Latest news with #NationalSorryDay
Epoch Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Epoch Times
WA to Pay $85,000 to Indigenous Survivors of the Stolen Generations
Western Australia (WA) has unveiled a long-awaited scheme to financially compensate members of the Stolen Generations, offering up to $85,000 per person. The scheme will deliver individual taxpayer-funded payments to Aboriginals removed from their families by the state prior to July 1, 1972. State Premier Roger Cook said the gesture was a necessary step. 'No amount of money could ever make up for the experience of Stolen Generations members and their families, and the ongoing effects on people's lives,' he said. Applications for the scheme will open later in 2025, with initial payments expected to be processed by year's end. The announcement aligns WA with almost all other states and territories, with Queensland now the only jurisdiction without such a program. Announcement Follows 'Sorry Day' Observance The decision comes a day after National Sorry Day, which commemorates the release of the 1997 Bringing Them Home report. That report chronicled the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children forcibly taken from their communities over several decades. Related Stories 5/11/2025 4/24/2025 WA has historically seen the highest number of children removed under these policies. Compensation for survivors was among more than 50 key recommendations made in the report. Cook called the announcement 'a major step in the pursuit of reconciliation and healing.' In February, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed federal support would continue. 'The process of healing that began with the Apology goes on, a process we are assisting by extending the Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme to June 30, 2028,' Albanese said during his address marking the 17th anniversary of the national apology. Support from Aboriginal Group The Healing Foundation, a national organisation supporting Stolen Generations survivors, praised the WA government's move. CEO Shannan Dodson said the decision followed years of advocacy. 'I pay tribute and honour all the Stolen Generations organisations that have advocated and stood alongside survivors throughout this long journey,' she said. She noted that while financial compensation cannot erase the trauma, it does offer acknowledgment and some form of restitution. Concerns Scheme Lacks Nuance Chair of the Close the Gap Research group, Gary Johns, said the premier was correct in saying the state could not change history. 'The scheme does not distinguish Indigenous children taken from families, to those given up, or those taken responsibly for their protection, and those who allegedly were stolen,' he told The Epoch Times. 'By lumping every applicant together the moral underpinning of the scheme has been degraded,' he added, saying it erred more towards virtue signalling. 'Taxpayers should condemn the scheme.'
West Australian
5 days ago
- General
- West Australian
Stolen Generation symposium hears truth telling is key to community moving forward as Aboriginal allies
A panel of Aboriginal elders gave emotional accounts of their experiences as members of the Stolen Generation at a National Sorry Day symposium at Albany Entertainment Centre on Monday. The event was staged by the Southern Aboriginal Corporation and the Great Southern Aboriginal Health Service and attracted a wide audience of community members, Aboriginal elders and stakeholders. SAC chief executive Asha Bhat said the aim of the event was to acknowledge the courage of the Stolen Generations, their pain and their resilience. 'This event is a safe space, it's about truth telling and healing and the elders sharing their lived experiences. 'For the wider community, it's about listening, learning and standing in solidarity with Aboriginal people. 'Reconciliation starts with truth telling, so we must acknowledge and come together without forgetting about the history. 'The overwhelming presence of those at the event shows reconciliation is not too far away and that we can all walk alongside the Aboriginal people as allies.' Panellists Gary Ryder, and brothers Timothy and Ezzard Flowers had been taken to the Carrolup Settlement, later known as Marribank, near Katanning, as children. They explained that conditions there were harsh but it was the separation from their families at such a young age that meant eventual reunifications were made even more difficult. Ezzard had been taken there when he was just two years old, after his father died. 'It was difficult to reconnect with home, with country, with family and with those who were no longer there,' he said. 'They were terrifying times.' His brother Timothy said it was time to move forward. 'Sharing stories is part of the healing process,' he said. 'We came through that challenge on our own, as children. 'But now we can move forward together because walking together is better than walking alone.'
