❓ Question regarding ongoing financial commitment to help Aboriginal families access family records, following the "Bringing them home" report. The Minister confirms additional funding of $1.6 million over four years to continue the work of the Family Information Records Bureau.
AnsweredQoN 986Legislative Assembly
Asked
14 May 2002
Member
Portfolio
Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth
QuestionView source ↗
FAMILY RECORDS, FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO ABORIGINAL FAMILIES
Mr Barnett: Did you enjoy your time in Europe? Did you enjoy yourself? Welcome home. Mr MARLBOROUGH: I thank the Leader of the Opposition. It never ceases to amaze me that I am welcomed back to the House more by members on that side than by members on this side. It is amazing how life treats you. Mr House interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: I know that deep in his heart, the member for Stirling has a special affection for me. My question is to the Minister for Community Development. Ms McHale interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: The minister likes me! Has any ongoing financial commitment been made to help Aboriginal families access family records, given the recommendation of the “Bringing them home” report? Ms McHALE
Mr Barnett: Did you enjoy your time in Europe? Did you enjoy yourself? Welcome home. Mr MARLBOROUGH: I thank the Leader of the Opposition. It never ceases to amaze me that I am welcomed back to the House more by members on that side than by members on this side. It is amazing how life treats you. Mr House interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: I know that deep in his heart, the member for Stirling has a special affection for me. My question is to the Minister for Community Development. Ms McHale interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: The minister likes me! Has any ongoing financial commitment been made to help Aboriginal families access family records, given the recommendation of the “Bringing them home” report? Ms McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
That was an apt question from the member for Peel. I welcome him home and thank him for the question. It is a timely question given that it is Family Week. Perhaps one of the biggest services we can provide to Aboriginal families and others is information on their full history. This program is about doing that. In response to the “Bringing them home” report, the Family Information Records Bureau was set up in 1998 to enhance the identification and preservation of old and deteriorating family records, provide faster access to those records and assist in initial counselling. The bureau was set up under the previous Government and I acknowledge the work done by the previous minister. In recognition of the ongoing need for access to those records, the Government has provided an additional $1.6 million over four years to continue this important work. The funding will make sure that the service continues, and will enhance the existing computerised information and help to continue the identification of private record collections, so that we can build upon the existing database. The department has been successful in its negotiations with churches and communities and now has indexes relating to 23 record collections, which contain more than one million folios from the former Native Welfare Department and more than one million community welfare records. Most importantly, the development of the new computer system has led to a reduction in the turnaround time for the provision of full family histories. That turnaround time is now, on average, about 45 days, and in some instances just a few days. Prior to the introduction of the new computer system, it took the department and therefore families about six to eight months on average to access the data that could provide that family history. This is important work as it provides essential information to not only Aboriginal families, and in particular members of the stolen generation, but also former wards, adoptees and child migrants.
Mr MARLBOROUGH: I thank the Leader of the Opposition. It never ceases to amaze me that I am welcomed back to the House more by members on that side than by members on this side. It is amazing how life treats you. Mr House interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: I know that deep in his heart, the member for Stirling has a special affection for me. My question is to the Minister for Community Development. Ms McHale interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: The minister likes me! Has any ongoing financial commitment been made to help Aboriginal families access family records, given the recommendation of the “Bringing them home” report? Ms McHALE replied: That was an apt question from the member for Peel. I welcome him home and thank him for the question. It is a timely question given that it is Family Week. Perhaps one of the biggest services we can provide to Aboriginal families and others is information on their full history. This program is about doing that. In response to the “Bringing them home” report, the Family Information Records Bureau was set up in 1998 to enhance the identification and preservation of old and deteriorating family records, provide faster access to those records and assist in initial counselling. The bureau was set up under the previous Government and I acknowledge the work done by the previous minister. In recognition of the ongoing need for access to those records, the Government has provided an additional $1.6 million over four years to continue this important work. The funding will make sure that the service continues, and will enhance the existing computerised information and help to continue the identification of private record collections, so that we can build upon the existing database. The department has been successful in its negotiations with churches and communities and now has indexes relating to 23 record collections, which contain more than one million folios from the former Native Welfare Department and more than one million community welfare records. Most importantly, the development of the new computer system has led to a reduction in the turnaround time for the provision of full family histories. That turnaround time is now, on average, about 45 days, and in some instances just a few days. Prior to the introduction of the new computer system, it took the department and therefore families about six to eight months on average to access the data that could provide that family history. This is important work as it provides essential information to not only Aboriginal families, and in particular members of the stolen generation, but also former wards, adoptees and child migrants.
