❓ A parliamentary question regarding the refusal of a Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme application for Mr. Gordon Barney and the broader issue of withheld wages from Aboriginal station workers, seeking action, explanation, and an apology.
AnsweredQoN 1119Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to an application under the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme Western Australia by Mr Gordon Barney of Warmun Aboriginal Community in the East Kimberley and its refusal, his subsequent request for a review of his case, which was also refused, and ongoing complaints about the scheme, I ask: (a) will the Minister please advise what action Mr Barney can now take in order to recoup the wages that have so far been withheld; (b) what role did the Government of the day play in permitting station managers to withhold wages from Aboriginal employees; (c) were station managers permitted under Western Australian law to similarly withhold wages from non-Aboriginal employees: (i) if no to (c), why not; (d) if there was a discrepancy between the treatment of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal station workers, does the Minister consider this to be fair and reasonable: (i) if no to (d), why not and what will the Minister do to make amends; and (e) will the Minister apologise to Mr Barney and others who experienced similar treatment and make amends: (i) if no to (e), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 June 2014
Responded by
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Response time
42 days
(a) Application to the Stolen Wages Reparation Scheme (the Scheme) does not affect the legal rights of any applicant that may choose to pursue other courses of action. Applicants also have the option of the complaints process with the Western Australian State Ombudsman's office, under the provisions of the Parliamentary Commissioners Act 1971.
(b) The scope and extent of the Stolen Wages Taskforce's inquiry into the stolen wages issue related to the practice of Government control over wages, savings, entitlements and other monies of Aboriginal people that applied across Western Australia. The Stolen Wages Taskforce found that station workers' incomes were not controlled directly by Government and consequently, fall outside the scope of the Scheme.
(c) - (d) These issues are outside the scope of the Stolen Wages Taskforce's inquiry therefore I am unable to comment.
(e) No.
(e) (i) The State Government invests heavily in measures to improve 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 1905 to 1972.
(b) The scope and extent of the Stolen Wages Taskforce's inquiry into the stolen wages issue related to the practice of Government control over wages, savings, entitlements and other monies of Aboriginal people that applied across Western Australia. The Stolen Wages Taskforce found that station workers' incomes were not controlled directly by Government and consequently, fall outside the scope of the Scheme.
(c) - (d) These issues are outside the scope of the Stolen Wages Taskforce's inquiry therefore I am unable to comment.
(e) No.
(e) (i) The State Government invests heavily in measures to improve 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 1905 to 1972.
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