❓ Hon Robin Chapple asks the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs to directly address questions regarding the government's role in permitting wage theft from Aboriginal employees, after deeming the previous response insufficient. The Minister refers to the Stolen Wages Taskforce Report.
AnsweredQoN 1412Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Regarding the response by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs on 17 June 2014 to question on notice No. 1119,
that relates to an application under the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme Western Australia by Mr Gordon Barney of Warmun Aboriginal Corporation, I ask: (a) as the Minister’s response to part (b) referred to the scope of the Stolen Wages Taskforce and the scope of the Government’s Stolen Wages Scheme but did not address the question, namely 'what role did the Government of the day play in permitting station managers to withhold wages from Aboriginal employees': (i) is it the case that the Minister declines to answer this question; and (ii) if the Minister is willing to answer the question, will the Minister now do so; and (b) as parts (c) and (d) were general questions which were not framed in terms of the scope of the Stolen Wages Taskforce: (i) is it the case that the Minister declines to answer these questions; and (ii) if the Minister is willing to answer the questions, will the Minster now do so?
that relates to an application under the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme Western Australia by Mr Gordon Barney of Warmun Aboriginal Corporation, I ask: (a) as the Minister’s response to part (b) referred to the scope of the Stolen Wages Taskforce and the scope of the Government’s Stolen Wages Scheme but did not address the question, namely 'what role did the Government of the day play in permitting station managers to withhold wages from Aboriginal employees': (i) is it the case that the Minister declines to answer this question; and (ii) if the Minister is willing to answer the question, will the Minister now do so; and (b) as parts (c) and (d) were general questions which were not framed in terms of the scope of the Stolen Wages Taskforce: (i) is it the case that the Minister declines to answer these questions; and (ii) if the Minister is willing to answer the questions, will the Minster now do so?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 September 2014
Responded by
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Response time
35 days
(a) (i) (ii) The Stolen Wages Report provides a comprehensive analysis of the practice of Government control over the wages, savings and entitlements and other monies of Aboriginal people that applied across Western Australia. The Stolen Wages Taskforce undertook 11 case studies to build a picture of the implementation of policies and practices of Government between 1905 and 1972. For further information and analysis regarding these matters I refer you to the Stolen Wages Taskforce Report which is publicly available.
(b) (i) (ii) The State Government invests heavily in measures to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people, 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.
(b) (i) (ii) The State Government invests heavily in measures to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people, 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.
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