Time for talk is over for Stolen Generations survivors
Keira Jenkins |
Stolen Generations survivors need access to their records, redress, and the truth to be told about their experiences to foster healing, with one state in particular being urged to “get a move on”.
Queensland is the only jurisdiction in the country that does not have a redress scheme available for Stolen Generations survivors.
Redress for survivors in Western Australia was announced in May 2025, leaving Queensland “dragging the chain” Healing Foundation chairperson John Paterson told AAP.
“It’s totally unacceptable,” he said.
“We strongly urge the Queensland government to get a move on and meet with Stolen Generations reference groups and advisors to have this matter resolved as quickly as possible.”
Survivors continue to experience the impacts of being forcibly removed from their families, and with the 30th anniversary of the landmark Bringing Them Home report approaching in 2027, action is increasingly urgent.
The Bringing Them Home report documented the experiences of survivors and the impacts of forced removals, making more than 80 recommendations, a number of which have not yet been implemented.
More than a third of the estimated 23,300 Stolen Generations survivors across Australia are now over 65 years old.
As this population ages, Mr Paterson said it is critical that there are care services that are sensitive, appropriate and tailored for their needs.
“We’ve had inquiries and, royal commissions, we’ve received the evidence so the time is over for talk,” he said.
“We want the appropriate leadership from the Commonwealth government, and state and territory governments to step up to the plate.”
Aunty Pat Thomson, the chief executive of the Queensland-based service Link Up, and a Stolen Generations survivor said too many people have died without seeing proper reparations, and acknowledgement that what happened to them was wrong.
“Removing children from their families was racist … they were removed simply because they were Aboriginal,” she said.
“These issues are still very relevant today and there needs to be acknowledgement and recognition of that.”
Access to records from churches, homes and other institutions involved in forced removals also needs to be prioritised, Mr Paterson said.
“When survivors go and ask for that information the response is usually ‘we don’t have the resources or capacity to do it’,” he said.
“At the end of the day, someone has to be responsible for that.”
Meeting with other survivors and organisations at The Gathering, hosted by the Healing Foundation, in Adelaide was an opportunity, said Ms Thomson.
Not only was it a chance to bolster calls for action to the Queensland government and speak to those who have been through the redress process, Ms Thomson said it was also a time to share and connect.
“It’s a great opportunity to meet up with people, exchange experiences and stories and give strength to each other to continue to move forward,” she said.
“We’re very resilient and I think it’s important that we continue to meet and share that strength with each other.”
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