What you said about Aboriginal, Torres Strait Island people campaign for Stolen Generations compensation

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are ramping up a campaign for compensation – sparking a war of words. HAVE YOUR SAY

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Fiona Simpson. Picture: Liam Kidston

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are stepping up a campaign for the Queensland government to offer compensation to help heal the horrors of the Stolen Generation.

However it seems many readers have already made up their mind.

Queensland is the only state not to offer compensation in the 18 years since the landmark Australian Human Rights Commission’s Bringing them Home report recommended doing so.

Indigenous advocacy group Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation Queensland sent a letter to Premier David Crisafulli calling for the state to offer compensation.

“It is primarily about healing now, recognising hurt and harm and bringing some justice to the situation,” the letter said.

“Reparation would have positive effects for the mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities now, with potential flowthrough for incarceration and suicide rates.”

The Human Rights Commission’s 1997 Bringing Them Home report outlined the responsibility to repair the damage caused, award victims means of rehabilitation and compensation.

Between 1908 and 1971 some 2302 Indigenous children were removed to missions and settlements across Queensland – a process during which mothers were shot and killed.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Fiona Simpson said the government would not progress compensation but was delivering projects designed in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders to support “measurable improvements in health, education, critical infrastructure, housing, tourism, and community partnerships”.

Readers were quick to join the conversation.

Some urged the government to hold its ground over the matter, while others said it was time to move on.

While some insisted there remains wider issues at play.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

Good on you, LNP

GBH

Well done Queensland, let’s show the rest of Australia what a backbone looks like and hold the line in refusing to be treated as an indigenous ATM

Paul

QLD politics from the Crisafulli government is real politics not like the other politics from other states who try to impress everyone which never works !

Sunil

Good on the Qld govt for actually making a contribution to advancing all instead of lining the pockets of the few.

Saying It As It Is

Thank goodness the Queensland government is standing up against more cash-grabbing by indigenous people. You have full support.

sandy

I didn’t steal anything, why should I pay? After all it’s MY tax that would be used and I don’t agree with it.

Peter

When will this insanity stop. Well done Qld Government.

The legacy of the Stolen Generation looms large in Queensland.

Pay up!

FX

Native Title is not ‘giving’ anyone anything. Ira the law recognising that it was always indigenous land.

ANOTHER AUSSIE BATTLER

Financial reconciliation should be given in the forms of health services, education opportunities & creating safe communities run by ATSI people. Not through cash handouts.

GLEN

Ignore the industry activists and spend the money wisely on the real needs of indigenous Australians.

Has the time come for compensation in Queensland?

It’s all a mess

Adele

There was a time if you go far back enough, when it wasn’t indigenous land, so no, it hasn’t always been there’s. They settled here and laid claim to it.

The Realist

Australia total welfare bill divided by population equates to an average of just over $7k per person Australias indigenous spend divided by population equates to approximately $46k per person. Pretty much says it all really ….

P

Queenslanders got rid of the ultra woke Miles Labor government just in time.

The wise one

Do not give into this greed

Kevin

The Voice was always about money so nothing has really changed.

Originally published as What you said about Aboriginal, Torres Strait Island people campaign for Stolen Generations compensation