Prioritise Stolen Generations to close the gap
The national body that supports Stolen Generations survivors and survivor organisations has called on the re-elected Albanese Government to urgently enact critical supports for elderly survivors, to improve outcomes for all Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“We welcome Prime Minister Albanese’s comments that we will be stronger as a country when we close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians,” The Healing Foundation’s chair Professor Steve Larkin said.
“The groundbreaking Bringing them home report showed the connection between being forcibly removed from family, community, culture and country to so many of key indicators within the Closing the Gap targets.
“Research has shown that Stolen Generations survivors and their families represent a ‘gap within the gap’. As a direct result of their forcible removal, survivors and their descendants face poorer health, mental health, social, and economic outcomes than other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare previously estimated that Stolen Generations descendants make up 33% of the adult Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population.
“Put simply: We cannot close the gap without a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the outstanding needs of ageing Stolen Generations survivors,” Professor Larkin said.
“Many survivors are elderly, often suffering multiple chronic health conditions without the money to afford the treatment they need. Most are now eligible for aged care, yet it can be challenging to find appropriate, trauma informed aged care that meets their complex needs and does not trigger trauma from past institutionalisation.
“There is an opportunity for the Albanese Government to make a real difference to ageing Stolen Generations survivors and their families over the coming months and years. We cannot afford to wait another generation.”
The Healing Foundation is recommending a National Healing Package of urgent changes to enable remaining elderly survivors to live out their days with dignity.
“Urgent priorities include things like access to records, which remains a big issue, culturally safe and appropriate aged care, equitable redress for survivors in all states and territories and investment in vital services on the ground,” Professor Larkin said.
“Australia’s Stolen Generations policies and actions had a devastating impact on survivors, families and communities. The resulting pain and suffering is at the heart of so many of the issues facing our communities.
“We must not miss the opportunity to make things right.
“The Healing Foundation is calling on relevant ministers from all jurisdictions to come together to plan a long overdue systematic approach to meeting the needs of survivors, and prioritise next steps before it’s too late.
“All governments, ministers, departments, churches and other stakeholders have a role to play in implementing practical actions to address the inequalities that confront ageing Stolen Generations survivors and descendants.
“Time is of the essence: survivors are dying, many without seeing justice for themselves or their children,” Professor Larkin said.
