-----Original Message----- From: Webcentral <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Monday, August 14, 2000 8:26 AM Subject: [atsic] Media Release: Stolen Generations decision " heartbreaking" >Media Release 11 August >2000 > >Stolen Generations decision " heartbreaking" > >ATSIC Commissioner for Brisbane, Pat Thompson, says today's federal court >decision on the Stolen Generations is "heart-breaking." > >Commissioner Thompson says "there are almost no Aboriginal or Torres Strait >Islander families or communities in this country - who are not affected by >the policies which lead to the Stolen Generations. > >"Today's decision will be devastating for almost every indigenous community >and for almost every indigenous person in this country. > >"For us, it was the history of this country that was on trial today. > >"Today's decision will also go down in history - as a continuation of that >same history. > >"Because it means there is still no end, no final healing - no final >expiation - for generations of our people. For so many of our people. > >"If you think there was tremendous pain and suffering with that shocking >government submission saying there was "no stolen generation. > >"Well, today's decision - will usher in a new phenomenon in our communities >in this country. > >"The broken generations. > >"Because our hearts are broken. You have to try to understand this. > >"There is a dark , dark cloud, a deep, deep wound in the heart of Aboriginal >Australia, this afternoon. > >"Make no mistake this decision will be devastating to every member of the >Stolen Generations and their families. > > "And what that means is that the government will now have to respond to >this. > >"Not only to this decision per se, but it will also have to respond the >devastating effect this is going to have on Aboriginal and Torres Strait >islander people of this country. > >"Psychologically, emotionally, personally. > >"They no have no option now but to go back to what the "Bringing them Home" >report into the Stolen Generation - recommended in the first place. > >"A reparations tribunal. A tribunal that deals with the non - material means >to right the wrongs. > >"One that will finally deal humanely and compassionately with our families >and our experiences - with the history of this country and its treatment of >our people. > >'What is also now needed is an approach, a system which places the onus, or >burden of proof on governments - not with the victims." > >Commissioner Thompson said the estimated $10m spent by the Commonwealth on >the Cubillo- Gunner case would be far better spent for all concerned - if it >had gone to such a tribunal process, as recommended by the Stolen Generation >inquiry. > >Media Contact; Commissioner Thompson 0410418 336 > > > > ------------------------------------------------------ RecOzNet2 has a page @ http://www.green.net.au/recoznet2 and is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/ To unsubscribe from this list, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED], and in the body of the message, include the words: unsubscribe announce or click here mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20announce This posting is provided to the individual members of this group without permission from the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship and research under the "fair use" provisions of the Federal copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner, except for "fair use." RecOzNet2 is archived for members @ http://www.mail-archive.com/recoznet2%40paradigm4.com.au/
