Tasmanians - Government Compensation For "Stolen Generations"

Government Compensation For "Stolen Generations"

On 13 August 1997 a Statement of Apology (specific to removal of children) was issued - which was unanimously supported by the Tasmanian Parliament - the wording of the sentence was

That this house, on behalf of all Tasmanian(s)... expresses its deep and sincere regret at the hurt and distress caused by past policies under which Aboriginal children were removed from their families and homes; apologises to the Aboriginal people for those past actions and reaffirms its support for reconciliation between all Australians.

There are many people currently working in the community, academia, various levels of government and NGOs to strengthen what has been termed as the Tasmanian Aboriginal culture and the conditions of those who identify as members of the descendant community.

In November 2006 Tasmania became the first Australian state or territory to offer financial compensation for the Stolen Generations, Aboriginal people forcibly removed from their families by Australian government agencies and church missions between about 1900 and 1972. Up to 40 Aboriginal Tasmanians' descendants are expected to be eligible for compensation from the $5 million package.

Read more about this topic:  Tasmanians

Famous quotes containing the words government, compensation, stolen and/or generations:

    Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves are its only safe depositories.
    Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)

    In compensation for considerable disgust, despondency, and boredom—such as living in solitude without friends, books, duties, or passions necessarily entails—we are given those quarter-hours of deepest communion with ourselves and nature. Those who completely barricade themselves from boredom, barricade themselves from themselves as well: they will never get to drink the most refreshingly potent draught from the their own innermost fountain.
    Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)

    You lovers of knowledge! So what have you done out of your love of knowledge up to now? Have you already stolen and murdered so as to know how a thief and a murderer feels?
    Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)

    The treasures of Cathay were never found.
    In this America, this wilderness
    Where the axe echoes with a lonely sound,
    The generations labor to possess
    And grave by grave we civilize the ground.
    Louis Simpson (b. 1923)