Update #23
Final payments processed 12 June 2023
The final payments to living Claimants resident in Australia (approved by Justice Murphy on 10 March 2023) were calculated and processed on 12 June 2023. The payments were paid to the nominated bank account of living Claimants on 13 June 2023. A reminder that the payments are small as the majority of the funds have already been paid to Claimants and Registered Representatives and when the payment appears in the bank account of living Claimants will depend on the payment processing times of that person's bank.
A list of the amount of final payments to each category of living Claimant is set out below. The categories were determined by the Federal Court:
A further reminder that we are unable to provide information via telephone. Queries will only be accepted in writing by emailing stolenwages@au.gt.com. Due to a high number of emails being received, there may be delays in responding to emails. All of the information about the payments is set out above. This website is the best source of accurate and up-to-date information.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
13 June 2023
The final payments to living Claimants resident in Australia (approved by Justice Murphy on 10 March 2023) were calculated and processed on 12 June 2023. The payments were paid to the nominated bank account of living Claimants on 13 June 2023. A reminder that the payments are small as the majority of the funds have already been paid to Claimants and Registered Representatives and when the payment appears in the bank account of living Claimants will depend on the payment processing times of that person's bank.
A list of the amount of final payments to each category of living Claimant is set out below. The categories were determined by the Federal Court:
- Aboriginal male born between 12/10/1911 – 30/10/1936 - $336.65
- Aboriginal female born between 12/10/1911 – 30/10/1936 - $269.32
- Aboriginal male born before 12/10/1911 or between 31/10/1936 – 18/11/1947 - $302.99
- Aboriginal female born before 12/10/1911 or between 31/10/1936 – 18/11/1947 - $242.39
- Aboriginal male born between 19/11/1947 – 04/12/1958 - $269.32
- Aboriginal female born between 19/11/1947 – 04/12/1958 - $215.46
- Torres Strait Islander male born on or before 04/12/1958 - $168.33
- Torres Strait Islander female born on or before 04/12/1958 - $134.66
A further reminder that we are unable to provide information via telephone. Queries will only be accepted in writing by emailing stolenwages@au.gt.com. Due to a high number of emails being received, there may be delays in responding to emails. All of the information about the payments is set out above. This website is the best source of accurate and up-to-date information.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
13 June 2023
Update #22
Final payment
On 10 March 2023, Justice Murphy in the Federal Court made orders to distribute the small amount of residual money held in the Stolen Wages Settlement Distribution Fund to a restricted class of people. This will be the final payment from the fund and as previously advised this will be a very small payment as the vast majority of the fund was distributed in December 2020.
Who is eligible for the final payment
The Federal Court has ordered that the final payment is restricted to Claimants (the workers but not their partners or children) who:
(a) are already registered and received a first payment in 2020;
(b) were alive on 30 November 2020 (just before the first payment); and
(c) live in Australia.
This means only living Claimants (the original workers) in Australia will receive a second and final payment. No distribution will be made to any other person—i.e. no second payment will be made to Registered Representatives for a Deceased Claimant (spouses or children) or Claimants living overseas. As there is only a small amount of money remaining, making a second payment only to living Claimants in Australia will mean they will receive a small but larger payment than if the remaining money was distributed to all Claimants and Registered Representatives.
A reminder that registrations closed on 21 November 2019 and no new registrations can be accepted. The second and final payment will only be made to living Claimants who are already registered and received a first payment in 2020. The Federal Court has ordered that there will not be any further Stolen Wages claims in Queensland or any new registrations.
What if a living Claimant has passed away since 1 December 2020
If a living Claimant has passed away after 1 December 2020, they are still entitled to receive a second payment. The payment will be made to the nominated bank account of the person. If that bank account has closed, the executor or administrator of the estate of the living Claimant that passed away after 1 December 2022 must complete the Bank account details or change form available under the Documents tab on this website and email the completed form to stolenwages@au.gt.com along with a copy of the grant of probate or letters of administration appointing that person as the executor or administrator to act on behalf of the estate of the person. Please submit the form and supporting documents, if you need to, before close of business on Friday, 21 April 2023.
When will payments be made
The Federal Court has ordered that the final small payment has to be made by 12 June 2023. However, we are hoping to make the final payment before this date. The original advice was that we were aiming to make the payment by 30 April 2023, but this date has been delayed due to a high volume of correspondence and bank change forms that have been received and need to be processed, as well as finalising the matters required by the Federal Court in its orders on 10 March 2023. We will provide a further update on this website when we know the date of the final small payment to living Claimants in Australia and the amount of the payment.
When the payment appears in the bank account of living Claimants in Australia will depend on the payment processing times of that person's bank. We do not have control over when the bank deposits the payment into a person's bank account and you should direct any such questions to your bank.
Is your bank account up to date?
