly every other Australian state and territory.
It comes a day after National Sorry Day, which marks the anniversary of the landmark Bringing Them Home report tabled in federal parliament in 1997.
The report detailed the experiences and impacts of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children across Australia.
Most states have created their own schemes to support survivors and their families, and the federal government established a scheme for the territories.
Western Australia and Queensland had been the only jurisdictions without a compensation scheme for survivors.
Now the WA government has announced it will establish a redress scheme providing individual payments of $85,000 for living members of the Stolen Generations.
Premier Roger Cook said it was a "major step" towards reconciliation.
"The WA government has long acknowledged the historical injustices and their ongoing impact on the Stolen Generations, their families, and communities," he said.
"The WA Stolen Generations Redress Scheme is a major step in the pursuit of reconciliation and healing."
The scheme is expected to open for registration later this year, and payments will begin towards the end of the year.
It follows years of advocacy from survivors and their families, including Noongar traditional custodian Jim Morrison.
"The impact of removal has been devastating on Aboriginal people — the intergenerational impact is ongoing," he said.
Mr Morrison said recognition of the Stolen Generations would go a long way to addressing issues disproportionately affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
"The reality is, if there was some sort of recognition before now, I believe that the current removal rate of our children wouldn't be as bad, I believe the current incarceration rate wouldn't be as bad," he said.
"Our world would be different if there was acknowledgement and understanding of this history.
"You can't have reconciliation if you don't have truth, justice, and healing."
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News.com.au
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- News.com.au
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News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Weekly basis': Lawyer reveals why young people are still carrying knives, despite harsher laws
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