More support for survivors on anniversary of apology

By ANDREW BROWN

Survivors of the Stolen Generations will be able to access $87 million in support services, as the 18th anniversary of the national apology is marked.

Today will mark the 18th anniversary of former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd delivering the apology  in parliament.

Survivors will be able to access $87 million of support services over the next four years, which will include family tracing and reunification efforts.

The funds will also go towards access to redress schemes and health services.

Then prime minister Kevin Rudd delivered his historic apology to the stolen generations in 2008. (Alan Porritt/AAP PHOTOS)

Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said survivors of the Stolen Generations needed to have continual meaningful support.

“Past government policies caused immeasurable harm to Stolen Generations survivors and their families,” she said.

“Sadly, for many of our people, the distress and hurt continues today. This is why understanding and supporting the needs of the Stolen Generations is so important.”

Call for action

The anniversary of the apology was marked with a commemorative breakfast at parliament house, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese giving an address.

Mr Albanese said the apology was an important step forward, but not the end of action.

“The apology didn’t just look to the past – it was a call to action for the future. A call that was, at its heart, deeply patriotic, true to our abiding instincts for better, fairer, stronger Australia,” he will say.

Malarndirri McCarthy says survivors of the Stolen Generations need continuing meaningful support. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

“Saying sorry was never intended as the final word, but as the beginning of a bigger, brighter story, a story in which we keep working to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians until that gap belongs to history.”

The anniversary comes a day after the prime minister gave his annual statement on Closing the Gap outcomes, which found just four of the 19 targets were on track to met by 2031.

“We cannot close our eyes to the reality that there are areas where progress has stalled. It is starkly clear that we have no room for complacency,” Mr Albanese will say.

“We continue our efforts. We continue what’s working, and we work out solutions for what doesn’t.”

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AAP