During the 1880s-1970s, aboriginal children all over Australia were taken from their families, their communities and their culture by officials just doing their jobs. The devastation that these "Stolen Generations" placed upon the Australian Aboriginal community is damage that was only surpassed by the massacres that took place as the Europeans made their way out of Sydney Cove.

Join Holly and Matthew as they examine the legislation and the reasoning that made this dark part of Australia's history a slice that every Australian recognises.


Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod
"Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod
Used under a Creative Commons license.

Sources cited:
Commonwealth of Australia. 1997. National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families. Inquiry, Sydney: Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. Accessed May 9, 2021. https://humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/content/pdf/social_justice/bringing_them_home_report.pdf.

1869. “Aboriginal Protection Act.” Victoria. Accessed May 9, 2021. https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/resources/transcripts/vic7i_doc_1869.pdf.

1897. “Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Bill.” Queensland. Accessed May 9, 2021. https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/resources/transcripts/qld5_doc_1897.pdf.

1886. “Aborigines Protection Act.” Western Australia. Accessed May 9, 2021. https://aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/catalogue_resources/52769.pdf.

Bates, Daisy. 1938. The Passing of the Aborigines. Sydney.

Daley, Paul. 2018. The Apology 10 years on. 13 February. Accessed May 9, 2021. https://www.moadoph.gov.au/blog/the-apology-10-years-on/#.

1999. “Motion to Parliament.” 26 August. Accessed May 9, 2021. https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=(Id:media/pressrel/23e06);rec=0;.

2003. International Review of Indigenous issues in 2000: Australia. Inquiry, Canberra: Australian Human Rights Commission. Accessed May 9, 2021. https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/international-review-indigenous-issues-2000-australia.

Wilson, Ronald, interview by Tom Morton. 2000. Background Briefing ABC National. 2 July. Accessed May 9, 2021. https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/stolen-generations/3468990.

1948. “Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.” United Nations, 9 December. Accessed May 9, 2021. https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/documents/atrocity-crimes/Doc.1_Convention%20on%20the%20Prevention%20and%20Punishment%20of%20the%20Crime%20of%20Genocide.pdf.

Manne, Robert. 2008. “Sorry Business.” The Monthly, March. Accessed May 9, 2021. https://www.themonthly.com.au/monthly-essays-robert-manne-sorry-business-road-apology-823#mtr.

Rudd, Kevin. 2008. “Apology to Australia's Indigenous peoples.” 13 February. Accessed May 9, 2021. https://info.australia.gov.au/about-australia/our-country/our-people/apology-to-australias-indigenous-peoples.