Compensation for the Stolen Generations
It has been a decade since the "Bringing Them Home" report was tabled. This set out the gross human rights violations that so many Indigenous people endured because of official government policies and laws which enabled and often encouraged children to be removed from the parents and separated from their community and culture solely on the basis of the colour of their skin. There is still a lack of appreciation in parts of Australian society about just how profound and far-reaching the trauma caused by these practices has been, and how strongly it continues to affect many Indigenous people and communities.
As a result of this inquiry, some important and effective actions have been taken to facilitate family reunion and to improve counselling and family support services for victims. However, many recommendations from the report were rejected or inadequately implemented.
The Democrats have tabled an exposure draft of a Stolen Generation Compensation bill seeking to put this issue back on the agenda. Money can never fully compensate for such a wrong, but a mechanism for some reparation also provides recognition of the harm done to the individual person.
Senator Bartlett is very interested in feedback on the bill, so please email your comments either to Senator Bartlett or to his adviser Karen Lee.
For more on the details please visit Senator Bartlett's website.
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