Stolen Wages Reparations Scheme now open

The Palaszczuk Government’s $21 million stolen wages reparations scheme is now open to receiving applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders whose wages or savings were stolen by previous governments.

Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Curtis Pitt made the announcement today, saying it was important to right this historical wrong.

“No amount of money can repair the injustices of the past,” Mr Pitt said.

“For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders, the ‘control’ policies of the past continue to have a lasting legacy and impact today.

“Our Reparations Scheme is about acknowledging the historical injustices of the past for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders whose wages and savings were controlled under former government policies.

“In response to community feedback, elderly and seriously ill claimants will be prioritised to ensure their applications are processed swiftly.

“In the spirit of reconciliation, the Queensland Government is committed to ensuring that the current Reparations Scheme strives to provide healing and a sense of closure to this long-standing issue.”

Mr Pitt thanked Chair of the Reparations Taskforce, Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda, and the Taskforce for their extensive consultationwith all interested parties, community members and key stakeholders from every corner of the state to bring a greater sense of closure to the issue of reparations.

Mr Pitt recognised the lengths the Taskforce had gone to in a short period of time to help ensure the success of the Queensland Government’s commitment to making the Reparations Scheme a priority.

With the new application period opening today, payments to previously successful claimants will occur in the coming weeks with ‘top up’ payments of:

-       $2,200 (if born before 1952); or

-       $1,100 (if born between 1 January 1952 and 31 December 1956)

Previously successful claimants will be posted an official letter in the mail to confirm their details.

If you are a newly eligible claimant, you will receive a total payment of:

-       $9,200 (if born before 1952); or

-       $4,600 (if born between 1 January 1952 and 31 December 1959).

It means, overall, each eligible claimant will receive the same total amount of reparation payments regardless of when they applied.

Mr Pitt said this includes payments received under the previous Indigenous Wages and Savings Reparations process and the current Reparations Scheme.

“We have also taken on feedback to open the scheme up to claimants who were born between 1 January 1957 and 31 December 1959as we now have evidence that people of a younger age group were working under government controls.

“I urge anyone who thinks they may have a claim to submit their application for assessment by 16 December 2016.”

The Reparations Scheme will remain open for three years to ensure that all potential claimants have every opportunity to have their claims investigated thoroughly.

For more information about the Reparations Scheme – Stolen Wages and Savings and eligibility requirements, Free Call 1800 619 505 or visit www.qld.gov.au/reparations.

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