The final small payment to living Claimants in Australia will be paid to the bank account nominated in 2020. If your bank details have changed you will need to complete a Bank account details or change form available under the Documents tab on this website and email the completed form to stolenwages@au.gt.com.
Please submit the form, if you need to, before close of business on Friday, 21 April 2023.
You only have to submit a form if you have changed your bank account since 2020. If you haven’t changed your bank account you don’t have to complete the form or do anything else.
Questions about your payment
The Stolen Wages Information Centre has closed and our staff are therefore unable to answer specific questions about the amount and date of the final small payments. Once we have made the final calculations we will put information on this website via a further update about the amount of the final small payment to living Claimants in Australia. If you have questions please visit this website, which contains all of the most current and up to date information.
As the Federal Court has ordered that there will not be any further payments to Registered Representatives (partners or children of deceased Claimants) or overseas Claimants, we are also unable to answer any questions from anyone other than living Claimants.
If you have a question that you cannot find an answer to on our website, please email your question to stolenwages@au.gt.com and we will respond to you in writing as quickly as possible. Please note that we will be prioritising questions from living Claimants. Please DO NOT TELEPHONE as the Stolen Wages Information Centre is closed and you will be asked to email your query or to refer to this website.
Final report
Once the final small payment has been made to living Claimants in Australia we will prepare a final report and submit it to the Federal Court. This report will also be available on this website.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
23 March 2023
On 10 March 2023, Justice Murphy in the Federal Court made orders to distribute the small amount of residual money held in the Stolen Wages Settlement Distribution Fund to a restricted class of people. This will be the final payment from the fund and as previously advised this will be a very small payment as the vast majority of the fund was distributed in December 2020.
Who is eligible for the final payment
The Federal Court has ordered that the final payment is restricted to Claimants (the workers but not their partners or children) who:
(a) are already registered and received a first payment in 2020;
(b) were alive on 30 November 2020 (just before the first payment); and
(c) live in Australia.
This means only living Claimants (the original workers) in Australia will receive a second and final payment. No distribution will be made to any other person—i.e. no second payment will be made to Registered Representatives for a Deceased Claimant (spouses or children) or Claimants living overseas. As there is only a small amount of money remaining, making a second payment only to living Claimants in Australia will mean they will receive a small but larger payment than if the remaining money was distributed to all Claimants and Registered Representatives.
A reminder that registrations closed on 21 November 2019 and no new registrations can be accepted. The second and final payment will only be made to living Claimants who are already registered and received a first payment in 2020. The Federal Court has ordered that there will not be any further Stolen Wages claims in Queensland or any new registrations.
What if a living Claimant has passed away since 1 December 2020
If a living Claimant has passed away after 1 December 2020, they are still entitled to receive a second payment. The payment will be made to the nominated bank account of the person. If that bank account has closed, the executor or administrator of the estate of the living Claimant that passed away after 1 December 2022 must complete the Bank account details or change form available under the Documents tab on this website and email the completed form to stolenwages@au.gt.com along with a copy of the grant of probate or letters of administration appointing that person as the executor or administrator to act on behalf of the estate of the person. Please submit the form and supporting documents, if you need to, before close of business on Friday, 21 April 2023.
When will payments be made
The Federal Court has ordered that the final small payment has to be made by 12 June 2023. However, we are hoping to make the final payment before this date. The original advice was that we were aiming to make the payment by 30 April 2023, but this date has been delayed due to a high volume of correspondence and bank change forms that have been received and need to be processed, as well as finalising the matters required by the Federal Court in its orders on 10 March 2023. We will provide a further update on this website when we know the date of the final small payment to living Claimants in Australia and the amount of the payment.
When the payment appears in the bank account of living Claimants in Australia will depend on the payment processing times of that person's bank. We do not have control over when the bank deposits the payment into a person's bank account and you should direct any such questions to your bank.
Is your bank account up to date?
The final small payment to living Claimants in Australia will be paid to the bank account nominated in 2020. If your bank details have changed you will need to complete a Bank account details or change form available under the Documents tab on this website and email the completed form to stolenwages@au.gt.com.
Please submit the form, if you need to, before close of business on Friday, 21 April 2023.
You only have to submit a form if you have changed your bank account since 2020. If you haven’t changed your bank account you don’t have to complete the form or do anything else.
Questions about your payment
The Stolen Wages Information Centre has closed and our staff are therefore unable to answer specific questions about the amount and date of the final small payments. Once we have made the final calculations we will put information on this website via a further update about the amount of the final small payment to living Claimants in Australia. If you have questions please visit this website, which contains all of the most current and up to date information.
As the Federal Court has ordered that there will not be any further payments to Registered Representatives (partners or children of deceased Claimants) or overseas Claimants, we are also unable to answer any questions from anyone other than living Claimants.
