By the year 1935, every state of Australia had passed a law allowing the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and, "In 1937, The first Commonwealth/State conference on 'native welfare' adopts assimilation as the national policy." (SBS, 2017). The Act allowed the Government to control the education and maintenance of the “neglected and uncontrollable children (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children) and juvenile offenders” and relocate them to places like institutions (NSW Government, 1905, 1). When the European settlers arrived on Australian shores, the term "Terra Nullius", was a belief that was already well-etched into their minds. They disregarded the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as humans and this belief was also evident in the Stolen Generation when they failed to acknowledge the human rights of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The European’s strong influences of past beliefs and values led them to disregard the human rights of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander …show more content…
In relation to the Catholic Social Teachings of solidarity and dignity of the human person, the way in which the Stolen Generation members should be treated is clear. As dignity of the human person states, "No human being should have their dignity or freedom compromised." (Caritas Australia, 2017). Therefore, if the Aboriginals are treated fairly and their human rights prioritized, they will have freedom to live and heal as they wish. Similarly, solidarity says, "Everyone belongs to one human family, regardless of their national, religious, ethnic, economic, political and ideological differences." With all Australians working towards solidarity, the two cultures can come together as one. A further reference can be made to the Bible, when Peter says, "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8, International Standard Version). Therefore, through showing love to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, Australia can effectively heal the scars that remain in the members of the Stolen Generation. By looking at the Catholic Social Teachings and Scripture references, Australia can be guided in their treatment of the Indigenous Australians in order to reach