Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 1281

❓ A parliamentary question seeks to understand the basis for the $2,000 ex gratia payment under the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme in Western Australia, including the role of the Stolen Wages Taskforce and Cabinet deliberations. The answer clarifies the payment was an acknowledgement, not a repayment, and that Cabinet made the final decision.

AnsweredQoN 1281Legislative Council

Asked

17 June 2014

Member

Hon Robin Chapple

Portfolio

Aboriginal Affairs

QuestionView source ↗

With regard to the amount paid to recipients of the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme Western Australia, I ask: (a) on what basis did the Minister determine that $2,000 should be the total sum of an ex gratia payment made to an eligible applicant; (b) were there any other sums of money considered or discussed as suitable ex gratia payments: (i) if yes to (b), what were they; and (c) did the Stolen Wages Taskforce recommend the amount to be paid: (i) if yes to (c), where was this recommendation recorded; (ii) will the Minister table the relevant documents; (iii) if no to (c)(ii), why not; and (iv) if no to (c), who did make the recommendation and on whose authority?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

12 August 2014

Responded by

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs

Response time

56 days

(a) The State Government's response to the issue of stolen wages was largely based on advice from the Stolen Wages Taskforce which acknowledged that the lack of surviving records and the passage of time meant that it was not possible for the Western Australian Government to identify and repay the actual amount of monies that were withheld. The $2,000 ex-gratia payment offered was not an attempt to repay wages that were withheld, but rather an acknowledgement that the practice of stolen wages did occur.
(b) Cabinet deliberations are confidential.
(c) No.
(i) - (iii) Not applicable.
(iv) Cabinet approved the amount of the ex-gratia payment on 12 December 2011.

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