Mr House interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: I know that deep in his heart, the member for Stirling has a special affection for me. My question is to the Minister for Community Development. Ms McHale interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: The minister likes me! Has any ongoing financial commitment been made to help Aboriginal families access family records, given the recommendation of the “Bringing them home” report? Ms McHALE replied: That was an apt question from the member for Peel. I welcome him home and thank him for the question. It is a timely question given that it is Family Week. Perhaps one of the biggest services we can provide to Aboriginal families and others is information on their full history. This program is about doing that. In response to the “Bringing them home” report, the Family Information Records Bureau was set up in 1998 to enhance the identification and preservation of old and deteriorating family records, provide faster access to those records and assist in initial counselling. The bureau was set up under the previous Government and I acknowledge the work done by the previous minister. In recognition of the ongoing need for access to those records, the Government has provided an additional $1.6 million over four years to continue this important work. The funding will make sure that the service continues, and will enhance the existing computerised information and help to continue the identification of private record collections, so that we can build upon the existing database. The department has been successful in its negotiations with churches and communities and now has indexes relating to 23 record collections, which contain more than one million folios from the former Native Welfare Department and more than one million community welfare records. Most importantly, the development of the new computer system has led to a reduction in the turnaround time for the provision of full family histories. That turnaround time is now, on average, about 45 days, and in some instances just a few days. Prior to the introduction of the new computer system, it took the department and therefore families about six to eight months on average to access the data that could provide that family history. This is important work as it provides essential information to not only Aboriginal families, and in particular members of the stolen generation, but also former wards, adoptees and child migrants.
Mr MARLBOROUGH: I know that deep in his heart, the member for Stirling has a special affection for me. My question is to the Minister for Community Development. Ms McHale interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: The minister likes me! Has any ongoing financial commitment been made to help Aboriginal families access family records, given the recommendation of the “Bringing them home” report? Ms McHALE replied: That was an apt question from the member for Peel. I welcome him home and thank him for the question. It is a timely question given that it is Family Week. Perhaps one of the biggest services we can provide to Aboriginal families and others is information on their full history. This program is about doing that. In response to the “Bringing them home” report, the Family Information Records Bureau was set up in 1998 to enhance the identification and preservation of old and deteriorating family records, provide faster access to those records and assist in initial counselling. The bureau was set up under the previous Government and I acknowledge the work done by the previous minister. In recognition of the ongoing need for access to those records, the Government has provided an additional $1.6 million over four years to continue this important work. The funding will make sure that the service continues, and will enhance the existing computerised information and help to continue the identification of private record collections, so that we can build upon the existing database. The department has been successful in its negotiations with churches and communities and now has indexes relating to 23 record collections, which contain more than one million folios from the former Native Welfare Department and more than one million community welfare records. Most importantly, the development of the new computer system has led to a reduction in the turnaround time for the provision of full family histories. That turnaround time is now, on average, about 45 days, and in some instances just a few days. Prior to the introduction of the new computer system, it took the department and therefore families about six to eight months on average to access the data that could provide that family history. This is important work as it provides essential information to not only Aboriginal families, and in particular members of the stolen generation, but also former wards, adoptees and child migrants.
