Nearly thirty years after the landmark inquiry into the Stolen Generations, a new report has revealed only a handful of its recommendations have been carried out. The peak body for survivors has warned time is running out to address their ongoing trauma.
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00:00After suffering almost a decade of mistreatment as a child in the notorious Kinchella boys' home,
00:08Michael Whitty Welsh hoped the 1997 landmark inquiry into the stolen generations would bring about meaningful change.
00:16Watching and hoping for the changes that would be coming from that there, it just didn't happen.
00:21But almost 30 years on from the Bringing Them Home inquiry,
00:24a new report has found only 5 out of 83 recommendations have been implemented.
00:30The peak body for survivors says governments and institutions are fast running out of time.
00:35The reality is we're losing survivors sadly at a rapid rate,
00:39and we really need to take this seriously and we can't wait any longer.
00:44The Healing Foundation has put forward 19 recommendations
00:47that include reparation schemes for survivors in Queensland and Western Australia,
00:52improving the redress schemes, apologies from all police and churches,
00:57family tracing and reunion services, and fair access to historical records.
01:02Now we continue to talk to the Aboriginal community and their advocates.
01:07Queensland's government said it's committed to delivering Indigenous health, housing and education.
01:12On the eve of the anniversary of the national apology,
01:15stolen generation survivors will be here in Canberra for their annual breakfast with the Prime Minister.
01:21Some, however, hope to hear more from the government than sorry.
01:24Uncle Whitty isn't sure if he'll see change in his lifetime.
01:28He hopes it might come for the next generation, who still carry the trauma from the past.
01:33It all brings me to tears when I think about it.
01:38I have children who suffer for the simple fact that there's a lack of understanding.
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