If you have a question that you cannot find an answer to on our website, please email your question to stolenwages@au.gt.com and we will respond to you in writing as quickly as possible. Please note that we will be prioritising questions from living Claimants. Please DO NOT TELEPHONE as the Stolen Wages Information Centre is closed and you will be asked to email your query or to refer to this website.
Final report
Once the final small payment has been made to living Claimants in Australia we will prepare a final report and submit it to the Federal Court. This report will also be available on this website.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
23 March 2023
Update #21
As advised in the newsletter on 4 December 2020, the Administrators retained a small amount of surplus funds after payments to claimants and registered representatives in December 2020 to meet final costs and tax liabilities and the administrators may make a further very small payment to claimants and registered representatives, or seek directions from the Federal Court regarding the distribution of any surplus funds.
Any final payment would be very small as claimants and registered representatives advised the administrators in 2020 that they would prefer to receive as much of their entitlement as soon as possible in 2020 rather than two equal payments. As a result, more than 98% of the settlement funds have therefore already been paid.
Pursuant to the Settlement Distribution Scheme (SDS) the administrators may at any time refer any issues arising in relation to the administration of the scheme to the court for directions. The administrators have consulted the Queensland Government and approached the Federal Court for directions on how best to deal with the remaining monies held in the settlement distribution fund. The administrators will provide a further update when more information is available in relation to a second payment, if any.
There are no forms or applications that need to be made. No action is required to be taken by claimants or registered representatives.
The administrators appreciate the patience of claimants and registered representatives as they ensure that the remaining small amount of funds remaining are distributed in accordance with the SDS.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
24 June 2022
Any final payment would be very small as claimants and registered representatives advised the administrators in 2020 that they would prefer to receive as much of their entitlement as soon as possible in 2020 rather than two equal payments. As a result, more than 98% of the settlement funds have therefore already been paid.
Pursuant to the Settlement Distribution Scheme (SDS) the administrators may at any time refer any issues arising in relation to the administration of the scheme to the court for directions. The administrators have consulted the Queensland Government and approached the Federal Court for directions on how best to deal with the remaining monies held in the settlement distribution fund. The administrators will provide a further update when more information is available in relation to a second payment, if any.
There are no forms or applications that need to be made. No action is required to be taken by claimants or registered representatives.
The administrators appreciate the patience of claimants and registered representatives as they ensure that the remaining small amount of funds remaining are distributed in accordance with the SDS.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
24 June 2022
Update #20
The Stolen Wages Information Centre is now closed and the call centre number is no longer operating or monitored.
For further information about the Stolen Wages Settlement refer to the FAQ tab on this website. Alternatively, you can email stolenwages@au.gt.com but please note this email address is not monitored regularly now that the Stolen Wages Information Centre is closed and it may take some time to provide a response.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
23 December 2020
For further information about the Stolen Wages Settlement refer to the FAQ tab on this website. Alternatively, you can email stolenwages@au.gt.com but please note this email address is not monitored regularly now that the Stolen Wages Information Centre is closed and it may take some time to provide a response.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
23 December 2020
Update #19
Distribution statements are on the way!
Pursuant to the orders of the Federal Court on 8 September 2020, the administrators are required to send a distribution statement to all claimants and registered representatives by 30 October 2020. The distribution statement provides an estimate of how much each claimant and registered representative will receive, details of the bank account that payments will be paid into, and information about how to request a review, whether tax is payable on the payments and whether payments will affect Centrelink payments.
Pursuant to the orders of the Federal Court on 8 September 2020, the administrators are required to send a distribution statement to all claimants and registered representatives by 30 October 2020. The distribution statement provides an estimate of how much each claimant and registered representative will receive, details of the bank account that payments will be paid into, and information about how to request a review, whether tax is payable on the payments and whether payments will affect Centrelink payments.
The amount set out in the distribution statements is an estimate only and is subject to change as a result of reviews, taxation and other adjustments. The final payment may therefore be different to the estimate in your distribution statement.
The first of the distribution statements were posted on 29 October 2020 and all statements will be posted by 30 October 2020. When you receive your distribution statement will depend on Australia Post delivery services in your region.
For reasons of confidentiality and to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, we will not be able to provide estimated payment amounts over the telephone.
We are still expecting to make payments to claimants and registered representatives by 6 December 2020, but this date may be delayed if there are reviews or appeals.
We have appointed Cape York Partnership to provide financial counselling support to claimants and registered representatives. Financial counsellors help people with budgeting, saving and dealing with debts. They can also provide advice about Centrelink payments and basic tax questions. If you need some advice about what to do with your Stolen Wages payment, contact Cape York Partnership on 0497 473 589. They will also be visiting Aurukun, Hope Vale, Mossman Gorge, Yarrabah, Wujal Wujal, Palm Island and Thursday Island and Cairns. The dates of their visits are available under the CONTACT US tab.
