A class action has been launched in the Federal Court against the Western Australian Government on behalf of Indigenous workers who had their wages stolen.
Shine Lawyers launched the action yesterday on behalf of workers who had their wages stolen under the Native Administration Act 1936 and Native Welfare Act 1963.
Head of class actions at Shine Lawyers Jan Saddler told the ABC there could be as many as 14,000 people who were affected by the legislation.
An Indigenous woman who has been waiting almost 70 years to be paid for her work welcomes legal action to recover her wages but says she will never be able to forget the abuse she suffered on while working on missions and farms.
Edith De Giambattista says the money owed to her should have been paid ages ago.
While she is happy about the class action, she also says no amount of money can make up for what she went through.
A Lawyer involved in a class action to recover stolen wages in Western Australia says victims have waited long enough to be paid as many are elderly and dying at alarming rates.
Senior Associate for Shine Lawyers, Tristan Gaven says victims have waited long enough to be paid as many are elderly and dying at alarming rates.
He says a case like this could go three to four years but a mediated approach as has been hinted by WA’s Treasurer Ben Wyatt would be welcomed.
