Stolen wages forum to help Yarrabah claimants lodge applications

Yarrabah residents are invited to attend a Reparations Scheme Application Day tomorrow at the Gindaja Hall.

Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Curtis Pitt is urging Yarrabah residents to take advantage of the upcoming Application Day.

“This is the easiest way for locals to check their eligibility and make an application under the Palaszczuk Government’s $21 million Reparations Scheme,” Mr Pitt said.

“I have written letters to more than 170 Yarrabah residents notifying them of their eligibility to receive a reparations payment under the Scheme.

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

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

“Our regional staff are working hard in their local areas and are hosting application days as well as visiting elderly and unwell claimants at their homes to assist them with applying for a reparations payment.”

Reparations Scheme Application Day:

When:              Wednesday 24 February 2016

Time:               10.00am to 3.00pm

Where:             Gindaja Hall, Yarrabah.

Department staff members will be on-hand to provide information and offer assistance with forms and there will also be a Justice of the Peace on site to verify copies of birth and death certificates.

For details about the Yarrabah Reparations Scheme Application Day please call Nathan Williams on (07) 4232 4232.  Additional Reparations Scheme application days will be held across the state as required.

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

Media contact: 0419 945 546