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Newman has “no intention” of reopening Stolen Wages case Callum Clayton-Dixon
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Longtime social justice campaigner Alexandra Gater is calling on Queensland Premier Campbell Newman to reopen the Stolen Wages case and “give every claimant what’s owed to them” after the reparation scheme snapped shut under the Bligh Government in 2010. “It doesn’t belong to past or present governments,” said Ms Gater (Koa/Jagalinga). “It belongs to Aboriginal people.” In 2002, the Beattie Labor Government made an offer of $55.6 Social justice campaigner Alex Gater calls on other First Nations people to join million to pay $2000 - $4000 to her outside QLD parliament on April 17 at 12.30pm to rally against the Newman Government’s refusal to reopen the Stolen Wages case. IMAGE: Brendon Qu claimants as a final settlement. Ms Gater slammed the offer and labelled it “an insult” to First Nations people. remedies through the legal process.” services just to name a few,” said Ms Gater. “We were taxed even In their letter to Mr Newman “Our people were bullied [into when we weren’t classed as citizens. last October, the Townsville Stolen accepting the offer].” Aboriginal soldiers were only paid Wages Committee claimed the The repatriation scheme began in seven schillings to the white man’s previous QLD Government made July 2002 and ended in June 2010, three pounds.” a unilateral decision about the with a total of $35.5 million having Ms Gater believes the push for reallocation of funds originally put been paid to claimants. This left return of Stolen Wages is about aside for the repatriation scheme. more than $20 million in the QLD “The Aboriginal and Torres Strait “justice and equality”. Stolen Wages fund which the Bligh “Our stories need to be heard to Government decided to redirect into a Islander communities of Townsville show white Australians that they trust to facilitate scholarships for First are angry because we were not consulted about the remaining $21.2 reap the benefits of the suffering of Nations school students. In a letter million which has yet to be paid out. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander replying to the Townsville Stolen people. Stolen Wages built this State.” Wages Committee, Premier Campbell We were TOLD that the remaining monies would be placed in the Newman reaffirmed the Liberal Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Queensland Indigenous Scholarship has also backed the call to repay National Party (LNP) government’s fund, and there was absolutely no support for this program. the remaining $21.2 million to consultation.” claimants. Mr Newman also said his government “has no intention of reopening the issue of past wages practices”.
Ms Gater said it was the QLD Government’s “responsibility to educate our children” without dipping into “money that belongs to Aboriginal people”.
Ms Gater will join other First Nations people and their supporters outside the QLD parliament house this Wednesday (April 17) “If people feel they have at 12.30pm for a rally against the a legitimate, unaddressed “Aboriginal people were slaves in Newman Government’s refusal compensation claim for losses they to adequately address the issue of have suffered as a result of historical the big industries, timber, railways, Stolen Wages. practices they have the right to pursue pastoral and fighting in the armed April 15, 2013
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April 15, 2013
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