Prime Minister Kevin Rudd did a great thing for the nation 10 years ago when he said sorry to the Stolen Generations, but more is now needed, Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, said today.
Ms King said the practices in place which led to the Stolen Generations were unjust, cruel and wrong.
“Saying sorry was the absolutely right thing to do,” Ms King said.
“But the right thing to do now is to establish a Stolen Generations Compensation Fund and that is what Labor is committed to doing.
“I know from members of the Stolen Generations that this was never about the money.
“But the nation has a responsibility to practically recognise the damage done and to compensate for the serious injustices carried out in our name.
“That’s why Labor will provide $10 million in funding for the Healing Foundation to help descendants – because we know that the trauma of forced removal lasts through generations.”
Ms King said Labor will also establish and convene a National Summit on First Nations Children to ensure there is not another generation of Aboriginal kids growing up in out-of-home care away from country and culture and connection.
“The apology was a wonderful moment for our nation and one of the most significant moments in my Parliamentary experience,” Ms King said.
“But we must go further now and develop a practical response and that is what Labor is proposing.
“We need to make sure that the next generation of Aboriginal kids grow up with a better deal than their parents and grandparents had.”