My question is to the Minister for Community Development. Ms McHale interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: The minister likes me! Has any ongoing financial commitment been made to help Aboriginal families access family records, given the recommendation of the “Bringing them home” report? Ms McHALE replied: That was an apt question from the member for Peel. I welcome him home and thank him for the question. It is a timely question given that it is Family Week. Perhaps one of the biggest services we can provide to Aboriginal families and others is information on their full history. This program is about doing that. In response to the “Bringing them home” report, the Family Information Records Bureau was set up in 1998 to enhance the identification and preservation of old and deteriorating family records, provide faster access to those records and assist in initial counselling. The bureau was set up under the previous Government and I acknowledge the work done by the previous minister. In recognition of the ongoing need for access to those records, the Government has provided an additional $1.6 million over four years to continue this important work. The funding will make sure that the service continues, and will enhance the existing computerised information and help to continue the identification of private record collections, so that we can build upon the existing database. The department has been successful in its negotiations with churches and communities and now has indexes relating to 23 record collections, which contain more than one million folios from the former Native Welfare Department and more than one million community welfare records. Most importantly, the development of the new computer system has led to a reduction in the turnaround time for the provision of full family histories. That turnaround time is now, on average, about 45 days, and in some instances just a few days. Prior to the introduction of the new computer system, it took the department and therefore families about six to eight months on average to access the data that could provide that family history. This is important work as it provides essential information to not only Aboriginal families, and in particular members of the stolen generation, but also former wards, adoptees and child migrants.
Ms McHale interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: The minister likes me! Has any ongoing financial commitment been made to help Aboriginal families access family records, given the recommendation of the “Bringing them home” report? Ms McHALE replied: That was an apt question from the member for Peel. I welcome him home and thank him for the question. It is a timely question given that it is Family Week. Perhaps one of the biggest services we can provide to Aboriginal families and others is information on their full history. This program is about doing that. In response to the “Bringing them home” report, the Family Information Records Bureau was set up in 1998 to enhance the identification and preservation of old and deteriorating family records, provide faster access to those records and assist in initial counselling. The bureau was set up under the previous Government and I acknowledge the work done by the previous minister. In recognition of the ongoing need for access to those records, the Government has provided an additional $1.6 million over four years to continue this important work. The funding will make sure that the service continues, and will enhance the existing computerised information and help to continue the identification of private record collections, so that we can build upon the existing database. The department has been successful in its negotiations with churches and communities and now has indexes relating to 23 record collections, which contain more than one million folios from the former Native Welfare Department and more than one million community welfare records. Most importantly, the development of the new computer system has led to a reduction in the turnaround time for the provision of full family histories. That turnaround time is now, on average, about 45 days, and in some instances just a few days. Prior to the introduction of the new computer system, it took the department and therefore families about six to eight months on average to access the data that could provide that family history. This is important work as it provides essential information to not only Aboriginal families, and in particular members of the stolen generation, but also former wards, adoptees and child migrants.
Mr MARLBOROUGH: The minister likes me! Has any ongoing financial commitment been made to help Aboriginal families access family records, given the recommendation of the “Bringing them home” report? Ms McHALE replied: That was an apt question from the member for Peel. I welcome him home and thank him for the question. It is a timely question given that it is Family Week. Perhaps one of the biggest services we can provide to Aboriginal families and others is information on their full history. This program is about doing that. In response to the “Bringing them home” report, the Family Information Records Bureau was set up in 1998 to enhance the identification and preservation of old and deteriorating family records, provide faster access to those records and assist in initial counselling. The bureau was set up under the previous Government and I acknowledge the work done by the previous minister. In recognition of the ongoing need for access to those records, the Government has provided an additional $1.6 million over four years to continue this important work. The funding will make sure that the service continues, and will enhance the existing computerised information and help to continue the identification of private record collections, so that we can build upon the existing database. The department has been successful in its negotiations with churches and communities and now has indexes relating to 23 record collections, which contain more than one million folios from the former Native Welfare Department and more than one million community welfare records. Most importantly, the development of the new computer system has led to a reduction in the turnaround time for the provision of full family histories. That turnaround time is now, on average, about 45 days, and in some instances just a few days. Prior to the introduction of the new computer system, it took the department and therefore families about six to eight months on average to access the data that could provide that family history. This is important work as it provides essential information to not only Aboriginal families, and in particular members of the stolen generation, but also former wards, adoptees and child migrants.
