❓ A parliamentary question seeking detailed information about the Redress Scheme and Stolen Wages Scheme in WA, including eligibility criteria, notification methods, and overlap between the schemes, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants born before 1958. The response provides some information but deflects several questions due to portfolio responsibilities or data limitations.
AnsweredQoN 2151Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to the Redress Scheme and Stolen Wages Scheme, and I ask: (a) which of the locations specified as eligible locations for the Redress Scheme Western Australia were also eligible locations for the Western Australia Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme (SWS); and (b) which of the locations specified as eligible locations for the SWS were also eligible locations for the Redress Scheme Western Australia? (2) how were eligible locations for the Redress Scheme Western Australia notified to the public while that scheme was open for applications? (3) While the Redress Scheme Western Australia was open for applications, what methods were available to potential applicants for them to ascertain if the location(s) at which they had resided was an eligible location for the purpose of the scheme? (4) How were the eligible locations for the SWS notified to the public while that scheme was open for applications? (5) While the SWS was open for applications, what methods were available to potential applicants for them to ascertain if the location(s) at which they had resided was an eligible location for the purpose of the scheme? (6) Of the 2,689 successful applicants to the Redress Scheme who identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, how many of those born before 1958 received a Redress payment in respect of a location which: (a) was defined as a Government Native Welfare Settlement for the SWS; (b) was a location where they lived when 14 years or older; and (c) was a location where they began to live before 1972? (7) Of the group who met the criteria in 6(a) to (c), what was the distribution of these Aboriginal people by postcode shown on their Redress application? (8) Of the group who met the criteria in 6(a) to (c), how many of these: (a) applied to the SWS; and (b) were successful in their stolen wages application? (9) In respect of the group who met the criteria in 6(a) to (c), who applied for to the SWS and were successful in their stolen wages application, what was the distribution of these Aboriginal people by postcode: (a) shown on their Redress application; and (b) shown on their stolen wages application?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
3 December 2014
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Community Services
Response time
41 days
(1)(a) Eligibility for the Redress WA Scheme (the Scheme) was not defined by a specific list of locations. Rather, the Scheme was open to all adults who, as children, were abused in State care prior to 1 March 2006, including child migrants and Stolen Generation children.
State care was defined as including all facilities that were subsidised, monitored, registered or approved by the State Government, such as foster homes, or other residential settings or institutions such as group homes, hostels or orphanages.
(b) The Stolen Wages Scheme was not within my portfolio responsibilities. Please refer to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
(2) The Scheme was the subject of a comprehensive communications strategy that included:
- over 3000 information packages distributed to government and non-government agencies and the media;
- advertising in international, interstate, and WA metropolitan and regional newspapers;
- television and radio advertisements;
- a dedicated website with Guidelines, Application Form and Frequently Asked Questions;
- a Helpdesk and Freecall number; and
- a roadshow of information sessions for regional and remote communities held in conjunction with the Aboriginal Legal Service and Kimberley Community Legal Service.
(3) Potential applicants could email or call the Helpdesk to seek advice about their eligibility for the Scheme.
(4) See (1)(b) above.
(5) See (1)(b) above.
(6)(a)-(c) This level of detail was not recorded in the Scheme database, and would require an analysis of 1 368 individual case files.
(7) See (6) above.
(8)(a)-(b) See (1)(b) above.
(9)(a)-(b) See (1)(b) above.
State care was defined as including all facilities that were subsidised, monitored, registered or approved by the State Government, such as foster homes, or other residential settings or institutions such as group homes, hostels or orphanages.
(b) The Stolen Wages Scheme was not within my portfolio responsibilities. Please refer to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
(2) The Scheme was the subject of a comprehensive communications strategy that included:
- over 3000 information packages distributed to government and non-government agencies and the media;
- advertising in international, interstate, and WA metropolitan and regional newspapers;
- television and radio advertisements;
- a dedicated website with Guidelines, Application Form and Frequently Asked Questions;
- a Helpdesk and Freecall number; and
- a roadshow of information sessions for regional and remote communities held in conjunction with the Aboriginal Legal Service and Kimberley Community Legal Service.
(3) Potential applicants could email or call the Helpdesk to seek advice about their eligibility for the Scheme.
(4) See (1)(b) above.
(5) See (1)(b) above.
(6)(a)-(c) This level of detail was not recorded in the Scheme database, and would require an analysis of 1 368 individual case files.
(7) See (6) above.
(8)(a)-(b) See (1)(b) above.
(9)(a)-(b) See (1)(b) above.
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