Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs regarding Ms. Betty Carrington's unsuccessful claim under the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme and requests a review of the scheme. The Minister acknowledges the claim but states there are no plans to extend or reopen the scheme.

AnsweredQoN 450Legislative Council
Asked
14 August 2013
Portfolio
Aboriginal Affairs

QuestionView source ↗

STOLEN
WAGES REPARATIONS SCHEME — BETTY CARRINGTON CLAIM
450. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
There are two
questions that are similar; this is headed C446. I refer to the Stolen Wages
Reparation Scheme WA.
(1) Is the minister
aware of the claim for stolen wages submitted by Ms Betty Carrington from
Warmun?
(2) Is the minister aware that Ms Carrington's
application was unsuccessful and that she is appealing the decision that
excluded her from the scheme on the grounds the WA government at the time in
question was responsible for the protection and therefore the discriminatory treatment
of Aboriginal people throughout the state regardless of where they lived?
(3) Is the
minister aware that Ms Carrington had a reasonable expectation that the stolen
wages scheme was the WA government's approach to making amends for
discriminatory treatment including unpaid station wages and that not to do so
would be considered yet another form of discrimination?
(4) Is the
minister aware that Ms Carrington has written to the government requesting a
review of the scheme, its terms of reference and criteria for inclusion via a
consultative process that fully involves Aboriginal people?
(5) If yes to (4), how does the government intend it will
respond to that request?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Yes.
(2) Yes. I am
aware that Ms Carrington's application was unsuccessful. However, the
Department of Aboriginal Affairs advises that Ms Carrington did not seek to
appeal the decision through the stolen wages decision review process, which is
now complete.
(3) No. The guidelines for the stolen wages scheme are
clearly stated in all relevant communications.
(4) Yes.
(5) There are no plans to extend or reopen the stolen wages
scheme.

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