Has any ongoing financial commitment been made to help Aboriginal families access family records, given the recommendation of the “Bringing them home” report? Ms McHALE replied: That was an apt question from the member for Peel. I welcome him home and thank him for the question. It is a timely question given that it is Family Week. Perhaps one of the biggest services we can provide to Aboriginal families and others is information on their full history. This program is about doing that. In response to the “Bringing them home” report, the Family Information Records Bureau was set up in 1998 to enhance the identification and preservation of old and deteriorating family records, provide faster access to those records and assist in initial counselling. The bureau was set up under the previous Government and I acknowledge the work done by the previous minister. In recognition of the ongoing need for access to those records, the Government has provided an additional $1.6 million over four years to continue this important work. The funding will make sure that the service continues, and will enhance the existing computerised information and help to continue the identification of private record collections, so that we can build upon the existing database. The department has been successful in its negotiations with churches and communities and now has indexes relating to 23 record collections, which contain more than one million folios from the former Native Welfare Department and more than one million community welfare records. Most importantly, the development of the new computer system has led to a reduction in the turnaround time for the provision of full family histories. That turnaround time is now, on average, about 45 days, and in some instances just a few days. Prior to the introduction of the new computer system, it took the department and therefore families about six to eight months on average to access the data that could provide that family history. This is important work as it provides essential information to not only Aboriginal families, and in particular members of the stolen generation, but also former wards, adoptees and child migrants.
Ms McHALE replied: That was an apt question from the member for Peel. I welcome him home and thank him for the question. It is a timely question given that it is Family Week. Perhaps one of the biggest services we can provide to Aboriginal families and others is information on their full history. This program is about doing that. In response to the “Bringing them home” report, the Family Information Records Bureau was set up in 1998 to enhance the identification and preservation of old and deteriorating family records, provide faster access to those records and assist in initial counselling. The bureau was set up under the previous Government and I acknowledge the work done by the previous minister. In recognition of the ongoing need for access to those records, the Government has provided an additional $1.6 million over four years to continue this important work. The funding will make sure that the service continues, and will enhance the existing computerised information and help to continue the identification of private record collections, so that we can build upon the existing database. The department has been successful in its negotiations with churches and communities and now has indexes relating to 23 record collections, which contain more than one million folios from the former Native Welfare Department and more than one million community welfare records. Most importantly, the development of the new computer system has led to a reduction in the turnaround time for the provision of full family histories. That turnaround time is now, on average, about 45 days, and in some instances just a few days. Prior to the introduction of the new computer system, it took the department and therefore families about six to eight months on average to access the data that could provide that family history. This is important work as it provides essential information to not only Aboriginal families, and in particular members of the stolen generation, but also former wards, adoptees and child migrants.
That was an apt question from the member for Peel. I welcome him home and thank him for the question. It is a timely question given that it is Family Week. Perhaps one of the biggest services we can provide to Aboriginal families and others is information on their full history. This program is about doing that. In response to the “Bringing them home” report, the Family Information Records Bureau was set up in 1998 to enhance the identification and preservation of old and deteriorating family records, provide faster access to those records and assist in initial counselling. The bureau was set up under the previous Government and I acknowledge the work done by the previous minister. In recognition of the ongoing need for access to those records, the Government has provided an additional $1.6 million over four years to continue this important work. The funding will make sure that the service continues, and will enhance the existing computerised information and help to continue the identification of private record collections, so that we can build upon the existing database. The department has been successful in its negotiations with churches and communities and now has indexes relating to 23 record collections, which contain more than one million folios from the former Native Welfare Department and more than one million community welfare records. Most importantly, the development of the new computer system has led to a reduction in the turnaround time for the provision of full family histories. That turnaround time is now, on average, about 45 days, and in some instances just a few days. Prior to the introduction of the new computer system, it took the department and therefore families about six to eight months on average to access the data that could provide that family history. This is important work as it provides essential information to not only Aboriginal families, and in particular members of the stolen generation, but also former wards, adoptees and child migrants.
