Brisbane Reparations forum to help local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Brisbane are invited to attend a Reparations Scheme Application Day in Zillmere this Wednesday (2 August) to see if they are eligible for a reparations payment.

Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Mark Furner said the Palaszczuk Government’s $21 million Reparations Scheme formed part of reconciliation efforts with Indigenous Queenslanders whose wages and savings were controlled under previous governments’ ‘Protection Acts’.

“We can’t undo the damage that has been done, but through the Reparations Scheme we are taking a step forward in righting the wrongs of the past,” Mr Furner said.

“All Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders who believe their wages or savings were controlled are encouraged to come forward to see if they are eligible for payment.

“So far in this round, $11 million in payments have been made to more than 4,300 eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.

“We want to reach new claimants who were not eligible under previous schemes, including around 900 Indigenous Queenslanders within the newly eligible 1957 to 1959 birth date range.”

Member for Nudgee Leanne Linard said the Palaszczuk Government was committed to distributing remaining funds to eligible claimants.

“We are exploring additional ways to encourage and assist applicants to better access this scheme,” she said.

“Regional staff are working hard in their local areas to host applicant days like this one in Zillmere, as well as visiting elderly and unwell claimants at their homes to assist them in applying.

“Every effort is being made to promote the scheme and reach out to those who may not know they are eligible, or may have difficulty applying.”

Applications close on 29 September 2017.

For more information free call 1800 619 505 or visit www.qld.gov.au/reparations

North Brisbane Reparations Scheme Application Day:

When: Wednesday 2 August 2017

Time: 10.00am – 12.00pm

Where: Kurbingui Youth Development Association at 425 Zillmere Road, Zillmere

Department staff members will be on-hand to provide information and offer assistance with:

• checking eligibility criteria
• completing paperwork such as application forms and bank details
• submitting applications. 

There will also be a Justice of the Peace on site to verify copies of birth and death certificates.

Media contact: 0408 317 992