Child removal rate similar to Stolen Generations

A Queensland Government report shows Aboriginal children are being removed from their families at a rate similar to the Stolen Generations of the 1920s.

The figures provided by the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Partnership reveal 669 children were in state care during the last financial year as compared to the 700 children forcibly removed from their parents last century.

Partnership director Donna Klein says the Government could face many future compensation cases from displaced Aboriginals.

"We currently have a system that's over-burdened, is unable to cope. There's an increasing number of children entering the system and only services for Aboriginal children and their families, it's always a crisis response," she said.

"A more targeted and focused response is required for our sector to assist those families to live on their responsibilities to their children, but currently our services are only involved at that statutory end."

But she says in some cases removal is necessary.

"What kids really want is a system that supports them and stops them being from being removed from their families," she said.

"A system where we can care, particularly when proper supports are available for families to care for their children in the home or within their own family groupings or within their own communities.... and we don't debate that any child who is at risk must be removed. I mean we support that wholeheartedly."

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