Update #16
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Time is running out - 5.00pm, 28 August 2020 is the cut off date
All the information and identity verification (photo ID) required to support a registered claim under the Stolen Wages Settlement Distribution Scheme must be received by the Stolen Wages Information Centre by no later than 5.00pm, 28 August 2020. As at today, 6,538 people have still not provided an acceptable identity verification document (acceptable ID is listed at stolenwages.com.au) or bank account details. If you provided an identification document (photo ID) to Bottoms English Lawyers you will still need to provide a current photo ID to the Stolen Wages Information Centre in order to verify your claim. If all the required information and documents are not received by the Stolen Wages Information Centre before 28 August 2020 you may not receive a payment. As Coronavirus restrictions ease we are once again visiting communities when we are able to, and when it is safe to do so. Our Yarrabah and Brisbane offices have also re-opened. Please visit the CONTACT US page for details on the location of the Stolen Wages Information Centre offices and the dates of community visits. Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson Scheme Administrators 24 July 2020 Update #15Stolen Wages Information Centre closed on 4 May 2020 for public holiday
Please note that the Stolen Wages Information Centre will be closed on Monday, 4 May 2020 for a public holiday. The Information Centre will re-open on Tuesday, 5 May 2020 at 9.00am. Please refer to the website if you are seeking any information about the Stolen Wages Settlement. Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson Scheme Administrators 1 May 2020 Update #14Claim statements are being mailed now
A claim statement is being mailed to all people that registered for the Stolen Wages Settlement as a claimant or a registered representative of a claimant that has passed away. The purpose of the claim statement is to confirm the information that is registered for each claimant and registered representative is correct and up-to-date. If a person is registered for more than one claim, such as for their mother, father or spouse they will receive a statement for each claim. Claims not registered by 21 November 2019 or deemed ineligible by BELAW will not receive a claim statement. The claim statement is to confirm the registered details of claimants and registered representatives and does not mean a person will receive a payment. Once the details of all registered claims are confirmed we will assess the eligibility of all claims and determine who is eligible to receive a payment. Claimants and registered representatives are asked to check that all of their details listed on the claim statement are complete and correct, and any supporting documents such as photo ID have been provided. This will assist in the processing of claims without delay. Any changes to the registered details, or if details are missing or incorrect are to be notified to the Stolen Wages Information Centre by completing any required fields, signing the claim statement and returning it to the Stolen Wages Information Centre. The claim statement does not have to be returned if all of the details are correct and photo ID has been provided. If a claim statement is not returned we will assume all registered details are correct. To protect the details of bank accounts, only four digits of the bank account of claimants and registered representatives are shown on a claim statement. Please note that the claim statement incorrectly states that the four digits are the last four digits of the bank account. The four digits are actually the first four digits. Apologies for any inconvenience. If a claimant or registered representative needs to register or change their bank account details, they must complete the Bank account details form attached to the claim statement or available from the DOCUMENTS tab. If bank account details are already registered and are remain correct, the form does not need to be completed and returned. After all claims are assessed, distribution statements will be sent to all eligible claimants by 6 September 2020 with an estimate of the payment that claimants and registered representatives will receive. Payments will then be made by 6 December 2020. Please note that these dates may be extended by the Federal Court or by up to 45 days by the administrators. At this stage, the Coronavirus restrictions are not expected to change the dates set by the Federal Court. Payments will not be made earlier as a result of the restrictions. People experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the Coronavirus restrictions should contact Centrelink or go to https://www.australia.gov.au/ for support packages and assistance provided by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments. A sample claim statement is set out below (this is a sample only) and can be viewed by clicking on the image. 
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators 16 April 2020 |
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Update #13
Stolen Wages payments and Centrelink payments
The Commonwealth Department of Social Services (DSS) manages social security payments, including family payments, student payments and income support payments for working age people, seniors and disabled people and their carers.
The administrators asked DSS if Stolen Wages payments would affect the social security payments of claimants and registered representatives. On 30 March 2020, DSS provided the following advice:
"Social security income test treatment of Queensland Stolen Wages Class Action payments
Payments from the Queensland Stolen Wages Class Action will not be counted as income for social security payments. This means that the initial lump sum amount will not have any effect on the social security payments you may receive.
You will still need to report these payments to Services Australia (Centrelink). You can contact the Services Australia Indigenous Call Centre, or your regular payment line, to advise of the payments. Please find contact details of the Indigenous Call Centre below.
