More than 1600 register for ‘stolen wages’ class action against WA government
More than 1600 indigenous people, many of whom were taken from their families as children, have so far registered their interest in a class action against the West Australian government over allegedly stolen wages.
The legal action, lodged with the Federal Court this week through Shine Lawyers, is being funded through Litigation Lending Services Limited, which last year settled a similar case with the Queensland government for $190 million.
LLS non-executive director Nyunggai Warren Mundine said during the Aboriginal protection era, many indigenous Australians worked hard but were never paid their wages.
“The moneys owed to them was paid to the Protector of Aborigines in each state,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The recovery of wages earned by indigenous Australians, but never paid to them, is a major area of unfinished business.
“A scheme set up by the WA government returned to them only a few thousand dollars each for a lifetime’s work. It was an insult.”
https://www.news.com.au/national/western-australia/more-than-1600-register-for-stolen-wages-class-action-against-wa-government/news-story/41f9bd75a1e66b33a5a2e70bf76ec8aa