Introduction
In a significant move towards restitution, the Western Australian government has announced a redress scheme that will compensate members of the Stolen Generations with a sum of $85,000 each. This initiative, which is expected to take effect by the end of the month, marks a crucial step in acknowledging the historical injustices faced by Aboriginal peoples in Australia.
Background on Stolen Generations
The term "Stolen Generations" refers to the thousands of Aboriginal children who were forcibly removed from their families and communities by government policies until as late as 1972. This bereavement not only separated families but also led to profound and lasting disadvantage and trauma across generations. The redress scheme has been a long-awaited outcome since the recommendations made in the 1997 Bringing Them Home report, which called for reparations and support for the victims.
Details of the Redress Scheme
- The redress payment of $85,000, although less than the $100,000 awarded in Victoria, is higher than the $75,000 provided in New South Wales and the $30,000 in South Australia.
- The scheme is particularly focused on fast-tracking payments to elderly members of the Stolen Generations, underlying the urgency given the advanced age of many survivors.
- Premier Roger Cook announced the scheme at a Reconciliation breakfast, receiving a warm response from attendees.
Government Acknowledgments and Promises
During the announcement, Premier Cook poignantly reflected on the historical policies that led to these injustices. He stated, "Decade after shameful decade in Western Australia, children were taken from mothers and sent to missions." He acknowledged the long-lasting impacts of these actions, asking critical questions about why such policies were enacted against Indigenous peoples.
The Premier emphasized that no financial restitution could fully compensate for the suffering experienced. "No amount of money could ever make up for the experience of stolen generations members and their families," he expressed, highlighting the emotional and cultural ramifications that continue to affect Aboriginal communities.
Calls for Action
Advocates for the Stolen Generations have long called for a reparations scheme. Steve Larkin, chairman of the Healing Foundation, noted that many survivors have already passed away without receiving justice, as the urgency to address these historical wrongs is compounded by the advancing age of the survivors. The support organizations that assist these individuals are often underfunded, leading to decreased resources for those in need of counseling and assistance.
Expectations Moving Forward
The government aims to enhance support for Aboriginal organizations as part of this initiative, specifically pledging funds for counseling services and the promotion of truth-telling surrounding the Stolen Generations' experiences.
Jim Morrison, a Stolen Generations survivor and executive director of Bring Them Home, welcomed the redress scheme, emphasizing its importance for reconciliation and healing. He noted, "We can’t have this reconciliation unless we have truth, justice, and healing." The derogatory term for the Premier suggests a shifting narrative as recognition and support evolve.
Attorney-General Tony Buti defended the payment structure, describing it as a symbolic gesture that, alongside commitments for counseling and truth-telling, positions WA’s reparations framework as among the most generous in Australia.
Looking Ahead
The registration for the redress scheme is set to open later this year, with payments slated for disbursement before the year ends, which will hopefully facilitate a path towards healing for many.
Bias Analysis
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