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Time for Beattie to rethink stolen wages offer

22 August 2002 - ANTaR - Media Release - The Queensland Government must rethink its inadequate compensation offer on stolen Aboriginal wages in light of a damning report from its own Indigenous Advisory Board, Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) said today.

"ANTaR supports the Indigenous Advisory Board's call for an open inquiry into the issue", National President, Phil Glendenning said..

"The Queensland Government's offer of $55.6 million was grossly inadequate, representing only about 10% of the wages withheld from Aboriginal workers over many decades", Mr Glendenning said..

"Injustice cannot be remedied by further injustice. But that's what the current offer amounts to according to the Government's own expert advisors.

"The Indigenous Advisory Board's report identifies serious flaws in the compensation offer and the consultation process from which it was derived. The report's criticisms include the inadequacy of the offer, the lack of access to their personal records by claimants, and the pressure placed on claimants to sign up to the deal.

"Despite the deadline given by the Government having passed, formal respondents to the state's offer represent only about 25% of potential claimants.

"That's a serious vote of no-confidence in the offer.

"The Beattie Government should be congratulated for acknowledging Government culpability and for seeking to settle the issue by agreement. But, now that flaws have been identified in the negotiations process and it is clear that there is significant Indigenous opposition to the offer, Premier Beattie should gracefully admit it's time to rethink the issue.

"An open, independent inquiry is the best way to resolve the current impasse.

"That would be a gesture in the spirit of genuine reconciliation.

"What could be fairer than honest acknowledgment of the enormous contribution of Aboriginal workers to the development of Queensland and a just recompense for their labour over decades?" Mr Glendenning concluded.

Source:ANTaR

Stolen Wages – Queensland's Shame

25 September 2002 - While other Australians have enjoyed the fundamental rights to choice of work, legal rates of pay and the benefits of their own earnings, these rights were denied Aboriginal workers until around 1970.

Forced labour contracting was normal for Aboriginal workers in remote areas. Pastoral pay was set at two-thirds the white rate but was sometimes only half that. Frauds on Aboriginal wages and savings by both employers and police 'protectors' was common, but never properly addressed. Workers did not know or consent to the misuse of their funds by successive governments. Up to 80% of private savings was unavailable from the 1930s, being diverted to revenue-producing investments. Destitution, malnutrition and preventible deaths were the norm. Forced labour contracting ceased in 1969; people could request control of their own savings after 1972 but many found little in their accounts.

In May the Beattie government offered ex-workers either $2000 or $4000 (depending on age), despite opposition from potential claimants. The premier claims this is a 'generous offer' made 'in the spirit of reconciliation'. This is a perverse claim: receipt of this money, the merest fraction of what is owed, depends on claimants signing an indemnity releasing the government from future legal redress. And the government is not allowing claimants to inspect their financial records before making a decision - a fundamental denial of legal rights.

ANTaR supports demands for appointment of an independent arbitration process to determine fair compensation to each worker or their estates.

This is a debt owed to workers cheated of their dues over many decades. Similar abuses occurred in other states. Check our website (www.antar.org.au) for how you can help.

Source: ANTaR

Further information: stolen wages issues page - includes news index and external links