Elsie Lange
The state government’s Stolen Generations reparations package has been called “a step in the right direction” by Sunbury’s leading First Nations organisation.
Sunbury Aboriginal Corporation chair and Kamilaroi man Peter Webster said there were a number of Stolen Generations in Sunbury and surrounds, and this announcement would help them reconnect with their culture and their people.
“People lost language, they lost belongings, they lost the connection to land when they were removed,” Mr Webster said.
“It’s not a compensation package, it’s a healing package to help those people heal and reconnect, and hopefully find what they’ve missed in their life.”
Designed by the Stolen Generations Reparations Steering Committee, the package will include $100,000 reparations to those who are eligible, a personal government apology, access to programs for healing and connection to Country, and the chance to share their story.
The state government acknowledged that reparations would never make up for what happened to those who were stolen from their families and removed from their land.
“This package is designed to go some way towards addressing the actions of past governments that resulted in ongoing suffering for Stolen Generations members and communities,” the government said.
Mr Webster, a member of the Stolen Generations from New South Wales, said he’s watched attitudes change over the years.
“It’s fantastic to see a government in Australia is looking at First Nations people, the longest surviving culture in the world,” Mr Webster said.
He said he hopes for more understanding from all Australians about First Nations people and the history of colonisation.
“You have a look at other parts of the world where similar sorts of things have happened, and they accept that,” Mr Webster said.
“But for some reason, here in Australia, no one wants to go and say, ‘Well you know what? What happened was really bad and should never have happened’.
“It’s part of our history and acknowledging history – it’s not about blaming anyone, it’s not saying that one person’s more responsible for what happened than another person – it’s acknowledging that history.
“Because without acknowledging it, how do you move forward and rebuild from that?”
Applications for the package open on Thursday, March 31, and will be assessed by June with payments beginning later this year.
The package is open to those removed by a government or non-government agency in Victoria prior to December 31, 1976.