Services Australia Indigenous Call Centre: 1800 136 380 (Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 5.00pm).
While the initial lump sum payment will not affect social security payments, any on-going income generated by the lump sum is counted under the income test, and any assessable asset produced from the lump sum is counted under the social security assets test."
If you have specific questions about your social security payment please contact the Services Australia Indigenous Call Centre as the Stolen Wages Information Centre is unable to answer questions about government payments.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
30 March 2020
The Commonwealth Department of Social Services (DSS) manages social security payments, including family payments, student payments and income support payments for working age people, seniors and disabled people and their carers.
The administrators asked DSS if Stolen Wages payments would affect the social security payments of claimants and registered representatives. On 30 March 2020, DSS provided the following advice:
"Social security income test treatment of Queensland Stolen Wages Class Action payments
Payments from the Queensland Stolen Wages Class Action will not be counted as income for social security payments. This means that the initial lump sum amount will not have any effect on the social security payments you may receive.
You will still need to report these payments to Services Australia (Centrelink). You can contact the Services Australia Indigenous Call Centre, or your regular payment line, to advise of the payments. Please find contact details of the Indigenous Call Centre below.
Services Australia Indigenous Call Centre: 1800 136 380 (Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 5.00pm).
While the initial lump sum payment will not affect social security payments, any on-going income generated by the lump sum is counted under the income test, and any assessable asset produced from the lump sum is counted under the social security assets test."
If you have specific questions about your social security payment please contact the Services Australia Indigenous Call Centre as the Stolen Wages Information Centre is unable to answer questions about government payments.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
30 March 2020
Update #12
Coronavirus update
We understand that this is a difficult time for many people dealing with the Coronavirus, particularly for those living in remote communities. Our priority is to ensure the safety of our staff and Stolen Wages claimants and registered representatives.
The Stolen Wages Information Centre is still operating within the restrictions imposed by the Commonwealth and Queensland governments. The Stolen Wages Information Centre can be contacted via telephone, email, post or fax. The contact details are listed under the CONTACT US tab.
Claimants and registered representatives for claimants that have passed away are asked to ensure they have provided the following information on their original registration or to the Stolen Wages Information Centre since 17 January 2020 (the date of the court orders):
At this stage the timetable set by the Federal Court has not changed. Distribution statements will be issued by 6 September and payments will be made by 6 December 2020. Payments will not be paid earlier due to the Coronavirus and any delays to the payments will be notified via the website and email communication with claimants and registered representatives. Please contact the Stolen Wages Information Centre if you have not already provided your email address so we can stay in touch with you.
If claimants or registered representatives are unable to provide their information or documents because of the Coronavirus restrictions, they should not be concerned as there is plenty of time to do so before the distribution statements are issued in September 2020. There is no need for claimants or registered representatives to put their health at risk or breach the government restrictions to submit their information and documents.
Please contact the Stolen Wages Information Centre for further information.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
30 March 2020
We understand that this is a difficult time for many people dealing with the Coronavirus, particularly for those living in remote communities. Our priority is to ensure the safety of our staff and Stolen Wages claimants and registered representatives.
The Stolen Wages Information Centre is still operating within the restrictions imposed by the Commonwealth and Queensland governments. The Stolen Wages Information Centre can be contacted via telephone, email, post or fax. The contact details are listed under the CONTACT US tab.
Claimants and registered representatives for claimants that have passed away are asked to ensure they have provided the following information on their original registration or to the Stolen Wages Information Centre since 17 January 2020 (the date of the court orders):
- The name of both the claimant and if applicable, the registered representative/s
- Date of birth of the claimant
- Whether the claimant is male or female
- The bank account details of the claimant or if applicable, the registered representative/s
- Ethnicity—whether the claimant is or was Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (cannot be both)
- Identification i.e. approved photo ID of the claimant or if applicable, the registered representative/s (see the website for what ID is acceptable).
At this stage the timetable set by the Federal Court has not changed. Distribution statements will be issued by 6 September and payments will be made by 6 December 2020. Payments will not be paid earlier due to the Coronavirus and any delays to the payments will be notified via the website and email communication with claimants and registered representatives. Please contact the Stolen Wages Information Centre if you have not already provided your email address so we can stay in touch with you.
