❓ A WA parliamentary question probes the government's response to the Senate report on Indigenous stolen wages, focusing on compensation, archival access, and financial accountability. The government's response outlines the establishment of a taskforce to examine the issue and consult with Indigenous communities.
AnsweredQoN 4750Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Regarding the Report of the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs entitled ‘Unfinished Business: Indigenous Stolen Wages’, tabled in December 2006, I ask -
(1) Will the Minister provide a public response to the report and each of its recommendations?
(2) If yes to (1), when will the public response be provided?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
(4) Will the Minister consult Indigenous people in Western Australia, on the report’s recommendations, in particular the recommendation that the Western Australian Government establish a compensation scheme?
(5) If yes to (4), what form of consultation will the Minister undertake?
(6) If no to (4), why not?
(7) Given the findings of the report into the importance of archival records, and the evidence of the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia concerning their difficultly in accessing relevant records, will the Minister facilitate unhindered access to their archives for Indigenous people and their representatives to research stolen wages issues?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) Given the findings of the report into the importance of archival records and the need for further urgent historical research in Western Australia, will the Minister facilitate access to the records for the purposes of research into stolen wages issues and substantially increase resources for the management of these records?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) Given the evidence presented to the Committee of the lack of effective scrutiny of the Government’s management of individual trust accounts, and of the destruction of records in Western Australia, will the Government -
(a) index and locate records of financial controls that were exercised over Indigenous people in Western Australia; and
(b) conduct a forensic audit into the mismanagement of Indigenous trust accounts and maladministration of Commonwealth benefits for Indigenous people?
(12) Given the urgency of investigating the issues raised in the report due to the ageing of many of the Indigenous people directly affected, will the Government fund and facilitate the gathering of personal testimony and oral history in relation to Indigenous stolen wages?
(1) Will the Minister provide a public response to the report and each of its recommendations?
(2) If yes to (1), when will the public response be provided?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
(4) Will the Minister consult Indigenous people in Western Australia, on the report’s recommendations, in particular the recommendation that the Western Australian Government establish a compensation scheme?
(5) If yes to (4), what form of consultation will the Minister undertake?
(6) If no to (4), why not?
(7) Given the findings of the report into the importance of archival records, and the evidence of the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia concerning their difficultly in accessing relevant records, will the Minister facilitate unhindered access to their archives for Indigenous people and their representatives to research stolen wages issues?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) Given the findings of the report into the importance of archival records and the need for further urgent historical research in Western Australia, will the Minister facilitate access to the records for the purposes of research into stolen wages issues and substantially increase resources for the management of these records?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) Given the evidence presented to the Committee of the lack of effective scrutiny of the Government’s management of individual trust accounts, and of the destruction of records in Western Australia, will the Government -
(a) index and locate records of financial controls that were exercised over Indigenous people in Western Australia; and
(b) conduct a forensic audit into the mismanagement of Indigenous trust accounts and maladministration of Commonwealth benefits for Indigenous people?
(12) Given the urgency of investigating the issues raised in the report due to the ageing of many of the Indigenous people directly affected, will the Government fund and facilitate the gathering of personal testimony and oral history in relation to Indigenous stolen wages?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
5 June 2007
Responded by
Minister for Local Government representing the Minister for Indigenous Affairs
Response time
35 days
(b) conduct a forensic audit into the mismanagement of Indigenous trust accounts and maladministration of Commonwealth benefits for Indigenous people?
