Indigenous Australians from the Stolen Generations in Western Australia are set to receive $85,000 in reparations as part of a newly announced redress scheme by the state government. Premier Roger Cook unveiled the initiative shortly after National Sorry Day, emphasizing that it aims to address historical injustices for those forcibly removed from their families.
“This marks a small but significant stride towards rectifying past wrongs,” said Cook. He characterised the scheme as a step towards reconciliation, acknowledging the Stolen Generations era as a regrettable chapter in the nation’s history. The Premier highlighted that the legacy of these actions has led to cycles of disadvantage and intergenerational trauma among Indigenous communities.
Western Australia’s new scheme aligns it with other Australian states and territories, with Queensland being the only jurisdiction yet to establish a similar program. The reparations of $85,000, while less than Victoria’s $100,000 offer, exceed the amounts given in New South Wales and various territories ($75,000), South Australia ($20,000 plus $10,000), and Tasmania ($58,333 for survivors, $22,000 for descendants).
Cook noted that while monetary compensation cannot completely remedy the experiences of those affected, it acknowledges the injustices faced by them and their families. “These payments recognise a wrong without rectifying the past, providing a path forward for healing,” he asserted.
Tony Hansen, an advocate for the scheme, welcomed the announcement, articulating that it has been a long-awaited development. He emphasised the collective suffering of Indigenous people due to past policies, calling attention to the destructive legacy of such actions. Hansen pointed out that much of the forced removal policy in WA was influenced by A.O. Neville, the state’s chief protector of Aborigines from 1915 to 1940. He characterised Neville’s beliefs, which included eugenics and ideas about merging Indigenous peoples with white settlers, as particularly damaging.
“Today heralds a historic moment. As a survivor, I feel proud to collaborate with the Premier and his government,” Hansen stated. The scheme is open to Indigenous individuals removed from their families before July 1, 1972, and applications start immediately, with payments anticipated in the latter half of the year.
The announcement represents a meaningful effort to confront a painful past and facilitate healing and recognition for the Stolen Generations in Western Australia.