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Stolen generations survivors to receive redress
Following years of campaigning, stolen generations survivors in one state will be eligible for redress for the harm caused by forced removals from family and community. Survivors who were removed from their families in Western Australia before 1972 will be eligible for individual payments of up to $85,000 under the scheme, announced by the state government on Tuesday. The announcement follows National Sorry Day on Monday, which marks the anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing Them Home report to parliament in 1997. Redress for survivors was one of more than 50 recommendations in this landmark report. Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities under accepted government policies during a period spanning from the 1910s until the 1970s. "The WA Stolen Generations Redress Scheme is a major step in the pursuit of reconciliation and healing," Premier Roger Cook said. The government said it would also work with Aboriginal organisations to support communications, scheme roll-out and planning for additional measures to assist the healing for survivors. Attorney-General Tony Buti said the announcement of redress is a recognition of the wrongs of the past. "It marks a significant step in recognising members of Western Australia's stolen generations by providing reparations for surviving members," he said. "We hope this support can contribute to healing for those impacted." With the announcement of WA's redress scheme, Queensland remains the only jurisdiction that does not offer reparations to survivors. WA's scheme is expected to open for registration in late 2025. Following years of campaigning, stolen generations survivors in one state will be eligible for redress for the harm caused by forced removals from family and community. Survivors who were removed from their families in Western Australia before 1972 will be eligible for individual payments of up to $85,000 under the scheme, announced by the state government on Tuesday. The announcement follows National Sorry Day on Monday, which marks the anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing Them Home report to parliament in 1997. Redress for survivors was one of more than 50 recommendations in this landmark report. Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities under accepted government policies during a period spanning from the 1910s until the 1970s. "The WA Stolen Generations Redress Scheme is a major step in the pursuit of reconciliation and healing," Premier Roger Cook said. The government said it would also work with Aboriginal organisations to support communications, scheme roll-out and planning for additional measures to assist the healing for survivors. Attorney-General Tony Buti said the announcement of redress is a recognition of the wrongs of the past. "It marks a significant step in recognising members of Western Australia's stolen generations by providing reparations for surviving members," he said. "We hope this support can contribute to healing for those impacted." With the announcement of WA's redress scheme, Queensland remains the only jurisdiction that does not offer reparations to survivors. WA's scheme is expected to open for registration in late 2025. Following years of campaigning, stolen generations survivors in one state will be eligible for redress for the harm caused by forced removals from family and community. Survivors who were removed from their families in Western Australia before 1972 will be eligible for individual payments of up to $85,000 under the scheme, announced by the state government on Tuesday. The announcement follows National Sorry Day on Monday, which marks the anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing Them Home report to parliament in 1997. Redress for survivors was one of more than 50 recommendations in this landmark report. Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities under accepted government policies during a period spanning from the 1910s until the 1970s. "The WA Stolen Generations Redress Scheme is a major step in the pursuit of reconciliation and healing," Premier Roger Cook said. The government said it would also work with Aboriginal organisations to support communications, scheme roll-out and planning for additional measures to assist the healing for survivors. Attorney-General Tony Buti said the announcement of redress is a recognition of the wrongs of the past. "It marks a significant step in recognising members of Western Australia's stolen generations by providing reparations for surviving members," he said. "We hope this support can contribute to healing for those impacted." With the announcement of WA's redress scheme, Queensland remains the only jurisdiction that does not offer reparations to survivors. WA's scheme is expected to open for registration in late 2025. Following years of campaigning, stolen generations survivors in one state will be eligible for redress for the harm caused by forced removals from family and community. Survivors who were removed from their families in Western Australia before 1972 will be eligible for individual payments of up to $85,000 under the scheme, announced by the state government on Tuesday. The announcement follows National Sorry Day on Monday, which marks the anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing Them Home report to parliament in 1997. Redress for survivors was one of more than 50 recommendations in this landmark report. Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities under accepted government policies during a period spanning from the 1910s until the 1970s. "The WA Stolen Generations Redress Scheme is a major step in the pursuit of reconciliation and healing," Premier Roger Cook said. The government said it would also work with Aboriginal organisations to support communications, scheme roll-out and planning for additional measures to assist the healing for survivors. Attorney-General Tony Buti said the announcement of redress is a recognition of the wrongs of the past. "It marks a significant step in recognising members of Western Australia's stolen generations by providing reparations for surviving members," he said. "We hope this support can contribute to healing for those impacted." With the announcement of WA's redress scheme, Queensland remains the only jurisdiction that does not offer reparations to survivors. WA's scheme is expected to open for registration in late 2025.
West Australian
5 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Stolen generations survivors to receive redress
Following years of campaigning, stolen generations survivors in one state will be eligible for redress for the harm caused by forced removals from family and community. Survivors who were removed from their families in Western Australia before 1972 will be eligible for individual payments of up to $85,000 under the scheme, announced by the state government on Tuesday. The announcement follows National Sorry Day on Monday, which marks the anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing Them Home report to parliament in 1997. Redress for survivors was one of more than 50 recommendations in this landmark report. Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities under accepted government policies during a period spanning from the 1910s until the 1970s. "The WA Stolen Generations Redress Scheme is a major step in the pursuit of reconciliation and healing," Premier Roger Cook said. The government said it would also work with Aboriginal organisations to support communications, scheme roll-out and planning for additional measures to assist the healing for survivors. Attorney-General Tony Buti said the announcement of redress is a recognition of the wrongs of the past. "It marks a significant step in recognising members of Western Australia's stolen generations by providing reparations for surviving members," he said. "We hope this support can contribute to healing for those impacted." With the announcement of WA's redress scheme, Queensland remains the only jurisdiction that does not offer reparations to survivors. WA's scheme is expected to open for registration in late 2025.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Stolen generations survivors to receive redress
Following years of campaigning, stolen generations survivors in one state will be eligible for redress for the harm caused by forced removals from family and community. Survivors who were removed from their families in Western Australia before 1972 will be eligible for individual payments of up to $85,000 under the scheme, announced by the state government on Tuesday. The announcement follows National Sorry Day on Monday, which marks the anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing Them Home report to parliament in 1997. Redress for survivors was one of more than 50 recommendations in this landmark report. Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities under accepted government policies during a period spanning from the 1910s until the 1970s. "The WA Stolen Generations Redress Scheme is a major step in the pursuit of reconciliation and healing," Premier Roger Cook said. The government said it would also work with Aboriginal organisations to support communications, scheme roll-out and planning for additional measures to assist the healing for survivors. Attorney-General Tony Buti said the announcement of redress is a recognition of the wrongs of the past. "It marks a significant step in recognising members of Western Australia's stolen generations by providing reparations for surviving members," he said. "We hope this support can contribute to healing for those impacted." With the announcement of WA's redress scheme, Queensland remains the only jurisdiction that does not offer reparations to survivors. WA's scheme is expected to open for registration in late 2025.