Mr MARLBOROUGH: I thank the Leader of the Opposition. It never ceases to amaze me that I am welcomed back to the House more by members on that side than by members on this side. It is amazing how life treats you. Mr House interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: I know that deep in his heart, the member for Stirling has a special affection for me. My question is to the Minister for Community Development. Ms McHale interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: The minister likes me! Has any ongoing financial commitment been made to help Aboriginal families access family records, given the recommendation of the “Bringing them home” report? Ms McHALE replied: That was an apt question from the member for Peel. I welcome him home and thank him for the question. It is a timely question given that it is Family Week. Perhaps one of the biggest services we can provide to Aboriginal families and others is information on their full history. This program is about doing that. In response to the “Bringing them home” report, the Family Information Records Bureau was set up in 1998 to enhance the identification and preservation of old and deteriorating family records, provide faster access to those records and assist in initial counselling. The bureau was set up under the previous Government and I acknowledge the work done by the previous minister. In recognition of the ongoing need for access to those records, the Government has provided an additional $1.6 million over four years to continue this important work. The funding will make sure that the service continues, and will enhance the existing computerised information and help to continue the identification of private record collections, so that we can build upon the existing database. The department has been successful in its negotiations with churches and communities and now has indexes relating to 23 record collections, which contain more than one million folios from the former Native Welfare Department and more than one million community welfare records. Most importantly, the development of the new computer system has led to a reduction in the turnaround time for the provision of full family histories. That turnaround time is now, on average, about 45 days, and in some instances just a few days. Prior to the introduction of the new computer system, it took the department and therefore families about six to eight months on average to access the data that could provide that family history. This is important work as it provides essential information to not only Aboriginal families, and in particular members of the stolen generation, but also former wards, adoptees and child migrants.
Mr House interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: I know that deep in his heart, the member for Stirling has a special affection for me. My question is to the Minister for Community Development. Ms McHale interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: The minister likes me! Has any ongoing financial commitment been made to help Aboriginal families access family records, given the recommendation of the “Bringing them home” report? Ms McHALE replied: That was an apt question from the member for Peel. I welcome him home and thank him for the question. It is a timely question given that it is Family Week. Perhaps one of the biggest services we can provide to Aboriginal families and others is information on their full history. This program is about doing that. In response to the “Bringing them home” report, the Family Information Records Bureau was set up in 1998 to enhance the identification and preservation of old and deteriorating family records, provide faster access to those records and assist in initial counselling. The bureau was set up under the previous Government and I acknowledge the work done by the previous minister. In recognition of the ongoing need for access to those records, the Government has provided an additional $1.6 million over four years to continue this important work. The funding will make sure that the service continues, and will enhance the existing computerised information and help to continue the identification of private record collections, so that we can build upon the existing database. The department has been successful in its negotiations with churches and communities and now has indexes relating to 23 record collections, which contain more than one million folios from the former Native Welfare Department and more than one million community welfare records. Most importantly, the development of the new computer system has led to a reduction in the turnaround time for the provision of full family histories. That turnaround time is now, on average, about 45 days, and in some instances just a few days. Prior to the introduction of the new computer system, it took the department and therefore families about six to eight months on average to access the data that could provide that family history. This is important work as it provides essential information to not only Aboriginal families, and in particular members of the stolen generation, but also former wards, adoptees and child migrants.
Mr MARLBOROUGH: I know that deep in his heart, the member for Stirling has a special affection for me. My question is to the Minister for Community Development. Ms McHale interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: The minister likes me! Has any ongoing financial commitment been made to help Aboriginal families access family records, given the recommendation of the “Bringing them home” report? Ms McHALE replied: That was an apt question from the member for Peel. I welcome him home and thank him for the question. It is a timely question given that it is Family Week. Perhaps one of the biggest services we can provide to Aboriginal families and others is information on their full history. This program is about doing that. In response to the “Bringing them home” report, the Family Information Records Bureau was set up in 1998 to enhance the identification and preservation of old and deteriorating family records, provide faster access to those records and assist in initial counselling. The bureau was set up under the previous Government and I acknowledge the work done by the previous minister. In recognition of the ongoing need for access to those records, the Government has provided an additional $1.6 million over four years to continue this important work. The funding will make sure that the service continues, and will enhance the existing computerised information and help to continue the identification of private record collections, so that we can build upon the existing database. The department has been successful in its negotiations with churches and communities and now has indexes relating to 23 record collections, which contain more than one million folios from the former Native Welfare Department and more than one million community welfare records. Most importantly, the development of the new computer system has led to a reduction in the turnaround time for the provision of full family histories. That turnaround time is now, on average, about 45 days, and in some instances just a few days. Prior to the introduction of the new computer system, it took the department and therefore families about six to eight months on average to access the data that could provide that family history. This is important work as it provides essential information to not only Aboriginal families, and in particular members of the stolen generation, but also former wards, adoptees and child migrants.
