State apologises over stolen wages

The Western Australian government has formally apologised to thousands of Aboriginal people who worked with little to no pay for decades, as part of a historic $180 million class action settlement.

Premier Roger Cook moved the motion to formally acknowledge and apologise to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers who received little to no pay from 1936 to 1972 during today’s parliamentary sitting.

Employers were legally allowed to hold 75 per cent of the wages of Aboriginal people, held on trust, until a repeal of the legislation in 1972.

The stolen wages class action was launched by Gooniyandi man Mervyn Street, represented by Shine Lawyers, in the Federal Court of Australia in 2020 on behalf of workers and surviving relatives.

The state government announced it would pay up to $180.4 million to eligible Aboriginal workers or their surviving spouses and children, with a separate $15.4 million for some of the applicant’s legal costs.

“The class action started in 2020 and sought justice for people over who for a long period of time was subject to discriminatory legislation,” Mr Cook said in parliament.

“This legislation was meant to protect but instead resulted in hardship.

“Aboriginal men, women and children worked hard … but they received only a fraction of their worth.

“The fact that these laws facilitated these outcomes bring great shame … For that, we are sorry.

"These workers, men, women and children worked under oppressive legislation.

“I want to say to all Aboriginal workers that the WA government recognises that those laws and policies were wrong. They cause great harm and disadvantage."

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti said the stolen wages period was a shameful part of the state's history.

"It’s not about guilt that we view this history, it’s about doing the right thing," he said,

"This is why our government has reached a settlement on this appalling, and up to now, unsettling part of our history.

"Aboriginal people were unable to build up wealth … unable to pass accumulative wealth. These laws and policy limited their potential for dignified and prosperous lives.

"This settlement is an opportunity to acknowledge the valuable contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders made to our state [that has] never been properly recognised."

Kimberley MLA Divina D'anna, the state member for the electorate Mr Street lives in, also made an apology during the parliamentary sitting.

"The stolen wages was a result of legislation and policies inflicted to Aboriginal people by the government of the day. Many of the atrocious laws were agreed right here where we are standing today," she said in Parliament.

"Both Mr Street’s parents worked on the same station for most of their lives but they never earned a wage.

"In the Kimberley, a lot of Aboriginal people where displaced from their homelands and worked on cattle stations. 

"The reality of the history of this state, the Aboriginal people have been a backbone of the cattle industry.

"There have been very distressing stories in this case, as distressing as they are for people to hear – they need to be told.

"We cannot heal these wounds if we don’t acknowledge what has happened in this country. It doesn’t correct what has happened but it provides a way forward.

"It is a significant step but it is not just about financial compensation. It is about recognising and rectifying a great historical wrong.

"As we navigate the significance of this decision, it beckons us to listen and to understand."

Opposition leader Shane Love and Liberal Party WA leader Libby Mettam also made formal apologies in Parliament.