❓ A question regarding reparations for Ms. Rosie Lala, a Kimberley cattle station worker, who claims exploitation and lack of compensation under the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme WA. The Minister denies an apology, defends the scheme's fairness, and refuses to review Ms. Lala's case.
AnsweredQoN 958Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to Ms Rosie Lala, a highly respected senior member of the Ringer's Soak Community and Halls Creek, who is dissatisfied with the terms of reference of the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme WA, I ask: (a) will the Minister apologise to Ms Lala and others like her who experienced harsh conditions, exploitation and discrimination at the hands of government officials and station owners and as a result of government policies, while working on Kimberley cattle stations, meaning she received no education as a child (she cannot read and write), no payment for the work she did, no employment training and no compensation under the Stolen Wages Scheme as it currently stands: (i) if no to (a), why not; and (ii) if yes to (a), when will the Minister contact Ms Lala; (b) does the Minister consider the arrangements as they currently stand to be fair and just: (i) if yes to (b), could the Minister please explain how they are fair and just; and (ii) if not to (b), what does the Minister propose would be a fair and just arrangement for compensation of former station workers; and (c) will the Minister direct his department to look into Ms Lala's grievances, and take such steps as are necessary to compensate her for loss of earnings which occurred as a direct result of the government policies of the day: (i) if no to (b), why not; and (ii) if yes to (b), when can Ms Lala expect to receive the Minister's correspondence?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
6 May 2014
Responded by
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Response time
49 days
(a) No.
(i) The State Government's response to the issue of stolen wages was largely based on advice from the Stolen Wages Taskforce Report, which found that Government controls over Aboriginal people's money during the period 1905 to 1972 were at their most extensive for those living at Government Settlements including Carrolup, Moore River and other institutions across the State. After careful consideration, a decision was made to limit ex gratia payments through the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme (the Scheme) to former residents of Native Welfare institutions where the State Government had direct control over people's money and conditions.
(ii) Not applicable.
(b) Yes.
(i) The eligibility criteria for the Scheme were reasonable and clear and were applied consistently in assessing each application.
(ii) Not applicable.
(c) No.
(i) The Scheme will not be reviewed or reopened. Application to the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme does not affect the legal rights of any applicant that may choose to pursue other courses of action.
(ii) Not applicable.
(i) The State Government's response to the issue of stolen wages was largely based on advice from the Stolen Wages Taskforce Report, which found that Government controls over Aboriginal people's money during the period 1905 to 1972 were at their most extensive for those living at Government Settlements including Carrolup, Moore River and other institutions across the State. After careful consideration, a decision was made to limit ex gratia payments through the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme (the Scheme) to former residents of Native Welfare institutions where the State Government had direct control over people's money and conditions.
(ii) Not applicable.
(b) Yes.
(i) The eligibility criteria for the Scheme were reasonable and clear and were applied consistently in assessing each application.
(ii) Not applicable.
(c) No.
(i) The Scheme will not be reviewed or reopened. Application to the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme does not affect the legal rights of any applicant that may choose to pursue other courses of action.
(ii) Not applicable.
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