Stolen generations 'need healing fund'

(AAP) - The federal government should establish a "healing fund" to pay for services to members of the stolen generations, a Senate committee has recommended.

But the Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee has stopped short of endorsing
financial compensation, still sought by many members of the stolen generations.

The Rudd government in February delivered a long-awaited national apology to the
stolen generations, but has ruled out financially compensating victims.

The committee on Monday recommended the Senate reject a bill introduced by
Australian Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett which aims to set up a compensation fund.

But it also recommended the government establish a national healing fund to provide
health, housing, ageing, funding for funerals and other family support services for
members of the stolen generations.

"The committee recommends that the national indigenous healing fund be incorporated
within the 'closing the gap' initiative as an additional and discrete element of
focus and funding," the report says.

Labor Senator Trish Crossin, who chairs the committee, conceded most people who gave
evidence to the inquiry believed financial compensation was the "next step" after
the apology.

"We actually believe that this (healing fund) would be a way in which a more
holistic, broader approach to the issues of reparations can be dealt with within
this country," Senator Crossin told the Senate after tabling the report.

The committee, made up of four Labor senators, three Liberals and Senator Bartlett,
said the issue of reparations must be addressed urgently.
"This is particularly important since, as the committee heard repeatedly during the
course of the inquiry, many members of the stolen generation are now elderly - to
put it bluntly, time is running out to recompense them," the report says.

Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation national director Gary Highland said
the recommendations fall short of what is needed to deliver justice to the stolen
generations.

It appeared the Labor committee members were unwilling to contradict Mr Rudd's
public statements ruling out compensation, Mr Highland said.
"The committee's recommendations reflect the views of the government, rather than
the bulk of evidence presented to its inquiry," Mr Highland said.
"The lack of a compensation scheme will only add to the suffering of these people by
forcing them to pursue lengthy and traumatic court proceedings to seek justice."

The Australian Greens promised to continue to pursue legislation to put a compensation scheme in place.