Indigenous leaders have welcomed a proposal by the re-elected premier of Tasmania, Paul Lennon, to move the reconciliation process forward.
The manager of the Tasmania Aboriginal Centre, Michael Mansell, says plans to address what the premier describes as the dark history of the island state may encourage other state governments to make similar promises.
Following his overwhelming victory in the weekend polls, Mr Lennon announced that he plans to put Aboriginal issues at the top of his agenda.
He says this could include financial compensation for members of the stolen generations.
"What happened here in our early European history was a disgraceful episode in Australian history and something that needs to be put to rest once and for all.
"The wrongs to the Aboriginal people I believe continued on well into the 20th century, the stolen generations is the most vivid example of that.
"It's not, I think, in itself going to resolve all the issues of Aboriginal reconciliation, but it's certainly a major step forward."