My question is to the Minister for Community Development. Ms McHale interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: The minister likes me! Has any ongoing financial commitment been made to help Aboriginal families access family records, given the recommendation of the “Bringing them home” report? Ms McHALE replied: That was an apt question from the member for Peel. I welcome him home and thank him for the question. It is a timely question given that it is Family Week. Perhaps one of the biggest services we can provide to Aboriginal families and others is information on their full history. This program is about doing that. In response to the “Bringing them home” report, the Family Information Records Bureau was set up in 1998 to enhance the identification and preservation of old and deteriorating family records, provide faster access to those records and assist in initial counselling. The bureau was set up under the previous Government and I acknowledge the work done by the previous minister. In recognition of the ongoing need for access to those records, the Government has provided an additional $1.6 million over four years to continue this important work. The funding will make sure that the service continues, and will enhance the existing computerised information and help to continue the identification of private record collections, so that we can build upon the existing database. The department has been successful in its negotiations with churches and communities and now has indexes relating to 23 record collections, which contain more than one million folios from the former Native Welfare Department and more than one million community welfare records. Most importantly, the development of the new computer system has led to a reduction in the turnaround time for the provision of full family histories. That turnaround time is now, on average, about 45 days, and in some instances just a few days. Prior to the introduction of the new computer system, it took the department and therefore families about six to eight months on average to access the data that could provide that family history. This is important work as it provides essential information to not only Aboriginal families, and in particular members of the stolen generation, but also former wards, adoptees and child migrants.
Ms McHale interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: The minister likes me! Has any ongoing financial commitment been made to help Aboriginal families access family records, given the recommendation of the “Bringing them home” report? Ms McHALE replied: That was an apt question from the member for Peel. I welcome him home and thank him for the question. It is a timely question given that it is Family Week. Perhaps one of the biggest services we can provide to Aboriginal families and others is information on their full history. This program is about doing that. In response to the “Bringing them home” report, the Family Information Records Bureau was set up in 1998 to enhance the identification and preservation of old and deteriorating family records, provide faster access to those records and assist in initial counselling. The bureau was set up under the previous Government and I acknowledge the work done by the previous minister. In recognition of the ongoing need for access to those records, the Government has provided an additional $1.6 million over four years to continue this important work. The funding will make sure that the service continues, and will enhance the existing computerised information and help to continue the identification of private record collections, so that we can build upon the existing database. The department has been successful in its negotiations with churches and communities and now has indexes relating to 23 record collections, which contain more than one million folios from the former Native Welfare Department and more than one million community welfare records. Most importantly, the development of the new computer system has led to a reduction in the turnaround time for the provision of full family histories. That turnaround time is now, on average, about 45 days, and in some instances just a few days. Prior to the introduction of the new computer system, it took the department and therefore families about six to eight months on average to access the data that could provide that family history. This is important work as it provides essential information to not only Aboriginal families, and in particular members of the stolen generation, but also former wards, adoptees and child migrants.
Mr MARLBOROUGH: The minister likes me! Has any ongoing financial commitment been made to help Aboriginal families access family records, given the recommendation of the “Bringing them home” report? Ms McHALE replied: That was an apt question from the member for Peel. I welcome him home and thank him for the question. It is a timely question given that it is Family Week. Perhaps one of the biggest services we can provide to Aboriginal families and others is information on their full history. This program is about doing that. In response to the “Bringing them home” report, the Family Information Records Bureau was set up in 1998 to enhance the identification and preservation of old and deteriorating family records, provide faster access to those records and assist in initial counselling. The bureau was set up under the previous Government and I acknowledge the work done by the previous minister. In recognition of the ongoing need for access to those records, the Government has provided an additional $1.6 million over four years to continue this important work. The funding will make sure that the service continues, and will enhance the existing computerised information and help to continue the identification of private record collections, so that we can build upon the existing database. The department has been successful in its negotiations with churches and communities and now has indexes relating to 23 record collections, which contain more than one million folios from the former Native Welfare Department and more than one million community welfare records. Most importantly, the development of the new computer system has led to a reduction in the turnaround time for the provision of full family histories. That turnaround time is now, on average, about 45 days, and in some instances just a few days. Prior to the introduction of the new computer system, it took the department and therefore families about six to eight months on average to access the data that could provide that family history. This is important work as it provides essential information to not only Aboriginal families, and in particular members of the stolen generation, but also former wards, adoptees and child migrants.