If claimants or registered representatives are unable to provide their information or documents because of the Coronavirus restrictions, they should not be concerned as there is plenty of time to do so before the distribution statements are issued in September 2020. There is no need for claimants or registered representatives to put their health at risk or breach the government restrictions to submit their information and documents.
Please contact the Stolen Wages Information Centre for further information.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
30 March 2020
Update #11
Changes to bank account details
All Stolen Wages claimants and registered representatives of deceased claimants must provide their bank account details to the Stolen Wages Information Centre. This is because payments will only be made by the administrators to a bank account. No payments will be made by cheque or cash.
To prevent fraud and to protect the privacy of claimants and registered representatives, the Stolen Wages Information Centre will not take or change bank account details over the phone or in an email.
If a claimant or registered representative did not provide their bank account details when they registered for the Stolen Wages Settlement or wish to change their registered bank account, they must complete a bank account details form, sign it and return it to the Stolen Wages Information Centre. The form can be downloaded from the DOCUMENTS tab.
Claimants and registered representatives that provided their bank account details when they registered for the Stolen Wages Settlement do not need to complete the bank account details form unless they change their bank account.
All claimants and registered representatives that have registered for the Stolen Wages Settlement need to provide a copy of a legal form of photo ID or alternate identification to the Stolen Wages Information Centre in order to verify their identity. The types of valid identification are listed under What proof of identity do I have to provide? under the FAQ tab. Bank account details forms will not be registered unless a claimant or registered representative has provided valid identification to the Stolen Wages Information Centre.
Contact the Stolen Wages Information Centre if you require assistance with the bank account details form.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
20 March 2020
All Stolen Wages claimants and registered representatives of deceased claimants must provide their bank account details to the Stolen Wages Information Centre. This is because payments will only be made by the administrators to a bank account. No payments will be made by cheque or cash.
To prevent fraud and to protect the privacy of claimants and registered representatives, the Stolen Wages Information Centre will not take or change bank account details over the phone or in an email.
If a claimant or registered representative did not provide their bank account details when they registered for the Stolen Wages Settlement or wish to change their registered bank account, they must complete a bank account details form, sign it and return it to the Stolen Wages Information Centre. The form can be downloaded from the DOCUMENTS tab.
Claimants and registered representatives that provided their bank account details when they registered for the Stolen Wages Settlement do not need to complete the bank account details form unless they change their bank account.
All claimants and registered representatives that have registered for the Stolen Wages Settlement need to provide a copy of a legal form of photo ID or alternate identification to the Stolen Wages Information Centre in order to verify their identity. The types of valid identification are listed under What proof of identity do I have to provide? under the FAQ tab. Bank account details forms will not be registered unless a claimant or registered representative has provided valid identification to the Stolen Wages Information Centre.
Contact the Stolen Wages Information Centre if you require assistance with the bank account details form.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
20 March 2020
Update #10
Stolen Wages Information Centre, Cairns.
New offices and forms
The Stolen Wages Information Centre has new offices to assist Stolen Wages claimants.
Our office in Cairns has moved and is now located on the ground floor, Cairns Corporate Tower, 15 Lake Street, CAIRNS.
We have also opened an office every Tuesday in Yarrabah. We can be located at Shop 4, 6 Noble Drive, YARRABAH near the supermarket. Remember we are only in Yarrabah on Tuesdays. (Yarrabah office closed until further notice.)
Our office in Townsville will also open soon when the Corinavirus restrictions have been lifted. We will be located in the Relationships Australia office at 745 Riverway Drive (access from High Range Road) THURINGOWA CENTRAL QLD 4810. Our Townsville staff will also be visiting Palm Island and when we have confirmed the arrangements we will publish the dates on the Stolen Wages website. (Townsville office closed until further notice.)
South East Queensland claimants can visit our Brisbane office every Wednesday at Grant Thornton, Level 18, 145 Ann Street, BRISBANE. (Brisbane office closed until further notice.)
We have also appointed Cr. Kebei Salee Koeget from Sigabaduru Village, Papua New Guinea to assist claimants living in Papua New Guinea. Please contact the Stolen Wages Information Centre if you need assistance from Cr. Koeget.
Shortly, we will also announce our office locations in the Torres Strait and the date and location of our community visits to other communities. Information will be published in future updates, including any changes required due to the Coronavirus.
We have also published some new forms on the DOCUMENTS tab. A Confirmation of Identity – Verification form is now available for people that do not have any of the types of valid identification. The form is only to be used if a person does not have a valid form of identification. It is expected that very few people will not have one form of valid identification. If a person submits the Confirmation of Identity – Verification form, and they do have a valid identification document and don’t provide a copy, this could delay the processing of their claim.
