Compensation huge step for stolen generations

The announcement of compensation for the stolen generations made by the Tasmanian Government today is a huge step forward according to the Director of USQ's Indigenous Centre.

Director of USQ's Kumbari Ngurpai Lag Indigenous Higher Education Centre, John Williams-Mozley, said he was heartened by the announcement.

'Like so many other members of the Stolen Generations, I am heartened by the announcement today by the Tasmanian Government to implement a compensation package in acknowledgment of the harms done to so many Aboriginal people under the name of 'assimilation',' Mr Williams-Mozley said.

'From what I understand, the model and process surrounding the compensation package are the same as that outlined in the recommendations of the 'Bringing Them Home' Report, published almost nine years ago.'

He said despite the nine years between the recommendations being handed down and the announcement by the Tasmanian Government it was still great news.

'Aboriginal people are generally patient and accept that without the support of non-Indigenous people, change is often a long time coming,' he said.

'Look how long it took for Torres Strait Islander people to finally see the results of their lengthy entanglement in the Australian legal system to get their traditional ownership recognised through the Mabo judgement.

'I am however, of a similar view to the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre's Legal Adviser, Michael Mansell, and believe that the announcement can lead to change across the rest of Australia.

'I would like to think that the Tasmanian Government's actions today are positive proof for other State and Territory governments being able to move past the specious arguments of John Howard concerning the Stolen Generations.

'And how they might look to finally provide some sense of justice to those whose identities, country and families were furtively or forcefully taken from them.

'I just hope that not too many more members of the Stolen Generations die before justice comes into their lives,' he said.

Mr Williams-Mozley's wife is a Tasmanian aborigine.

Media Contact: Fiona Taylor, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559 or +61 423 808 462