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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-02-20 Daily Xml
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STOLEN GENERATIONS

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:07): I have a supplementary question. The minister will also be aware that the former prime minister added that unless these words are accompanied by deeds it will be remembered in history as no more than a clashing gong. When will we see the deed of stolen generations reparations introduced by the Weatherill government?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:08): Confronting our past and acknowledging and dealing with shameful elements of our state's history are incredibly important. It is only through acknowledgement that there can be healing. I am grateful that South Australia has played a part in this process and that South Australia was one of the first jurisdictions to issue an apology to the stolen generations.

The honourable member inquires as to what we are doing to address the ongoing disadvantage faced by the families and communities who were deeply damaged by past policies of false removal. Let me answer by saying that we are doing a number of things, including attempting to right some of the wrongs of the past by amending the South Australian Constitution Act 1934 (which will be with us shortly) to include formal recognition of Aboriginal peoples. The planned amendments to the constitution are a real and powerful demonstration of the parliament's commitment to healing and reconciliation, and I look forward to members here speaking to the bill in the not-too-distant future.

This government also provides funding to the Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia to provide for the operation of the South Australian Link-Up Program which seeks to assist Aboriginal people and families with reunification by way of tracing family members, assisting with reunions, provision of support groups and access to Bringing Them Home counselling.

With regard to whether financial compensation should be made available beyond the civil jurisdiction of the courts, I understand that the Aboriginal Lands Parliamentary Standing Committee has been considering a bill on the matter and I look forward to being briefed at a committee meeting in the near future on this issue.

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