❓ Ms D'Anna asks about the implementation of the WA Stolen Generations Redress Scheme. The Minister outlines the scheme's financial and non-financial components, emphasizing a trauma-informed and culturally safe approach, and acknowledges past injustices.
AnsweredQoN 150Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Stolen Generations Redress Scheme
150. Ms Divina D'Anna to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
I
refer to the Cook Labor government's historic announcement today of a redress
scheme for living members of the stolen generations in WA.
(1) Can the minister advise the
house how the WA Stolen Generations Redress Scheme will be implemented in a
timely and efficient manner to ensure justice and dignity for survivors?
(2) C an the minister advise the house
how other measures will be implemented to support the scheme?
150. Ms Divina D'Anna to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
I
refer to the Cook Labor government's historic announcement today of a redress
scheme for living members of the stolen generations in WA.
(1) Can the minister advise the
house how the WA Stolen Generations Redress Scheme will be implemented in a
timely and efficient manner to ensure justice and dignity for survivors?
(2) C an the minister advise the house
how other measures will be implemented to support the scheme?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank the
member for her question and for her incredible advocacy to seek redress for
members of the stolen generation. Firstly, I want to acknowledge the many
stolen generation members who are no longer with us. They live on, though, in
spirit, in the hearts and minds of those who love them as descendants, friends
and extended family. Their lifelong struggle for recognition has not been in
vain. Justice and dignity for stolen generation survivors are at the heart of
the redress scheme and I would like to pay my respects to those elders who have
sought acknowledgement of the hurt and trauma caused by the rejection of their
identity and the impairment of their rights through the past actions of the
state. It is through the work of those people and community-based organisations
such as Yokai, Bringing Them Home WA, the Kimberley Stolen Generation
Aboriginal Corporation, together with many community advocates, that this
scheme has come to fruition. This scheme will provide a payment of $85,000 to
each surviving member of the stolen generation.
Members, no
amount of financial redress can ever compensate for the deep emotional scars
that were caused by government policies that continued until the repeal of the
Native Welfare Act in 1972 and allowed the removal of Indigenous children from
their families, their culture and their country. These redress payments are an
acknowledgement of past injustice. It does not correct what happened; however,
it offers a pathway forward for survivors, their families and our community as
a whole. It is why, as part of this scheme, the WA Government will partner with
stolen generation organisations to develop additional measures to support
ongoing healing and truth-telling.
Our government
is committed to a swift and efficient implementation of the redress scheme. Survivors
should be assured they will not be compelled to experience indignity in
justifying their claims to redress in a complicated manner, nor will we seek to
add to their trauma, but we will seek to support their healing journey.
Payments are expected to commence in late 2025 and more information, including
eligibility and when and how to apply, will be released in the coming weeks. I
want to echo the words of
Premier Cook in his address to Reconciliation WA's National Reconciliation Week
breakfast this morning and again say to the stolen generation survivors that we
are sorry for the separation of families and sorry for the removal of children
from culture and from country. We deeply regret this shameful period in our
state's history and acknowledge the profound impact this has had and continues
to have on Aboriginal people and their families.
Redress under
this scheme is not just financial, it will also include non-financial elements
such as community-led healing initiatives, trauma-informed counselling as well
as culturally safe healing programs. There will be help with tracing family
histories. Reconnecting with kin is a crucial step in the journey. As we meet
here in this place during National Reconciliation Week 2025, we reflect on our
shared history, not only to recognise the past, but to understand it, to learn
from it and to make a strong commitment to walk together. In this place we are
very privileged to be able to do good things. This is a good thing. Thank you.
member for her question and for her incredible advocacy to seek redress for
members of the stolen generation. Firstly, I want to acknowledge the many
stolen generation members who are no longer with us. They live on, though, in
spirit, in the hearts and minds of those who love them as descendants, friends
and extended family. Their lifelong struggle for recognition has not been in
vain. Justice and dignity for stolen generation survivors are at the heart of
the redress scheme and I would like to pay my respects to those elders who have
sought acknowledgement of the hurt and trauma caused by the rejection of their
identity and the impairment of their rights through the past actions of the
state. It is through the work of those people and community-based organisations
such as Yokai, Bringing Them Home WA, the Kimberley Stolen Generation
Aboriginal Corporation, together with many community advocates, that this
scheme has come to fruition. This scheme will provide a payment of $85,000 to
each surviving member of the stolen generation.
Members, no
amount of financial redress can ever compensate for the deep emotional scars
that were caused by government policies that continued until the repeal of the
Native Welfare Act in 1972 and allowed the removal of Indigenous children from
their families, their culture and their country. These redress payments are an
acknowledgement of past injustice. It does not correct what happened; however,
it offers a pathway forward for survivors, their families and our community as
a whole. It is why, as part of this scheme, the WA Government will partner with
stolen generation organisations to develop additional measures to support
ongoing healing and truth-telling.
Our government
is committed to a swift and efficient implementation of the redress scheme. Survivors
should be assured they will not be compelled to experience indignity in
justifying their claims to redress in a complicated manner, nor will we seek to
add to their trauma, but we will seek to support their healing journey.
Payments are expected to commence in late 2025 and more information, including
eligibility and when and how to apply, will be released in the coming weeks. I
want to echo the words of
Premier Cook in his address to Reconciliation WA's National Reconciliation Week
breakfast this morning and again say to the stolen generation survivors that we
are sorry for the separation of families and sorry for the removal of children
from culture and from country. We deeply regret this shameful period in our
state's history and acknowledge the profound impact this has had and continues
to have on Aboriginal people and their families.
Redress under
this scheme is not just financial, it will also include non-financial elements
such as community-led healing initiatives, trauma-informed counselling as well
as culturally safe healing programs. There will be help with tracing family
histories. Reconnecting with kin is a crucial step in the journey. As we meet
here in this place during National Reconciliation Week 2025, we reflect on our
shared history, not only to recognise the past, but to understand it, to learn
from it and to make a strong commitment to walk together. In this place we are
very privileged to be able to do good things. This is a good thing. Thank you.
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