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) Can the minister advise the house how other measures will be implemented to support the scheme?
Mr Don Punch replied:
(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.
