$50,000 payments for Stolen Generation survivors under $11 million scheme

STOLEN Generation survivors will be eligible for payments of up to $50,000 under a $11 million reparations fund being established by the State Government.

STOLEN Generation survivors will be eligible for payments of up to $50,000 under a $11 million reparations fund being established by the State Government.

Up to $6 million will be available for ex-gratia payments for members of SA’s Aboriginal communities removed from their families and whose usual place of residence was SA at the time of the separation.

It means that survivors will not need to fight in court for compensation and the process will take into account the loss of documents, witnesses, and memories over time.

The balance of the funding will be used for whole-of-community reparations, which will be finalised in consultation with Aboriginal leaders and communities.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kyam Maher said the scheme was a significant step in the state’s reconciliation journey.

“The South Australian Parliament became one of the first in Australia to apologise to the Stolen

Generations in 1997,” he said.

“Since our apology, SA has developed a range of policies and initiatives with a focus on reconciliation and the wellbeing of Aboriginal people.”

“Importantly, the scheme will also allow members of the Stolen Generations to tell their stories, which the 1997 Bringing Them Home report found was a critical part of the healing process.”

The Government had come under fire for being slow to act on setting up a reparations scheme.

Opposition leader Steven Marshall brought a proposal for a scheme to Parliament last year but it failed to gain support from the Government.

Earlier this year Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement chief executive Cheryl Axelby said the lack of a scheme showed the Government had “no commitment to social justice”.

Then-Government appointed Aboriginal Engagement Commissioner Khatija Thomas said ministers “hadn’t shown any concerted effort at all to engage” with Aboriginal people.

Ms Axelby said today that at least we had now arrived at a point where members of the Stolen Generation could seek compensation without going through a lengthy trial.

“I know that a lot of the elderly were concerned they were not going to be around to see this opportunity come before them.,” she said.

“I think we should take the opportunity to acknowledge our Stolen Gen members past and present.

“Some that will never get to see the opportunity that’s being put forward today but also many who are still suffering and living through the trauma they experienced as a result of having been removed.”

Mr Maher said individual payments would be recommended by an independent assessor.

“The assessor’s primary role will be to determine whether an applicant is eligible for an ex-gratia payment, and if so, assess what level of harm has been caused,” he said.

“As part of the process, the assessor will be able to hear the personal stories of applicants, and speak with family members and people connected with the removal.

“Based on the assessor’s recommendations, the Minister will decide the amount of the payment.”

The scheme will begin on March 31 next year, and the application process will remain open for 12 months.”

“Whole-of-community reparations might include places of memorial, education scholarships and programs, counselling and support services, and exhibitions telling the stories of the Stolen Generations,” Mr Maher said.

Opposition Aboriginal affairs spokesman Duncan McFetridge said he was disappointed the scheme took so long to introduce but was glad the day had finally arrived.

“It was 14 years ago that I entered Parliament and since then I have been determined to make a difference for Aboriginal communities,” he said.

“It‘s not all about the money, it’s also about telling their stories and recognition of the past.”