We have also published a statutory declaration for registered representatives that have been adopted by a deceased claimant under traditional Torres Strait Islander adoption. A family member must complete the Stolen Wages: traditional Torres Strait Islander adoption statutory declaration confirming that the person was adopted and submit it to the Stolen Wages Information Centre. This is a requirement under the Settlement Distribution Scheme.
Go to the CONTACT US tab for how you can contact the Stolen Wages Information Centre, including the details of the location of all our offices.
Remember, the single point of truth for everything about the Stolen Wages settlement is the Stolen Wages website. Visit www.stolenwages.com.au if you are looking for information.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
17 March 2020
The Stolen Wages Information Centre has new offices to assist Stolen Wages claimants.
Our office in Cairns has moved and is now located on the ground floor, Cairns Corporate Tower, 15 Lake Street, CAIRNS.
We have also opened an office every Tuesday in Yarrabah. We can be located at Shop 4, 6 Noble Drive, YARRABAH near the supermarket. Remember we are only in Yarrabah on Tuesdays. (Yarrabah office closed until further notice.)
Our office in Townsville will also open soon when the Corinavirus restrictions have been lifted. We will be located in the Relationships Australia office at 745 Riverway Drive (access from High Range Road) THURINGOWA CENTRAL QLD 4810. Our Townsville staff will also be visiting Palm Island and when we have confirmed the arrangements we will publish the dates on the Stolen Wages website. (Townsville office closed until further notice.)
South East Queensland claimants can visit our Brisbane office every Wednesday at Grant Thornton, Level 18, 145 Ann Street, BRISBANE. (Brisbane office closed until further notice.)
We have also appointed Cr. Kebei Salee Koeget from Sigabaduru Village, Papua New Guinea to assist claimants living in Papua New Guinea. Please contact the Stolen Wages Information Centre if you need assistance from Cr. Koeget.
Shortly, we will also announce our office locations in the Torres Strait and the date and location of our community visits to other communities. Information will be published in future updates, including any changes required due to the Coronavirus.
We have also published some new forms on the DOCUMENTS tab. A Confirmation of Identity – Verification form is now available for people that do not have any of the types of valid identification. The form is only to be used if a person does not have a valid form of identification. It is expected that very few people will not have one form of valid identification. If a person submits the Confirmation of Identity – Verification form, and they do have a valid identification document and don’t provide a copy, this could delay the processing of their claim.
We have also published a statutory declaration for registered representatives that have been adopted by a deceased claimant under traditional Torres Strait Islander adoption. A family member must complete the Stolen Wages: traditional Torres Strait Islander adoption statutory declaration confirming that the person was adopted and submit it to the Stolen Wages Information Centre. This is a requirement under the Settlement Distribution Scheme.
Go to the CONTACT US tab for how you can contact the Stolen Wages Information Centre, including the details of the location of all our offices.
Remember, the single point of truth for everything about the Stolen Wages settlement is the Stolen Wages website. Visit www.stolenwages.com.au if you are looking for information.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
17 March 2020
Update #9
The appeal period for the orders of Justice Murphy made on 17 January 2020 approving the the Stolen Wages settlement and the Settlement Distribution Scheme (SDS) expired on 6 March 2020. No appeals were lodged with the Federal Court and the Queensland Government has now transferred the settlement monies plus interest to us as the administrators of the SDS.
We are now checking the eligibility of all registered claimants and registered representatives for claimants that have passed away and verifying their identity. If you haven't already done so, please send your photo ID to the Stolen Wages Information Centre (go to the FAQ tab for information on what types of photo ID are acceptable or what to do if you do not have a photo ID).
We will also be writing to all registered claimants and registered representatives shortly setting out their registered information and any missing information we require to process their claim. If you have changed address or bank account details please contact the Stolen Wages Information Centre. We are also sending fortnightly email updates to all claimants and registered representatives, so please contact the Stolen Wages Information Centre if you haven't already provided us with your email address or if it has changed.
Go to the CONTACT US tab for how you can contact the Stolen Wages Information Centre.
A reminder that we are unable to accept any new registrations and distribution statements will be sent to all eligible claimants and registered representatives for claimants that have passed away by 6 September 2020. Payments are still scheduled to be made by 6 December 2020.
