WA redress scheme applications open

Many WA Stolen Generations survivors can now apply for redress.

The opening of the Western Australian Stolen Generations Redress Scheme this week offers long overdue acknowledgement of the pain and mistreatment survivors experienced, but some people may miss out, The Healing Foundation said today.

The national body that supports Stolen Generations survivors and their organisations reiterated calls for the Government of Western Australia to heed key learnings from redress schemes in other jurisdictions. 

“We all want as many survivors as possible to be able to receive this redress in their lifetimes,” The Healing Foundation’s Chairperson Professor Steve Larkin said. 

“We urge the government to prioritise advance payments for sick and elderly survivors, and to exercise flexibility and discretion when considering the cut off date for eligibility.”  

The Healing Foundation’s CEO Shannan Dodson said that in practice, child removals often continued long after the official policies ended. 

“We do not want any survivors to be excluded based on the end date of a policy, when their lives were similarly impacted as someone removed the day or week before,” Ms Dodson said. 

Professor Larkin congratulated the Government of Western Australia on working closely with local Stolen Generations organisations on the establishment of the scheme. 

“Local survivor organisations must also be sustainably supported to provide wrap around services to those applying for redress,” said Professor Larkin.

“We congratulate the Government of Western Australia on recognising Australia cannot wait another generation before acting to support ageing Stolen Generations survivors, and urge them to consider these factors as the scheme is rolled out.”

Ms Dodson also paid tribute to the tireless work of Western Australian Stolen Generations survivors and organisations in campaigning for the scheme.

“Across Western Australia, survivors and descendants have fought for years for justice and redress. I honour all the Stolen Generations organisations that have advocated and stood alongside survivors throughout this long journey,” Ms Dodson said. 

“No amount of money will make up for the trauma inflicted on Stolen babies and children, but redress is validation of their experience, and some compensation for the pain they’ve suffered.”

The Healing Foundation hopes this positive action by Western Australia will encourage all governments to consider a National Healing Package of priority changes to enable remaining survivors to live out their days with dignity. 

Details about how to apply for the Western Australian Stolen Generations Redress Scheme can be found here https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/stolen-generations-redress-scheme