New South Wales Minister for Aboriginal Affairs David Harris has moved to address the revelation of potential mass graves at the Kinchela Boys Home.
Within days of the Kinchela news breaking, an additional media investigation was announced declaring hundreds of unmarked graves at St Benedictines Monastery New Norcia, Western Australia (WA).
The Kinchela revelations prompted federal Minister Linda Burney to call for an investigation into the home, while experts suggested all Aboriginal missions and boarding homes involved in the Stolen Generations should be examined.
In NSW, Mr Harris said the state government is committed to working in partnership with Aboriginal communities and Stolen Generation Survivor Organisations, and promptly requested an urgent meeting with both Kinchela Boys' Home and the Kempsey Local Aboriginal Land Council to discuss the next steps.
National Indigenous Times understands meetings between all parties are taking place this week.
Minister Harris vowed to support the current investigations started under the previous NSW government and committed to moving forward with investigating and determining a resolution, whilst following appropriate cultural protocols.
"I have sought advice from the Attorney General due to the legal complexity in relation to the report findings and the Aboriginal Land Rights Act," he said.
"Importantly, we acknowledge the ongoing trauma caused by historic government policies and assimilation practices of removing Aboriginal children from their families, communities and culture."
The Minister said the current report was undertaken in consultation with affected Survivor Organisations and a part of the process will be the negotiated transfer of land to Stolen Generations organisations to develop a Keeping Place.
"Funding has been provided, and is available, through the Keeping Places Project. Further detailed investigations at the site will need to be trauma-informed and require expert advice."
In Western Australia, Guardian Australia reported that Abbot John Herbert, the head of the Benedictine monastery, said he would support ground-penetrating radar scans at New Norcia.
"If the government supported it, that would be a good idea. [GPR scans] might reveal some of these things that we don't know."
The Guardian also reported the Western Australian government, unlike their counterpart in NSW, declined to answer questions about whether they would commit funding to ground penetrating radar scans on former mission sites.
The WA government said it was committed to supporting and helping Aboriginal people uncover their history and heritage including strategies important to "truth-telling and healing as a foundation for improving the lives of Aboriginal West Australians".
National Indigenous Times has asked WA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Toni Buti for further comment.
Dr Buti previously worked with the Aboriginal Legal Service WA and during this time undertook interviews that contributed to the Bringing Them Home Report. Hearing the stories firsthand left him traumatised, he has previously stated.