We have also uploaded to the website a statutory declaration for the children of a deceased claimant that have registered as a registered representative and were adopted by the claimant under traditional Torres Strait Islander adoption. The statutory declaration must be completed by a family member declaring that the person is known to them and was adopted by the deceased claimant under traditional Torres Strait Islander adoption. There is information in the statutory declaration explaining why the form is required, what family member can make the statutory declaration, what information has to be provided and who can witness the signature of the family member. A copy of the statutory declaration can be downloaded from the DOCUMENTS tab.
In coming updates we will be announcing new office locations and the dates and locations of our community information sessions. Please continue to check the website for regular updates.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
13 March 2020
We are now checking the eligibility of all registered claimants and registered representatives for claimants that have passed away and verifying their identity. If you haven't already done so, please send your photo ID to the Stolen Wages Information Centre (go to the FAQ tab for information on what types of photo ID are acceptable or what to do if you do not have a photo ID).
We will also be writing to all registered claimants and registered representatives shortly setting out their registered information and any missing information we require to process their claim. If you have changed address or bank account details please contact the Stolen Wages Information Centre. We are also sending fortnightly email updates to all claimants and registered representatives, so please contact the Stolen Wages Information Centre if you haven't already provided us with your email address or if it has changed.
Go to the CONTACT US tab for how you can contact the Stolen Wages Information Centre.
A reminder that we are unable to accept any new registrations and distribution statements will be sent to all eligible claimants and registered representatives for claimants that have passed away by 6 September 2020. Payments are still scheduled to be made by 6 December 2020.
We have also uploaded to the website a statutory declaration for the children of a deceased claimant that have registered as a registered representative and were adopted by the claimant under traditional Torres Strait Islander adoption. The statutory declaration must be completed by a family member declaring that the person is known to them and was adopted by the deceased claimant under traditional Torres Strait Islander adoption. There is information in the statutory declaration explaining why the form is required, what family member can make the statutory declaration, what information has to be provided and who can witness the signature of the family member. A copy of the statutory declaration can be downloaded from the DOCUMENTS tab.
In coming updates we will be announcing new office locations and the dates and locations of our community information sessions. Please continue to check the website for regular updates.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
13 March 2020
Update #8
Mr Hans Pearson visited Grant Thornton’s Stolen Wages Information Centre in Cairns on 11 February 2020. Mr Pearson met staff and was briefed on the progress of the administration of the Settlement Distribution Scheme. Mr Pearson spoke about the history of the Stolen Wages Class Action and recorded a message for callers to the Stolen Wages Information Centre hotline (1300 591 534) while they are waiting for their call to be answered.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
11 February 2020
Update #7
We are pleased to advise that the FAQ tab has been updated to answer more of your questions.
There is also a new identity verification form available in the Documents tab for claimants that do not have photo ID.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
5 February 2020
There is also a new identity verification form available in the Documents tab for claimants that do not have photo ID.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
5 February 2020
Update #6
The Stolen Wages Class Action was recently settled with the Queensland Government for $190m. The formal orders approving the settlement were made by the Federal Court on 17 January 2020 and a copy is available in the Documents tab.
The Court appointed us, Tony Jonsson and Anthony Beven of Grant Thornton Australia Limited, Cairns to administer the distribution of the settlement monies to eligible claimants. Please note that the registration of claimants closed in 2019 and no new claimants are being accepted.
We will not be able to finalise the entitlement of claimants until after the Federal Court appeal period expires on 6 March 2020. If no appeal is lodged, from 7 March 2020 to 7 September 2020 we will review the eligibility of all claims and ensure we have up-to-date information for all registered claimants and registered representatives for claimants that have passed away.
Information sessions for claimants and registered representatives will be held in the Torres Strait, throughout Cape York and in some other mainland communities. Information about the Stolen Wages Class Action, the settlement scheme, the distribution process and the information sessions will be available on this website as they are released.
If you require further information or assistance, please call the Stolen Wages Hotline on 1300 591 545 or send an email to [email protected].
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
17 January 2020
The Court appointed us, Tony Jonsson and Anthony Beven of Grant Thornton Australia Limited, Cairns to administer the distribution of the settlement monies to eligible claimants. Please note that the registration of claimants closed in 2019 and no new claimants are being accepted.