(2) Not applicable. (3) The Government has established a taskforce, which includes representatives from the Departments of Indigenous Affairs; Communities; the Premier and Cabinet; Treasury and Finance; and Culture and the Arts, that is examining and preparing advice on future stolen wages policy options. (4) The taskforce will undertake consultation with Indigenous people, communities and organisations. (5) The form of consultation is yet to be formulated, but is expected to include meetings with key Indigenous organisations, community meetings, written submissions and opportunities to consider individual case studies. Consultations will also occur with non-government sector bodies and organisations that may have had some connection or involvement in the stolen wages issue. (6) Not applicable. (7) to (8) The Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) allows access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. It offered the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) access to archival records, however, there were conditions related to confidentiality and privacy to which the ALS would not agree. The ALS has now received edited copies of the requested archival records, with all personal information removed, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1992 . (9) The DIA will continue to allow access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. Cabinet has authorised funds to assist the taskforce with information management of archival records. (10) Not applicable. (11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
(3) The Government has established a taskforce, which includes representatives from the Departments of Indigenous Affairs; Communities; the Premier and Cabinet; Treasury and Finance; and Culture and the Arts, that is examining and preparing advice on future stolen wages policy options. (4) The taskforce will undertake consultation with Indigenous people, communities and organisations. (5) The form of consultation is yet to be formulated, but is expected to include meetings with key Indigenous organisations, community meetings, written submissions and opportunities to consider individual case studies. Consultations will also occur with non-government sector bodies and organisations that may have had some connection or involvement in the stolen wages issue. (6) Not applicable. (7) to (8) The Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) allows access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. It offered the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) access to archival records, however, there were conditions related to confidentiality and privacy to which the ALS would not agree. The ALS has now received edited copies of the requested archival records, with all personal information removed, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1992 . (9) The DIA will continue to allow access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. Cabinet has authorised funds to assist the taskforce with information management of archival records. (10) Not applicable. (11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
(4) The taskforce will undertake consultation with Indigenous people, communities and organisations. (5) The form of consultation is yet to be formulated, but is expected to include meetings with key Indigenous organisations, community meetings, written submissions and opportunities to consider individual case studies. Consultations will also occur with non-government sector bodies and organisations that may have had some connection or involvement in the stolen wages issue. (6) Not applicable. (7) to (8) The Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) allows access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. It offered the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) access to archival records, however, there were conditions related to confidentiality and privacy to which the ALS would not agree. The ALS has now received edited copies of the requested archival records, with all personal information removed, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1992 . (9) The DIA will continue to allow access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. Cabinet has authorised funds to assist the taskforce with information management of archival records. (10) Not applicable. (11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
(5) The form of consultation is yet to be formulated, but is expected to include meetings with key Indigenous organisations, community meetings, written submissions and opportunities to consider individual case studies. Consultations will also occur with non-government sector bodies and organisations that may have had some connection or involvement in the stolen wages issue. (6) Not applicable. (7) to (8) The Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) allows access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. It offered the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) access to archival records, however, there were conditions related to confidentiality and privacy to which the ALS would not agree. The ALS has now received edited copies of the requested archival records, with all personal information removed, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1992 . (9) The DIA will continue to allow access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. Cabinet has authorised funds to assist the taskforce with information management of archival records. (10) Not applicable. (11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
(6) Not applicable. (7) to (8) The Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) allows access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. It offered the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) access to archival records, however, there were conditions related to confidentiality and privacy to which the ALS would not agree. The ALS has now received edited copies of the requested archival records, with all personal information removed, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1992 . (9) The DIA will continue to allow access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. Cabinet has authorised funds to assist the taskforce with information management of archival records. (10) Not applicable. (11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
(7) to (8) The Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) allows access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. It offered the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) access to archival records, however, there were conditions related to confidentiality and privacy to which the ALS would not agree. The ALS has now received edited copies of the requested archival records, with all personal information removed, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1992 . (9) The DIA will continue to allow access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. Cabinet has authorised funds to assist the taskforce with information management of archival records. (10) Not applicable. (11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
The ALS has now received edited copies of the requested archival records, with all personal information removed, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1992 . (9) The DIA will continue to allow access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. Cabinet has authorised funds to assist the taskforce with information management of archival records. (10) Not applicable. (11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
(9) The DIA will continue to allow access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. Cabinet has authorised funds to assist the taskforce with information management of archival records. (10) Not applicable. (11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
(10) Not applicable. (11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
(11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
(12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
