❓ A WA parliamentary question probes the government's limited adoption of recommendations from the Stolen Wages Taskforce report, specifically regarding a formal apology, constitutional recognition, community support, and historical programs. The government defends its actions by stating that many recommendations fell outside the scope of stolen wages and highlights current investments in Aboriginal affairs.
AnsweredQoN 1110Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to the Stolen Wages Taskforce report Reconciling the Past: Government control of Aboriginal monies in Western Australia, 1905-1972 published in 2008, I ask: (a) given that the Minister's standard reply to questions regarding the scheme is 'the State Government's response to the issue of stolen wages was largely based on advice from the Stolen Wages Taskforce', why is it that only one of the taskforce's policy options and recommendations 'establish a scheme for an ex-gratia 'Common experience payment' to those still living ...' has been adopted and acted upon by the Minister; (b) will the Minister act on policy recommendation 10.2.1 and make a formal acknowledgement in the Western Australian Parliament through a ministerial statement that includes a formal apology for the impacts of Government controls over Aboriginal people, as well as other parts of this recommendation: (i) if yes to (b), when will the Minister do this; and (ii) if no to (b), why not; (c) will the Minister act on the other recommendations of the taskforce, such as constitutional recognition of Aboriginal people in the State's Constitution, formal recognition through a policy of 'Welcome to Country' for all events of public significance, community recognition through projects such as funds for memorials, and public recognition through encouraging the use of the Aboriginal flag on Government and other buildings: (i) if yes to (c), which of these will the Minister act on and when will this take place; and (ii) if no to (c), why not; (d) will the Government establish a community experience fund to encourage economic development, to acknowledge the broader impact of lost economic opportunity for those who are now deceased and whose money was controlled: (i) if yes to (d), when will the fund be established and who will have oversight of it; and (ii) if no to (d), why not; (e) will the Government establish an oral history program, as recommended by the taskforce: (i) if yes to (e), when will this take place; and (ii) if no to (e), why not; (f) will the Government establish a program of community healing and therapeutic services aimed at dealing with the effects of past Government controls as recommended by the taskforce: (i) if yes to (f), when with this take place; and (ii) if no to (f), why not; (g) will the Government establish an Aboriginal history service, as recommended by the taskforce: (i) if yes to (g), when will this take place; and (ii) if no to (g), why not; and (h) will the Government establish a program to train Aboriginal archivists, as recommended by the taskforce: (i) if yes to (h), when will this occur; and (ii) if no to (h), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 June 2014
Responded by
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Response time
42 days
(a) The Stolen Wages Taskforce report made recommendations in four areas: the recognition of Aboriginal people in society; reconciling past income controls; resolving past experiences; and administration of policy initiatives. Some of the recommendations were very broad and as a result, not all were accepted as they were not considered to relate directly to the issue of stolen wages.
(b-h) The State Government will not be adopting the other recommendations of the Stolen Wages Taskforce report that fall outside of the scope of stolen wages.
The State Government currently invests heavily in measures to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people. The Productivity Commission's 2012 Indigenous Expenditure Report identified that in 2010-11, the State Government provided $2.33 billion in Aboriginal expenditure. These investments are, to a large degree, based on recognition that the disadvantage experienced by many Aboriginal people is a result of discriminatory legislation and policy that existed during the period 1905 to 1972.
Recent work undertaken by the State Government in these areas, include:
· the repeal of Part IV of the
Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act 1972
to achieve parity for Aboriginal people in the administration of deceased estates;
· the development of the Aboriginal Business Directory to help increase the capacity of Aboriginal businesses to secure contracts in Western Australia. The Directory currently has approximately 190 Aboriginal businesses listed from a variety of sectors throughout Western Australia;
· the development of the Aboriginal Economic Participation Strategy which aims to increase the potential of Aboriginal people to participate fully in the State's economy and to ensure Aboriginal people have the same opportunities in life as non-Aboriginal people. As at June 2013, the representation of Aboriginal Australians employed in public sector agencies was three per cent. Future initiatives are planned for 2014-15 in order to meet a target of 3.2 per cent;
· Western Australia is the lead jurisdiction in the nation for the number of Reconciliation Action Plans endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. There are currently 53 State Government agencies, eight WA local governments, three tertiary institutions, two peak organisations and two community organisations with Reconciliation Action Plans in Western Australia;
· the Department of Aboriginal Affairs' Aboriginal History Research Unit provides research material and access to restricted State records for use in Native Title Applications for government agencies and Native Title Representative Bodies; and
· the establishment of the Aboriginal Affairs Cabinet Sub-committee to set policy directions and ensure coordination across Government in Aboriginal affairs, including through policy and reform setting and improving coordination and the effectiveness of Government investment.
(b-h) The State Government will not be adopting the other recommendations of the Stolen Wages Taskforce report that fall outside of the scope of stolen wages.
The State Government currently invests heavily in measures to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people. The Productivity Commission's 2012 Indigenous Expenditure Report identified that in 2010-11, the State Government provided $2.33 billion in Aboriginal expenditure. These investments are, to a large degree, based on recognition that the disadvantage experienced by many Aboriginal people is a result of discriminatory legislation and policy that existed during the period 1905 to 1972.
Recent work undertaken by the State Government in these areas, include:
· the repeal of Part IV of the
Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act 1972
to achieve parity for Aboriginal people in the administration of deceased estates;
· the development of the Aboriginal Business Directory to help increase the capacity of Aboriginal businesses to secure contracts in Western Australia. The Directory currently has approximately 190 Aboriginal businesses listed from a variety of sectors throughout Western Australia;
· the development of the Aboriginal Economic Participation Strategy which aims to increase the potential of Aboriginal people to participate fully in the State's economy and to ensure Aboriginal people have the same opportunities in life as non-Aboriginal people. As at June 2013, the representation of Aboriginal Australians employed in public sector agencies was three per cent. Future initiatives are planned for 2014-15 in order to meet a target of 3.2 per cent;
· Western Australia is the lead jurisdiction in the nation for the number of Reconciliation Action Plans endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. There are currently 53 State Government agencies, eight WA local governments, three tertiary institutions, two peak organisations and two community organisations with Reconciliation Action Plans in Western Australia;
· the Department of Aboriginal Affairs' Aboriginal History Research Unit provides research material and access to restricted State records for use in Native Title Applications for government agencies and Native Title Representative Bodies; and
· the establishment of the Aboriginal Affairs Cabinet Sub-committee to set policy directions and ensure coordination across Government in Aboriginal affairs, including through policy and reform setting and improving coordination and the effectiveness of Government investment.
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