We will not be able to finalise the entitlement of claimants until after the Federal Court appeal period expires on 6 March 2020. If no appeal is lodged, from 7 March 2020 to 7 September 2020 we will review the eligibility of all claims and ensure we have up-to-date information for all registered claimants and registered representatives for claimants that have passed away.
Information sessions for claimants and registered representatives will be held in the Torres Strait, throughout Cape York and in some other mainland communities. Information about the Stolen Wages Class Action, the settlement scheme, the distribution process and the information sessions will be available on this website as they are released.
If you require further information or assistance, please call the Stolen Wages Hotline on 1300 591 545 or send an email to [email protected].
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
17 January 2020
Update #5
We are pleased to confirm that the long-running Stolen Wages Class Action has reached a court-approved settlement of $190m.
The settlement administration (and payments to class members) is very likely to be conducted by Scheme Administrators Tony Jonsson and Anthony Beven of Grant Thornton Australia. Grant Thornton are a well-established and highly professional firm of accountants, with considerable experience in Indigenous Advisory. While the likely Administrators are based in Cairns, with BELAW, Grant Thornton have offices across Australia.
Before administration can commence, the “Appeal Period” must first expire. In the event an appeal is lodged, it will need to be processed and may potentially require a hearing in a superior court. This may significantly delay any settlement payments.
In the meantime, we suggest group members contact BELAW if any of their details change, such as address, phone number or bank details. Keep checking the website for further updates.
We wish the community a peaceful Christmas and New Year.
BELAW 2019
The settlement administration (and payments to class members) is very likely to be conducted by Scheme Administrators Tony Jonsson and Anthony Beven of Grant Thornton Australia. Grant Thornton are a well-established and highly professional firm of accountants, with considerable experience in Indigenous Advisory. While the likely Administrators are based in Cairns, with BELAW, Grant Thornton have offices across Australia.
Before administration can commence, the “Appeal Period” must first expire. In the event an appeal is lodged, it will need to be processed and may potentially require a hearing in a superior court. This may significantly delay any settlement payments.
In the meantime, we suggest group members contact BELAW if any of their details change, such as address, phone number or bank details. Keep checking the website for further updates.
We wish the community a peaceful Christmas and New Year.
BELAW 2019
Update #4
The settlement approval hearing of the Stolen Wages Class Action was adjourned on 21 November 2019 to provide more time for the Applicant’s team to process registration forms and gather more information for the court.
The application for settlement approval is listed for further hearing before Justice Murphy in the Federal Court in Brisbane, on 19 December 2019 at 10.15am
BELAW 2019
The application for settlement approval is listed for further hearing before Justice Murphy in the Federal Court in Brisbane, on 19 December 2019 at 10.15am
BELAW 2019
Update #3
Registration for the stolen wages settlement has now closed.
Registration for the settlement was open from 4 September 2019 to 21 November 2019. BELAW has received many thousands of registration forms, supporting documents and enquiries during that time, while also running many information sessions across Queensland.
This has created a significant volume of paperwork to be reviewed, and processed, all of which takes time. We may not be in a position to confirm your material has been received right away, and we thank you for your patience.
If you have sent us your registration forms in the mail, or personally dropped off your forms in our office, or we have collected it on one of our Outreach sessions, then it is very likely in our office awaiting review and processing into the database. If you are enquiring about an emailed registration form, please tell us who you sent it to, on what date, and we can check for you.
If you already have an individual SW# or OSW#, you are a registered group member.
Applying after 21 November 2019
If you wish for us to approach the Court specifically on your behalf to seek to register your late claim at the hearing on 21 November, please send in a completed Registration Form as soon as possible and write clearly on the form, or on a document attached to the form, the reason/s that you have put the claim in late.
While we cannot give any guarantee that the Judge will accept your late registration, if we receive your form and written circumstances for the delay as soon as possible, we will do our best to ensure these are put before the Judge for his consideration. Ultimately the Judge will decide whether a late registration form will be accepted.
Next steps
Approval of the Settlement Distribution Scheme is required before the Administrator can be appointed and begin the payment calculations of each claim. This approval decision is expected to be made by Justice Murphy of the Federal Court of Australia, after the Final Hearing on 21 and 22 November 2019 (where he will hear evidence from the parties).
The appointed Administrator will then need to verify, calculate and distribute the payments to all the registered beneficiaries. This will be a lengthy task and may take up to 18 months to complete in full.