Has any ongoing financial commitment been made to help Aboriginal families access family records, given the recommendation of the “Bringing them home” report? Ms McHALE replied: That was an apt question from the member for Peel. I welcome him home and thank him for the question. It is a timely question given that it is Family Week. Perhaps one of the biggest services we can provide to Aboriginal families and others is information on their full history. This program is about doing that. In response to the “Bringing them home” report, the Family Information Records Bureau was set up in 1998 to enhance the identification and preservation of old and deteriorating family records, provide faster access to those records and assist in initial counselling. The bureau was set up under the previous Government and I acknowledge the work done by the previous minister. In recognition of the ongoing need for access to those records, the Government has provided an additional $1.6 million over four years to continue this important work. The funding will make sure that the service continues, and will enhance the existing computerised information and help to continue the identification of private record collections, so that we can build upon the existing database. The department has been successful in its negotiations with churches and communities and now has indexes relating to 23 record collections, which contain more than one million folios from the former Native Welfare Department and more than one million community welfare records. Most importantly, the development of the new computer system has led to a reduction in the turnaround time for the provision of full family histories. That turnaround time is now, on average, about 45 days, and in some instances just a few days. Prior to the introduction of the new computer system, it took the department and therefore families about six to eight months on average to access the data that could provide that family history. This is important work as it provides essential information to not only Aboriginal families, and in particular members of the stolen generation, but also former wards, adoptees and child migrants.
Ms McHALE replied: That was an apt question from the member for Peel. I welcome him home and thank him for the question. It is a timely question given that it is Family Week. Perhaps one of the biggest services we can provide to Aboriginal families and others is information on their full history. This program is about doing that. In response to the “Bringing them home” report, the Family Information Records Bureau was set up in 1998 to enhance the identification and preservation of old and deteriorating family records, provide faster access to those records and assist in initial counselling. The bureau was set up under the previous Government and I acknowledge the work done by the previous minister. In recognition of the ongoing need for access to those records, the Government has provided an additional $1.6 million over four years to continue this important work. The funding will make sure that the service continues, and will enhance the existing computerised information and help to continue the identification of private record collections, so that we can build upon the existing database. The department has been successful in its negotiations with churches and communities and now has indexes relating to 23 record collections, which contain more than one million folios from the former Native Welfare Department and more than one million community welfare records. Most importantly, the development of the new computer system has led to a reduction in the turnaround time for the provision of full family histories. That turnaround time is now, on average, about 45 days, and in some instances just a few days. Prior to the introduction of the new computer system, it took the department and therefore families about six to eight months on average to access the data that could provide that family history. This is important work as it provides essential information to not only Aboriginal families, and in particular members of the stolen generation, but also former wards, adoptees and child migrants.
That was an apt question from the member for Peel. I welcome him home and thank him for the question. It is a timely question given that it is Family Week. Perhaps one of the biggest services we can provide to Aboriginal families and others is information on their full history. This program is about doing that. In response to the “Bringing them home” report, the Family Information Records Bureau was set up in 1998 to enhance the identification and preservation of old and deteriorating family records, provide faster access to those records and assist in initial counselling. The bureau was set up under the previous Government and I acknowledge the work done by the previous minister. In recognition of the ongoing need for access to those records, the Government has provided an additional $1.6 million over four years to continue this important work. The funding will make sure that the service continues, and will enhance the existing computerised information and help to continue the identification of private record collections, so that we can build upon the existing database. The department has been successful in its negotiations with churches and communities and now has indexes relating to 23 record collections, which contain more than one million folios from the former Native Welfare Department and more than one million community welfare records. Most importantly, the development of the new computer system has led to a reduction in the turnaround time for the provision of full family histories. That turnaround time is now, on average, about 45 days, and in some instances just a few days. Prior to the introduction of the new computer system, it took the department and therefore families about six to eight months on average to access the data that could provide that family history. This is important work as it provides essential information to not only Aboriginal families, and in particular members of the stolen generation, but also former wards, adoptees and child migrants.
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