Tasmania says "sorry"
Payout deal for 'stolen' children
By Matthew Denholm
October 18, 2006
THE debate on the "stolen generations" will be reignited today by the unveiling of the nation's first compensation package for Aborigines taken from their parents under assimilation policies.
Tasmania will today announce a government apology and a $4 million compensation scheme for members of the stolen generations.
The Australian understands the scheme will involve the appointment of an independent assessor, who will judge individual cases against set criteria.
The assessor will consider individuals' testimonies and examine government records to test claims of wrongful removal by welfare agencies, mostly from the 1930s to the 1950s.
A compensation funding pool - to be capped at about $4 million - will then be distributed among those found to have genuine cases.
While the number of potential applicants is unknown, the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre has already identified 40 individuals with "solid claims" for compensation.
The scheme - hailed by Aboriginal leaders yesterday as a model for other states to follow - will be advertised nationally to invite applications from those who may have left the state.
Premier Paul Lennon will sell the package as lifting a key barrier to reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Tasmanians. Yesterday, Aboriginal leaders praised Mr Lennon's "leadership" and "courage" and expressed hope it would rekindle national debate on the issue.
To read the full article in The Australian, click on:
The Australian
By Matthew Denholm
October 18, 2006
THE debate on the "stolen generations" will be reignited today by the unveiling of the nation's first compensation package for Aborigines taken from their parents under assimilation policies.
Tasmania will today announce a government apology and a $4 million compensation scheme for members of the stolen generations.
The Australian understands the scheme will involve the appointment of an independent assessor, who will judge individual cases against set criteria.
The assessor will consider individuals' testimonies and examine government records to test claims of wrongful removal by welfare agencies, mostly from the 1930s to the 1950s.
A compensation funding pool - to be capped at about $4 million - will then be distributed among those found to have genuine cases.
While the number of potential applicants is unknown, the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre has already identified 40 individuals with "solid claims" for compensation.
The scheme - hailed by Aboriginal leaders yesterday as a model for other states to follow - will be advertised nationally to invite applications from those who may have left the state.
Premier Paul Lennon will sell the package as lifting a key barrier to reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Tasmanians. Yesterday, Aboriginal leaders praised Mr Lennon's "leadership" and "courage" and expressed hope it would rekindle national debate on the issue.
To read the full article in The Australian, click on:
The Australian
posted by Pax Christi @ Wednesday, October 18, 2006
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