(2) Not applicable. (3) The Government has established a taskforce, which includes representatives from the Departments of Indigenous Affairs; Communities; the Premier and Cabinet; Treasury and Finance; and Culture and the Arts, that is examining and preparing advice on future stolen wages policy options. (4) The taskforce will undertake consultation with Indigenous people, communities and organisations. (5) The form of consultation is yet to be formulated, but is expected to include meetings with key Indigenous organisations, community meetings, written submissions and opportunities to consider individual case studies. Consultations will also occur with non-government sector bodies and organisations that may have had some connection or involvement in the stolen wages issue. (6) Not applicable. (7) to (8) The Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) allows access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. It offered the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) access to archival records, however, there were conditions related to confidentiality and privacy to which the ALS would not agree. The ALS has now received edited copies of the requested archival records, with all personal information removed, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1992 . (9) The DIA will continue to allow access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. Cabinet has authorised funds to assist the taskforce with information management of archival records. (10) Not applicable. (11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
(3) The Government has established a taskforce, which includes representatives from the Departments of Indigenous Affairs; Communities; the Premier and Cabinet; Treasury and Finance; and Culture and the Arts, that is examining and preparing advice on future stolen wages policy options. (4) The taskforce will undertake consultation with Indigenous people, communities and organisations. (5) The form of consultation is yet to be formulated, but is expected to include meetings with key Indigenous organisations, community meetings, written submissions and opportunities to consider individual case studies. Consultations will also occur with non-government sector bodies and organisations that may have had some connection or involvement in the stolen wages issue. (6) Not applicable. (7) to (8) The Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) allows access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. It offered the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) access to archival records, however, there were conditions related to confidentiality and privacy to which the ALS would not agree. The ALS has now received edited copies of the requested archival records, with all personal information removed, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1992 . (9) The DIA will continue to allow access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. Cabinet has authorised funds to assist the taskforce with information management of archival records. (10) Not applicable. (11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
(4) The taskforce will undertake consultation with Indigenous people, communities and organisations. (5) The form of consultation is yet to be formulated, but is expected to include meetings with key Indigenous organisations, community meetings, written submissions and opportunities to consider individual case studies. Consultations will also occur with non-government sector bodies and organisations that may have had some connection or involvement in the stolen wages issue. (6) Not applicable. (7) to (8) The Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) allows access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. It offered the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) access to archival records, however, there were conditions related to confidentiality and privacy to which the ALS would not agree. The ALS has now received edited copies of the requested archival records, with all personal information removed, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1992 . (9) The DIA will continue to allow access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. Cabinet has authorised funds to assist the taskforce with information management of archival records. (10) Not applicable. (11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
(5) The form of consultation is yet to be formulated, but is expected to include meetings with key Indigenous organisations, community meetings, written submissions and opportunities to consider individual case studies. Consultations will also occur with non-government sector bodies and organisations that may have had some connection or involvement in the stolen wages issue. (6) Not applicable. (7) to (8) The Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) allows access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. It offered the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) access to archival records, however, there were conditions related to confidentiality and privacy to which the ALS would not agree. The ALS has now received edited copies of the requested archival records, with all personal information removed, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1992 . (9) The DIA will continue to allow access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. Cabinet has authorised funds to assist the taskforce with information management of archival records. (10) Not applicable. (11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
(6) Not applicable. (7) to (8) The Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) allows access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. It offered the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) access to archival records, however, there were conditions related to confidentiality and privacy to which the ALS would not agree. The ALS has now received edited copies of the requested archival records, with all personal information removed, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1992 . (9) The DIA will continue to allow access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. Cabinet has authorised funds to assist the taskforce with information management of archival records. (10) Not applicable. (11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
(7) to (8) The Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) allows access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. It offered the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) access to archival records, however, there were conditions related to confidentiality and privacy to which the ALS would not agree. The ALS has now received edited copies of the requested archival records, with all personal information removed, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1992 . (9) The DIA will continue to allow access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. Cabinet has authorised funds to assist the taskforce with information management of archival records. (10) Not applicable. (11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
The ALS has now received edited copies of the requested archival records, with all personal information removed, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1992 . (9) The DIA will continue to allow access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. Cabinet has authorised funds to assist the taskforce with information management of archival records. (10) Not applicable. (11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
(9) The DIA will continue to allow access to records in accordance with its Access to Archival Records Policy. Cabinet has authorised funds to assist the taskforce with information management of archival records. (10) Not applicable. (11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
(10) Not applicable. (11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
(11)The taskforce will identify the scope of issues related to stolen wages, including matters related to available records and financial administration. (12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
(12) This will be considered by the taskforce as part of its investigation of this matter.
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