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Issue No. 250 | 21 December 2004 |
Beyond The Law
Interview: The King of Comedy Unions: Ten Simple Rules Politics: Rampant Indivdualism International: Global Struggle Economics: Cashing in the Year History: Grass Roots Review: Cultural Realities Poetry: Y-U-C-K
Security Crisis at Sydney Airport
Predictions The Soapbox The Locker Room Parliament
Temporary Arrangements The Price Of Tea In China Goodthink Cry For Me, Argentina Ho Bloody Ho Amen Right Is Wrong Business As Usual All In The Family Swing Left Wishful Thinking
Labor Council of NSW |
News Stolen Wages Cut
An Aboriginal leader has labeled "absolutely disgusting" the Government's announcement it will set aside $15 million to compensate Aborigines who had wages stolen by the state early last century. Cabinet minutes from earlier this year show accounting firm Ernst & Young estimated the 11,000 aborigines could be eligible for a total payout of up to $70 million. A government committee recommended a three member panel be set up to take evidence and determine payments which were likely to average about $3000. From 1900 to 1968 many Aborigines were forced to put wages, pensions, family endowments, inheritances and lump-sum compensation payments into trust funds administered by successive NSW state governments. Many were farm servants and members of the stolen generation. Marjorie Woodrow, who was stolen, worked on a rural property for five years from the age of 16 washing clothes, mustering sheep and cleaning the house. She undertook the work in the late 1930's and early 1940's. The Aboriginal leader lived in a tent for seven years with her husband and family while waiting for wages that were meant to be returned to her when she turned 21. Now in her 80's Woodrow estimates she is owed $250,000 for her 18 hour days worked seven days a week. Woodrow has vowed not to accept anything less than the true value of her stolen wages. "I promised six of my best friends, as a last dying wish, to see their wages were paid to their children as a legacy," said Woodrow. "Now they want to meet up with me and my lawyer on the 30th and make me an offer to shut me up. "I want to see them pay all the money up. "After Christmas is we don't get the wages we will march in every state and show we mean business."
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