Overview
Litigation Lending is funding this class action which was filed on behalf of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who worked in the Northern Territory between 1933 and 1971 for little or no wages.
Various laws were implemented in the Northern Territory by the Commonwealth Government to control the employment and wages of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and this impacted people working in many places. These workers may have been stockmen, farm hands, laundry assistants, kitchen hands, domestic workers and labourers. These workers may have been working on pastoral stations, in towns or on settlements, or in missions and other institutions.
Case Update
The Commonwealth Government has agreed to pay up to $202 million (including costs) to settle the class action for Stolen Wages in the Northern Territory (subject to the Court saying that the settlement is fair and reasonable). This is an important and historic moment for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the Northern Territory, and we are proud to announce this news.
This means, the Commonwealth Government will pay up to $202 million to be shared between all living Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who worked between 1933 and 1972 for little or no wages. If any of these people have passed away, their spouse (husband, wife or de-facto partner) or their children can register to be considered for compensation money.
The settlement amount includes up to $15 million towards Ms McDonald’s legal costs for the court case, and up to $7 million for the costs of “administering” the settlement (helping people register, checking all of the registrations to make sure people are eligible and paying them compensation money).
For more information on the historic settlement, please view Shine Lawyers media release.
If you wish to participate in the settlement please click on the link below.
