Stolen Generation survivors to get $100k payment

Payments of $100,000 and a personal apology to Stolen Generation survivors are part of a landmark package unveiled by the state government.

Survivors of the Stolen Generation will be given a $100,000 payment and a personal apology by the Victorian government.

Payments of $100,000 and a personal apology from the state government will be given to survivors of the Stolen Generation.

The Victorian government will on Thursday unveil the landmark package at a ceremony at Parliament House, in a move that’s been welcomed by the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.

The Herald Sun understands that Aboriginal Victorians who were removed from their families prior to 1977 will be able to apply for the payments, as well as gain access to healing and family reunion programs.

Assembly co-chair and proud Nira illim bulluk man of the Taungurung nation Marcus Stewart said the harm caused by governments forcibly removing Aboriginal children from their families, Country and community could never be repaired.

But he said the Victorian government’s “attempt to acknowledge the injustice and provide redress” was an important step.

“Treaty is about creating a better future, but to do that there’s a lot of unfinished business from the past that we need to tackle first. That’s why truth-telling and redress for our Stolen Generations survivors is a priority for us at the First Peoples’ Assembly,” Marcus said in a statement on Thursday morning.

Aunty Geraldine Atkinson, co-chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. Picture: Supplied

Assembly co-chair and Bangerang and Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Geraldine Atkinson said the policies that caused the Stolen Generations were an attempt to “breed out and eliminate Aboriginal people”.

“But here we are, still proudly practising our culture and speaking our languages. We have the oldest living culture in the world. We know a thing or two about survival, resilience and resistance,” she said.

“The damage inflicted on our people when government authorities ripped families apart and stole our children runs across generations, and the disadvantage it caused is ongoing. I don’t believe there is anything that can heal that trauma or ever repay that loss, but the package announced today will go some way to helping people address the disadvantage caused by the inhumane practices our people have been subjected to.”

Premier Daniel Andrews says Victorian authorities, acting under past laws, forcibly removed many Aboriginal children from their families Picture: AAP

Applications for the financial reparations open on Thursday, March 31.

The application process will prioritise terminally and critically ill applicants who will be able to receive interim payments.

Those who were removed by a government or non-government agency in a Victoria prior to December 31, 1976, are eligible for the package.

Applications will start being assessed by June and payments will begin later this year.

Premier Daniel Andrews said 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 be righting the wrongs of our past, and addressing ongoing injustices, can we achieve a fairer and stronger future for all Victorians.”

Mr Andrews said the package was not a cost to the budget.

“This is an investment in justice and truth,” he said.

Mr Andrews said the redress scheme would provide some comfort and also help non-Aboriginal Victorians understand previous wrongdoings.

“This is long overdue and I fully acknowledge that,” he said.

“(It is) trying to put right those terrible, evil wrongs of our past. To steal, not just people, but to steal from them, their identity – or at least attempt to – to take away from them their language and cultural practice, family and country, is a shameful, shameful thing.

“These moneys are not a cost to the budget, they are a profound investment in a fairer Victoria, a more unified Victoria, a reconciled Victoria.”

Ian Hamm, chair of Connection Home, speaking at the announcement of the reparation scheme. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Ian Hamm, chair of the Stolen Generations service provider Collecting Home, said the government would be responsible for producing the documents required for applicants to receive payments.

“(The scheme) is built around the principle of causing no more harm. We will be setting the evidentiary bar as low as we can,” Mr Hamm said.

“The onus is on the state to gather the evidence for someone who puts in an application.”

There was little concern about fraudulent applications, Mr Hamm said.

“We know their stories, they are well known through the community and their families.”

Mr Hamm, a Yorta Yorta man and Stolen Generations survivor, said he did not think he would live to see a reparations scheme of this scale.

The package would not reverse the damage caused but would provide unprecedented financial security to impacted families, he said.

“This will give them something that they haven’t had for the bulk of their lives, not having to worry about where their next meal comes from or rent.

“As we enter the last third of our lives it gives them something to leave their children which they may not have been able to give them.”

Opposition spokesman for Aboriginal Affairs Peter Walsh said “truth, healing and righting past wrongs” are an important part of reconciliation, but must go hand-in-hand with genuine progress towards Closing the Gap targets.

“In the past two years, there’s been a devastating decline in Victoria’s progress to reach Closing the Gap targets, in fact – on too many key indicators – Victoria has actually gone backwards,” Mr Walsh said.

“Truth, justice and healing are part of reconciliation but so too is working with communities to create a better life for people now and for future generations.

“This will only be achieved by looking at the whole picture. Education, job opportunities and a roof over your head all help to build a secure future.

“Delivering opportunity and positive change in education, employment, housing and health and life expectancy is the pathway to bringing down high rates of incarceration, out-of-home care and suicide.”