In the meantime, if you have a SW# or OSW# have not already provided us with your bank details, please contact us to provide those (BSB, Account number, name of account holder, and Bank). We are continuing to receive any missing information for claims received before the registration deadline. Please see above for information on “Applying after 21 November 2019”.
Date of birth and date of death
For the purpose of calculating accurate payments, the Administrator will require dates of birth, and if available, dates of death. We understand the historical realities of government legislation means this information is either missing, destroyed or never existed for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
If you have claimed for a deceased parent, but you do not know their dates of birth or death, you should be able to calculate at least the year of birth for your parents if you have your own birth certificate.
Your birth certificate should show your father’s and mother’s age at the time of your birth. Subtract how old they were from your birth year and this will tell you the year of their birth.
BELAW 2019
Registration for the settlement was open from 4 September 2019 to 21 November 2019. BELAW has received many thousands of registration forms, supporting documents and enquiries during that time, while also running many information sessions across Queensland.
This has created a significant volume of paperwork to be reviewed, and processed, all of which takes time. We may not be in a position to confirm your material has been received right away, and we thank you for your patience.
If you have sent us your registration forms in the mail, or personally dropped off your forms in our office, or we have collected it on one of our Outreach sessions, then it is very likely in our office awaiting review and processing into the database. If you are enquiring about an emailed registration form, please tell us who you sent it to, on what date, and we can check for you.
If you already have an individual SW# or OSW#, you are a registered group member.
Applying after 21 November 2019
If you wish for us to approach the Court specifically on your behalf to seek to register your late claim at the hearing on 21 November, please send in a completed Registration Form as soon as possible and write clearly on the form, or on a document attached to the form, the reason/s that you have put the claim in late.
While we cannot give any guarantee that the Judge will accept your late registration, if we receive your form and written circumstances for the delay as soon as possible, we will do our best to ensure these are put before the Judge for his consideration. Ultimately the Judge will decide whether a late registration form will be accepted.
Next steps
Approval of the Settlement Distribution Scheme is required before the Administrator can be appointed and begin the payment calculations of each claim. This approval decision is expected to be made by Justice Murphy of the Federal Court of Australia, after the Final Hearing on 21 and 22 November 2019 (where he will hear evidence from the parties).
The appointed Administrator will then need to verify, calculate and distribute the payments to all the registered beneficiaries. This will be a lengthy task and may take up to 18 months to complete in full.
In the meantime, if you have a SW# or OSW# have not already provided us with your bank details, please contact us to provide those (BSB, Account number, name of account holder, and Bank). We are continuing to receive any missing information for claims received before the registration deadline. Please see above for information on “Applying after 21 November 2019”.
Date of birth and date of death
For the purpose of calculating accurate payments, the Administrator will require dates of birth, and if available, dates of death. We understand the historical realities of government legislation means this information is either missing, destroyed or never existed for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
If you have claimed for a deceased parent, but you do not know their dates of birth or death, you should be able to calculate at least the year of birth for your parents if you have your own birth certificate.
Your birth certificate should show your father’s and mother’s age at the time of your birth. Subtract how old they were from your birth year and this will tell you the year of their birth.
BELAW 2019
Update #2
On 3 September 2019, the Applicant, Mr Pearson and the Respondent, the State of Queensland, formalised the settlement of the matter by signing a Deed of Settlement.
Registration for the settlement is open until 21 November 2019.
Group members can register for the class action by completing a Registration Form (Living or Deceased Group Members) and sending it to BELAW.
To be eligible you, or a deceased spouse or parent, must satisfy the following criteria:
Government or the head of the mission or reserve;
AND/OR
b. If you are an Aboriginal, between 1945 and 1966 you were
required to work on a settlement or mission.
If this applies to you, or a deceased spouse or parent, please complete a Registration Form and send to BELAW no later than 21 November 2019. Copies of the Registrations Forms can be downloaded from the “Documents” tab of this website, alternatively you can call us on (07) 4041 1641 to request a copy be sent to you.
Please note that due to the exceptionally high volume of phone calls to the Stolen Wages Hotline, it may take a few attempts to get through. We thank you for your patience, and advise that the correct way to register is by completing the Registration Form and sending it to BELAW by 21 November 2019.
If you are already registered with us before the settlement, you do not need to complete a form. If you are unsure, we suggest you complete a Registration Form anyway.
Once the Registration Form has been completed and signed, please send it to BELAW via one of the following ways:
POST:
BELAW
PO Box 5196
Cairns QLD 4870
EMAIL: [email protected]
FAX: (07) 4051 5206
The registration deadline is 21 November 2019.
