Stolen wages forum helps Cherbourg claimants

Cherbourg residents today attended a Reparations Scheme Application Day at the TAFE Lecture Theatre.

Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Curtis Pitt said it was good to hear so many Cherbourg residents had taken the opportunity to attend the forum.

“I wrote letters to more than 100 Cherbourg residents notifying them of their eligibility to receive a reparations payment under the Scheme,” Mr Pitt said.

“It is critical to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in geographically isolated communities such as Cherbourg are not disadvantaged and have the same level of service as those near major towns. 

“Today we’ve had experts from the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships helping eligible locals complete the requisite paperwork including application forms and bank details.

“We arranged for Justices of the Peace to visit Cherbourg today to help verify copies of birth and death certificates.

“We also orgnaised for Departmental staff to visit elderly and unwell claimants in their homes to assist them with applying for a reparations payment.

“The Palaszczuk Government set up the $21 million Reparations Scheme to make payments to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples whose wages and savings were controlled by Government under the previous ‘Protection Acts’.

“Today’s event was the easiest way for locals to check their eligibility and make an application under the Palaszczuk Government’s $21 million Reparations Scheme.”

For anyone who missed today’s event, they can seek help by contacting Leon Nehow on (07) 4125 9366.

Further information about the Reparations Scheme is available at www.qld.gov.au/reparations or free call 1800 619 505.

Additional Reparations Scheme application days will be held across the state as required.

Media contact: 0419 945 546