SA stolen generation compo scheme closer

Members of the stolen generation could be compensated without going through the courts under a bill passed by South Australia's upper house.

The bill, put forward by Liberal MLC Terry Stephens and supported by crossbenchers, would provide eligible members of the stolen generation with ex-gratia payments of up to $50,000.

It's believed about 300 Aboriginal people would be eligible for the payments.

Mr Stephens said the proposed bill would make SA the first mainland state to develop a formal compensation scheme.

"This legislation is an important and significant component of ongoing reconciliation with Aboriginal people in South Australia," he said.

"Addressing the wrongs of the past will allow South Australia to move forward."

Mr Stephens criticised the Labor government for refusing to back the proposed changes, claiming that no government MLCs had attended a briefing on the legislation.

The bill will go before the lower house in the new year.

Labor MLC Tung Ngo said it wasn't clear how the uncapped scheme would be funded and there had been insufficient consultation on the bill.