BELAW 2019
Registration for the settlement is open until 21 November 2019.
Group members can register for the class action by completing a Registration Form (Living or Deceased Group Members) and sending it to BELAW.
To be eligible you, or a deceased spouse or parent, must satisfy the following criteria:
- You identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; and
- You lived in a district or on a mission or reserve in Queensland; and
- Between 1939 and 1972 you had a paid job at some time and you didn’t get paid your wages; and
Government or the head of the mission or reserve;
AND/OR
b. If you are an Aboriginal, between 1945 and 1966 you were
required to work on a settlement or mission.
If this applies to you, or a deceased spouse or parent, please complete a Registration Form and send to BELAW no later than 21 November 2019. Copies of the Registrations Forms can be downloaded from the “Documents” tab of this website, alternatively you can call us on (07) 4041 1641 to request a copy be sent to you.
Please note that due to the exceptionally high volume of phone calls to the Stolen Wages Hotline, it may take a few attempts to get through. We thank you for your patience, and advise that the correct way to register is by completing the Registration Form and sending it to BELAW by 21 November 2019.
If you are already registered with us before the settlement, you do not need to complete a form. If you are unsure, we suggest you complete a Registration Form anyway.
Once the Registration Form has been completed and signed, please send it to BELAW via one of the following ways:
POST:
BELAW
PO Box 5196
Cairns QLD 4870
EMAIL: [email protected]
FAX: (07) 4051 5206
The registration deadline is 21 November 2019.
BELAW 2019
Update #1
An in-principle settlement has been reached with the State of Queensland, Respondents to the Stolen Wages Class Actions, for $190 million.
BELAW is proud to have successfully sought justice for nearly 10,000 First Nations Queenslanders who had their wages withheld between 1939 and 1972 under discriminatory Protection legislation.
Our lead applicant, Hans Pearson, says “It's fantastic, justice has been done. I'm very happy.”
Eligible group members can still register interest in the class action by contacting BELAW Stolen Wages team. To be eligible you must satisfy the following criteria:
Government or the head of the mission or reserve;
AND/OR
b. If you are an Aboriginal, between 1945 and 1966 you were
required to work on a settlement or mission.
If this applies to you, or you are unsure, please contact our friendly Stolen Wages team on (07) 40 411 641.
BELAW 2019
Our lead applicant, Hans Pearson, says “It's fantastic, justice has been done. I'm very happy.”
Eligible group members can still register interest in the class action by contacting BELAW Stolen Wages team. To be eligible you must satisfy the following criteria:
- You identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; and
- You lived in a district or on a mission or reserve in Queensland; and
- Between 1939 and 1972 you had a paid job at some time and you didn’t get paid your wages; and
Government or the head of the mission or reserve;
AND/OR
b. If you are an Aboriginal, between 1945 and 1966 you were
required to work on a settlement or mission.
If this applies to you, or you are unsure, please contact our friendly Stolen Wages team on (07) 40 411 641.
BELAW 2019
Information Sessions
Bottoms English Lawyers held information sessions around Queensland to talk about the settlement of the Stolen Wages Class Action. The full list of the sessions is set out below.
Getting your money backA decision of the court |
If you, or a deceased family member had wages withheld or controlled by the Queensland Government, you may be an eligible group member under the Stolen Wages Class Action and entitled to a payment under the Settlement Distribution Scheme approved by the Federal Court of Australia on 17 January 2020.
Registrations closed on 21 November 2019. This isn’t compensation – this is a payment for the actual wages earned and has been approved by the Federal Court of Australia.
|
ABC 7:30 Report on 12/09/2016
Stolen Wages - Madeline's story
Reparations schemeYou may still be eligible even if you have already received a reparations payment. |
The Stolen Wages Reparations Scheme is a Queensland Government led initiative to provide small payments to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people whose wages and savings were controlled.
Mr Hans Pearson argued these small payments were not enough compensation, which is why Bottoms English Lawyers – completely independent of the government – worked with Mr Pearson to start the Stolen Wages Class Action. If you are an eligible person and registered before 21 November 2019, you can still receive a payment under the Stolen Wages Settlement Distribution Scheme even if you have made an application, or even received a payment, from the Queensland Government's Stolen Wages Reparations Scheme. |
Stolen Wages - John Bottoms
