CANBERRA – The Australian Government has commemorated the 29th anniversary of the Bringing Them Home Report with a brief statement acknowledging the document’s “enduring significance” and absolutely no update on the recommendations it still hasn’t implemented.
The 1997 report documented the devastating impact of government policies that separated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. It made dozens of recommendations. Some were acted on. Many were not. The report’s anniversary falls on the same day as Easter Sunday this year which officials noted was “a nice coincidence” for scheduling purposes.
“We remain deeply committed to the healing process” a spokesperson from the Department of Social Services said. “And to honouring the legacy of the Stolen Generations through a range of ongoing initiatives and frameworks.”
When asked to name a specific initiative the spokesperson said they would “take that on notice.”
Meanwhile the government’s Closing the Gap target for digital inclusion is due this year. Target 17 aims for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have equal levels of digital access as other Australians by 2026. In remote communities where phone reception is limited and the nearest NBN connection is a four-hour drive this is considered ambitious.
“We’re confident progress is being made” an official from the National Indigenous Australians Agency said. “Though we would note that measuring digital inclusion in areas without reliable internet does present certain methodological challenges.”
The government has confirmed it will release a reflection paper on the anniversary in coming weeks – pending consultation.
Twenty-nine years of recommendations. Still pending.
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