Warren Snowdon (Lingiari, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for External Territories) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today we celebrate the 11th anniversary of the historic apology to the stolen generations made in this place 11 years ago. Those of us who were here will forever remember that day and its importance in our history in acknowledging what we have done as a nation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families over many generations. Sadly, it came so late. But it was made here, and I had the privilege of being in this chamber when members of the stolen generations sat on the floor and observed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd give that historic national apology.

But things are yet to be done. There is still unfinished business. And, as a result, it's very clear that we need to establish, as we in the Labor Party are committed to doing here, a compensation scheme for survivors of the stolen generations in Commonwealth jurisdictions. This scheme will recognise and respond to the legacy of pain and trauma that the stolen generations and their families continue to experience today. The compensation scheme will be accessible to surviving members of the stolen generations in Commonwealth jurisdictions—the Northern Territory, the ACT and Jervis Bay. We will also provide money for the national Healing Foundation to fund healing support for the stolen generations and their families, in recognition of the intergenerational effects of forced removal.