Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has warned of the potential for a second Stolen Generation as the numbers of indigenous children in out-of-home care continue to increase.
Monday marked nine years since Mr Rudd’s national apology to the Stolen Generation. In an address to the Australian National University, he raised concerns about the sheer numbers of indigenous children being removed from their families.
In 2006, 6497 Aboriginal children were in out-of-home care nationally.
By mid-2015 the number had grown to 15,432.
‘We do not want another generation of young Aboriginal children unnecessarily separated from their culture,’ Mr Rudd said.
‘We do not want to see the emergence of a second Stolen Generation, not by design, but by default’.
Mr Rudd is worried some removals are not carried out on the basis of last resort, as stipulated by a child placement principle.
The principle also states that authorities should consult with a community Aboriginal welfare organisation and if removal is necessary extended family is the best option or within the Aboriginal community.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is set to hand down the Closing the Gap report to parliament today (Tuesday).
It is the annual report card on efforts to improve indigenous life expectancy, health, employment and education prospects.
Mr Rudd believes there’s scope to add a new target to address child placements.
‘Let’s see 100 per cent of indigenous kids placed within their wider family or indigenous community,’ he said.
Mr Rudd also announced he’s donating another $100,000 to the National Apology Foundation.
