Almost $70m paid to survivors of the Stolen Generations under Victoria’s landmark compensation fund
Almost $70m has been paid to survivors of the Stolen Generations under Victoria’s landmark compensation fund, three years after then premier Daniel Andrews announced the redress scheme for Aboriginal Victorians who had been removed from their families.
Almost $70m has been paid to survivors of the Stolen Generations under Victoria’s landmark compensation fund.
New data has revealed that reparations for the historical injustice have been paid to 683 Victorian so far, with hundreds more applications currently being processed.
It comes after the Victorian government’s announcement in 2022 of a landmark $155m Stolen Generations Reparations Package, after then premier Daniel Andrews made the first state-based official apology.
Under the scheme, Aboriginal Victorians who were removed from their families prior to 1977 can apply for payments and access healing and family reunion programs.
Payments of up to $100,000 can be sought, and people can request an expedited $20,000 payment if they are seriously or terminally ill.
Department of Justice and Community Safety secretary Emma Cassar PSM provided the update to the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee on Thursday.
She revealed that, as at June, 683 applications had been processed, but 992 had been received, with many still in train.
When announcing the package, which will run until 2027, Mr Andrews said it was the minimum the state could do after Victorian authorities, acting under past laws, forcibly removed many Aboriginal children from their families.
“Healing and reconciliation for Aboriginal Victorians doesn’t just mean talking about what we can do – it means taking action,” Mr Andrews said.
“While we’re on a pathway to Treaty, and truth telling is under way, more can be done.
“Only by righting the wrongs of our past, and addressing ongoing injustices, can we achieve a fairer and stronger future for all Victorians.”
He added that the package was not a cost to the budget.
“This is an investment in justice and truth,” he said.
First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria Co-chair and Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Dhudhuroa woman Ngarra Murray welcomed the news that the program was progressing.
“When they were kids, members of the Stolen Generation had government workers come into their homes and separate them from their families, culture, language and Country, specifically because they were Aboriginal,” she said.
“While nothing can ever heal these wounds, the redress scheme has made a significant difference to members of the Stolen Generation. It recognises the disruption of their childhood and the opportunity that was taken from them to lead the lives that most people take for granted. It is also an important acknowledgment by the government and the wider Victorian community of the harm done to our people.”
Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Melina Bath said the program had merit but called for more transparency.
“While two-thirds applicants have received reparations, Labor still cannot explain how payments were assessed or how $68 million has been spent,” she said.
“Those impacted and more broadly, Victorians deserve clarity on whether payments were applied consistently or varied based on individual circumstances and what principles guided these decisions.”
“For a program of this significance, the lack of transparency, clear criteria and financial accountability is deeply concerning and the Allan government must provide answers.”
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Originally published as Almost $70m paid to survivors of the Stolen Generations under Victoria’s landmark compensation fund
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