Indigenous workers whose wages were subject to government control in the Northern Territory during the last century, may be eligible for compensation after the Commonwealth Government agreed to settle a class action for Stolen Wages.
A class action was launched by Shine Lawyers for lead applicant, Minnie McDonald, on behalf of thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and surviving relatives who worked in the Northern Territory and were paid little or no wages from 1933 to 1971.
Ms McDonald and other witnesses gave evidence during Federal Court hearings in Darwin, Tennant Creek, Katherine and Alice Springs last year.
The Commonwealth has agreed to pay up to $202 million to eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers and their surviving spouses and children.
The decision in a snapshot
The Commonwealth Government has settled the class action for Stolen Wages on behalf of many thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who worked in the Northern Territory and who were paid little or no wages from 1933 to 1971, while they were subject to Commonwealth wage control legislation.
The matter of Minnie McDonald v Commonwealth of Australia has settled, subject to approval of the Federal Court of Australia.
A registration process for group members and an outreach program throughout the Northern Territory will likely commence in October 2024 subject to Court orders.
A settlement approval hearing may be held towards the end of 2024.
“It was hard when we were growing up. We lived in the bush and didn’t have any school. When I was young I started working on stations. I was working with my family – my father, my mother and my brothers were on the station. I later met my husband when working on stations. We had nothing and had to live on bush tucker and a bit of bread. A lot of those people we worked with are gone now. This is about all the people who were working everywhere and never got paid nothing.”
Minnie McDonald, Lead Applicant
Significant step
In a press statement, Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malardirri McCarthy, described the settlement as a significant step towards fixing wrongs of the past.
“I acknowledge Minnie McDonald and every First Nations person involved in bringing this class action forward to seek redress and healing.
“The NT historical wages class action concerns a deeply regrettable and shameful chapter in Australian history.
“It is my hope that, if approved, the settlement will bring closure to many First Nations people impacted by these Commonwealth laws.”
Shine Lawyers Class Actions Team Practice leader Sarah Thomson said they are thrilled with the settlement and praised Minnie McDonald for her brave testimony that was crucial to the case.
“Minnie’s heard the news and she is really happy, ” Ms Thomson said.
“She’s done an amazing job standing up for the group members in this matter and telling her story. They’re not easy stories to tell.
“This is all part of a very dark part of Australia’s history, and what we hope is that by having run this class action, not only will we get some money for people, but that Australians will be more aware of the history behind this. I think it’s really important that that evidence and those stories are told and remembered.”
Ms Thomson says it’s crucial now that people who believe they’re eligible for compensation to register with the law firm.
“We’ll try and go to Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, we’ll try to get there before Christmas, try and do some registrations there, and then we’ll come back again next year and do some more remote communities. We are going to try and allocate about eight months or so to doing a big outreach program.”
