Cook Government Unveils Stolen Generations Support
The Cook Labor Government today announced it will be delivering reparations for living members of the Stolen Generations in Western Australia.
The WA Stolen Generations Redress Scheme is a further step towards reconciliation and healing past wrongs. It acknowledges the Stolen Generations era represents a sorrowful and shameful period in WA’s history and recognises that it has caused cycles of disadvantage and intergenerational trauma.
The scheme will deliver individual payments of $85,000 to Aboriginal people who were removed as children from their families in Western Australia prior to 1 July 1972 in recognition of the harm and trauma caused.
In addition, the government will work in partnership with Aboriginal stakeholder organisations to support communications, scheme roll-out and planning for additional measures to assist the healing of this trauma for the Stolen Generations survivors.
The scheme is expected to open to registrations in the second half of 2025 with distribution of payments to commence in late 2025. Applicants will be eligible from 27 May 2025.
Anyone interested can register their contact details and subscribe for updates, and to be informed as to when the scheme is finalised and registrations open.
More details can be found at wa.gov.au/stolen-generations-redress-scheme
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
“I am pleased to announce that we are delivering a significant redress scheme for living members of the Stolen Generations in Western Australia.
“The WA Government has long acknowledged the historical injustices and their ongoing impact on the Stolen Generations, their families, and communities.
“The WA Stolen Generations Redress Scheme is a major step in the pursuit of reconciliation and healing.”
As stated by Attorney General Dr Tony Buti:
“This announcement is a recognition of the wrongs of the past.
“It marks a significant step in recognising members of Western Australia’s Stolen Generations by providing reparations for surviving members.
“We hope this support can contribute to healing for those impacted.”
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch:
“This government acknowledges the impacts of the Stolen Generations on descendants and their communities.
“We will continue to work at all levels to address the intergenerational trauma and cycles of disadvantage they have experienced, and we hope this scheme can contribute positively to that.”
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook Labor Government/Cook-Labor-Government-announces-support-scheme-for-WA