❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs regarding the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme, specifically the case of Ms. Margaret Oakes and the scheme's eligibility criteria. The Minister defends the scheme and declines to review it.
AnsweredQoN 350Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme Western Australia, I ask: (a) is the Minister aware of the claim of Ms Margaret Oakes from Kununurra, whose application to the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme Western Australia was refused because she was born on 17 February 1958 and not "before 1958" as per the guidelines; (b) if yes to (a), is the Minister aware that the guidelines are inconsistent with the legislative and administrative history used as the logic for the cut off, which should have been "before 1 July 1958" rather than "before 1958" and will the Minister now re-consider Ms Oakes’ eligibility; (c) if no to (a), will the Minister consider making an ex gratia payment to Ms Oakes to rectify the anomaly in her case; (d) does the Minister accept that the establishment of the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme Western Australia raised the hopes of all Aboriginal people for the unpaid work they did that they would finally receive the monies owed to them; (e) if yes to (d), does the Minister accept that the very narrow guidelines of the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme Western Australia discriminated against many in our community and have cast the Government in a very bad light; (f) will the Minister establish a committee of inquiry to examine all aspects of the scheme; and (g) if no to (f), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 November 2013
Responded by
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Response time
35 days
(a) Yes.
(b) The eligibility criteria for the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme (the Scheme) were reasonable and clear and were applied consistently in assessing each application.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) No.
(e) Not applicable.
(f) No.
(g) The Scheme will not be reviewed or reopened. It should be noted that the State Government currently invests heavily in measures intended to improve life 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 between 1905-1972.
(b) The eligibility criteria for the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme (the Scheme) were reasonable and clear and were applied consistently in assessing each application.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) No.
(e) Not applicable.
(f) No.
(g) The Scheme will not be reviewed or reopened. It should be noted that the State Government currently invests heavily in measures intended to improve life 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 between 1905-1972.
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