Survivors of the Stolen Generations in Western Australia can now apply for compensation as the WA Stolen Generations redress scheme opens to right historical wrongs. The scheme offers $85,000 to eligible applicants who were forcibly removed from their families as children under past government policies. While some welcome the initiative as a step towards reconciliation, concerns remain about the adequacy of the compensation and the scheme’s cut-off date.
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Key Developments
The WA Stolen Generations redress scheme opens to right the injustices suffered by Aboriginal people who were taken from their families before July 1, 1972. Premier Roger Cook has described the scheme as part of the government’s commitment to truth-telling and acknowledging the past harm caused by these policies. The scheme aims to provide a measure of compensation and personal acknowledgement to survivors who experienced significant trauma as a result of their forced removal.
Applications for the redress scheme officially opened today, allowing eligible survivors to seek compensation for the suffering they endured. The government estimates that between 3,000 and 3,500 Aboriginal people who were part of the Stolen Generations are still alive in Western Australia and potentially eligible for the scheme. The WA Stolen Generations redress scheme opens to right a wrong that has spanned generations, and the hope is that it provides some measure of closure for those affected.
Remembering the Trauma of Forced Removal
Tony Hansen, a survivor of the Stolen Generations, vividly remembers being taken from his family at the age of three in 1970. He recalls the distress of being placed in a car with strangers and the sight of his grandparents and mother crying in the distance. He was taken to Marribank mission, formerly known as Carrolup Native Mission, which was established under the authority of the Chief Protector of Aborigines, AO Neville, who had legal guardianship over Aboriginal children under a 1905 law. The WA Stolen Generations redress scheme opens to right these specific kinds of traumas.
Laurel Sellers, the CEO of Yorgum Healing Services, who also experienced life at Marribank, emphasizes the profound impact of removing children from their families. She urges people to consider the long-term consequences for those who were taken and their descendants. Sellers also points out that the 1997 Bringing Them Home report, which made 54 recommendations including reparations, has seen limited implementation. The WA Stolen Generations redress scheme opens to right the failure to implement the report’s recommendations.
Government Acknowledgment and Apology
Premier Roger Cook has acknowledged the “ignorant” and “insidious” nature of past policies that led to the forced removal of Aboriginal children. He stated that the WA Stolen Generations redress scheme opens to right the wrongs of successive Western Australian governments that implemented these policies. The government has issued an apology for the ongoing, intergenerational trauma and harm experienced by the Stolen Generations and their families.
The WA Stolen Generations redress scheme opens to right a past that involved the deliberate separation of Aboriginal people from their culture and families. Cook emphasized the government’s responsibility to acknowledge the actions of past administrations and to provide support for those who have suffered as a result. This redress scheme is a tangible step towards acknowledging the pain caused by these policies.
Concerns Regarding the Scheme’s Scope
While the WA Stolen Generations redress scheme opens to right historical injustices, concerns have been raised about its scope. Some Aboriginal people have advocated for the cut-off date to be extended beyond July 1, 1972, arguing that many individuals were removed from their families after that date and should also be eligible for compensation. The government, however, has not expanded the program to include those removed after this date.
Mark Bin Bakar, chair of Kimberley Stolen Generations, expressed gratitude to the premier and government for recognizing the harm that was done, but suggested that the compensation payment could have been more substantial. Despite these concerns, he acknowledged the government’s efforts to ensure the scheme is fair for everyone. The WA Stolen Generations redress scheme opens to right some of these concerns, but the debate about its limitations continues.
The WA Stolen Generations redress scheme opens to right a history of injustice and trauma. While questions remain about the adequacy of the compensation and the scheme’s scope, it represents a significant step towards acknowledging the suffering of the Stolen Generations and promoting reconciliation. The hope is that this initiative will contribute to healing and support for survivors and their families.
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