6March 2012
MEDIA STATEMENT
MEDIA STATEMENTStolen Wages offer a ‘slap in the face’ says ALSWA
6thMarch 2012
The Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia (ALSWA) has slammed the WA State Government’s offer of up to $2000.00 to Aboriginal workers whose past wages were stolen by the state.
“This is a slap in the face and a cruel and heartless offer which offends the very notion of recompense” said ALSWA CEO Adjunct Professor Dennis Eggington. “This is not just about stolen wages or pensions that were withheld, nor is it about coming up with an equitable scheme. This state’s economic power was built upon the backs of hard working, proud Indigenous men and women who had their hard earned wages withheld. To now offer these people such a paltry amount diminishes the contributions that our people have made. Any offer made must also ensure that monies are repaid in terms of today’s monetary value” said Mr. Eggington.
This offer comes six years after ALSWA’s submission to the Senate Inquiry into Stolen Wages recommending the just return of stolen wages to Aboriginal workers. ‘This offer is an affront to all fair minded Western Australians who believe in common decency and a fair go and it is a vile and disgusting breach of the duty of this state to those whose wages were stolen” said Mr. Eggington. “In a state that is reaping a fortune from the resource sector to offer nothing more than the crumbs off the table is reminiscent of the mission ration days. In the current economic climate it is hardly any better than flour and tea”.
Many Indigenous workers had their wages withheld in trust accounts by successive state governments and with the early mortality rate of Indigenous adults, many have not survived long enough to see their wages returned. “This is not just about paying back what was stolen in today’s value, but also rewriting this state’s shameful history to ensure that the contributions made by our people are rightfully acknowledged. ALSWA urges the Indigenous Affairs Minister, Peter Collier to retract the offensive offer and begin urgent negotiations to settle upon a fair and equitable amount commensurate with the valuable contributions that Indigenous men and women have made to WA. ‘The significant legacy these people left this state was paid for in blood, sweat and tears and to have this measured so meagrely is heart breaking to those who have survived and insulting to the families of those who didn’t’ said Mr. Eggington.
ALSWA will be encouraging people to continue down the path of litigation and not settle for anything less than they are entitled to. “It’s a disgraceful and insulting offer and will not deter ALSWA from seeking legal advice about taking action against the State” said Mr. Eggington.
ALSWA Media Enquiries to ALSWA Media Officer Jodi Hoffmann on 0428 948 610