A flyer with more information about the financial counselling support available is available under the DOCUMENTS tab.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
29 October 2020
Update #18
The Federal Court has extended the time for claimants and registered representatives to provide claim data to the administrators to 5.00pm on 9 October 2020. Other orders and changes were also made to the settlement distribution scheme document. His Honour Justice Murphy made the orders on 8 September 2020 and a copy of the orders and updated settlement distribution scheme are available under the DOCUMENTS tab.
Claimants and registered representatives now have extra time to provide their address, bank account details and identity verification document (photo ID) to the Stolen Wages Information Centre. The list of suitable identity verification documents can be found under the FAQ tab. If an address, bank account details and identity verification document (photo ID) is not provided to support a claim a claimant or registered representative may not receive a payment.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
9 September 2020
Claimants and registered representatives now have extra time to provide their address, bank account details and identity verification document (photo ID) to the Stolen Wages Information Centre. The list of suitable identity verification documents can be found under the FAQ tab. If an address, bank account details and identity verification document (photo ID) is not provided to support a claim a claimant or registered representative may not receive a payment.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
9 September 2020
Update #17
The deadline to provide all information and documents to support a claim for a payment under the Stolen Wages Settlement is rapidly approaching. The deadline is 5.00pm on 28 August 2020 and the information and documents must be received by this time at the Stolen Wages Information Centre or you may not receive a payment. There will not be any extensions.
With the upcoming deadline, we are currently experiencing high volumes of calls to the Stolen Wages Information Centre and apologise if we are unable to immediately answer your call.
The following information is provided so that you can assist us to help as many people as possible:
1. Please only call until 28 August 2020 if you are providing missing information and documents to support a claim. If you are calling about something else please delay your call and refer to information on the website or emailed or posted to you
2. During busy periods we may not be able to assist you with some matters, such as the following:
3. Please have your bank account details, telephone number, address and email address ready when you call so we can quickly verify your details. You will need to provide these to us as due to privacy we cannot read your registered details out to you over the phone
4. Please turn off radios, music and TVs when calling so we are able to hear you.
5. Please don't use the speaker function on phones as it is difficult to hear if you use this function. Please speak directly and clearly into your phone.
6. We have a zero tolerance to abuse, bullying or threats. Our staff will immediately terminate calls if they experience inappropriate conduct towards them.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
12 August 2020
With the upcoming deadline, we are currently experiencing high volumes of calls to the Stolen Wages Information Centre and apologise if we are unable to immediately answer your call.
The following information is provided so that you can assist us to help as many people as possible:
1. Please only call until 28 August 2020 if you are providing missing information and documents to support a claim. If you are calling about something else please delay your call and refer to information on the website or emailed or posted to you
2. During busy periods we may not be able to assist you with some matters, such as the following:
- Registrations closed on 21 November 2019 and no new claims can be accepted
- All information and identity verification documents to support a claim must be received by 5.00pm on 28 August 2020. This date will not be extended and there will not be a second round
- Payments will be made before 6 December 2020 and this advice has not changed since 17 January 2020. No early payments will be made
- The amount that will be paid to each person will be calculated in September 2020 (not earlier) and details will be posted to each claimant and registered representative (for deceased claimants). The amount cannot be provided over the telephone
- No payments will be made by cheque. Payments will only be made to a bank account
- For reasons of privacy we cannot talk to you about someone else's claim
- We cannot accept change of bank account details over the phone. A bank account details form (on this website under DOCUMENTS) must be completed, signed and returned to the Stolen Wages Information Centre by 28 August 2020
- All claimants and registered representatives (for deceased claimants) must provide an identity verification document (photo ID or birth certificate - the list of suitable ID can be found on this website under FAQ) even if you previously provided it to Bottoms English Lawyers
- Details of community visits and the locations of our offices can be found on this website under CONTACT US.
3. Please have your bank account details, telephone number, address and email address ready when you call so we can quickly verify your details. You will need to provide these to us as due to privacy we cannot read your registered details out to you over the phone
4. Please turn off radios, music and TVs when calling so we are able to hear you.
5. Please don't use the speaker function on phones as it is difficult to hear if you use this function. Please speak directly and clearly into your phone.
6. We have a zero tolerance to abuse, bullying or threats. Our staff will immediately terminate calls if they experience inappropriate conduct towards them.
Anthony Beven and Tony Jonsson
Scheme Administrators
12 August 2020
Update #16
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
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 #15
Stolen 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
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 #14
Claim 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.
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
Scheme Administrators
16 April 2020
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 stolenwages@au.gt.com.
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 stolenwages@au.gt.com.
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: bottomslaw@belaw.com.au
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: bottomslaw@belaw.com.au
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