RESOLUTION OF ‘STOLEN WAGES’ FUND GIVES NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUNG INDIGENOUS QUEENSLANDERS
The State Government announced today that claimants under the Indigenous Wages and Savings Reparations Scheme would receive a second and final payment. “Some $15 million will be paid to more than 5,500 Indigenous Queenslanders whose wages or savings were controlled by State Governments until the 1970s,” Premier Anna Bligh said.
(PressZoom) - The State Government announced today that claimants under the Indigenous Wages and Savings Reparations Scheme would receive a second and final payment.
“Some $15 million will be paid to more than 5,500 Indigenous Queenslanders whose wages or savings were controlled by State Governments until the 1970s,” Premier Anna Bligh said.
“More than 4,200 people will receive a further $3,000 on top of the $4,000 initial payment.
“Some 1,300 people will receive $1,500 on top of the $2,000 initial payment they received.
“These funds will be rolled out from May, with priority given to elderly people and anyone who is seriously ill.
“The remaining $21.2 Million and additional $10.8 Million from the defunct Aborigine Welfare Fund will now provide up to 140 scholarships annually to young Indigenous Queenslanders,” Ms Bligh said.
The Premier said the scholarships of up to $20,000 per student would allow Indigenous students to seize educational and sporting opportunities which might otherwise be out of their reach.
“The Indigenous Queenslanders Foundation will give up to 140 children every year over coming decades the chance to study for a career in the area of their choice including arts and sport,” Ms Bligh said.
“The Aborigines Welfare Fund has been frozen for 15 years – I want that money taken out of the too hard basket and put to work to give Aboriginal children hope for the future.
“I passionately believe that the new scholarship funds present a real opportunity for the youngest generation of Indigenous Queenslanders to break out of disadvantage and seize educational and training opportunities which would otherwise be denied to them.
“While some older Indigenous Queenslanders may be initially disappointed in the final payments for ‘stolen wages’ I urge them to support the Foundation to give their children and grand children the opportunity of the best possible education.”
Minister for Indigenous Partnerships, Lindy Nelson-Carr said the Foundation will have a primary charter of providing educational and sporting opportunities to young Indigenous Queenslanders.
“The funds will be invested to support hundreds of young Indigenous people with scholarships for secondary, TAFE or university education,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The Foundation will be advised by a Board which will have significant Indigenous representation,” the Minister said.
The Premier said improved education was vital for all Indigenous students, especially those living in remote communities.
“We must close the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and that means improving general health, education, employment and housing outcomes, and to tackle the hard issues in the remote communities like alcohol and welfare reform.”
Ms Bligh said she expected the funds would be distributed in partnership with organisations already proving successful Indigenous education initiatives such as the Yalari Foundation, the Cape York Institute’s Higher Expectations Program, the Pearl Duncan and the Lambert McBride tertiary scholarships, as well as various schools around Queensland.
“The scholarships will be available to students throughout Queensland and schools and universities in metro and regional areas and the organisations and schools will be tasked with recruitment and selection of the students.
“I want to make it clear these are voluntary scholarships and only students whose parents are supportive of the move will be allowed to participate.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the final payments from the Wages and Savings Reparations Scheme were an acknowledgement of the wrongs and harms caused by past government policies. “Queensland was the first jurisdiction in Australia to offer reparation for past injustices concerning wage and savings control and to make a Parliamentary apology.
“No amount of money could really compensate those Indigenous Queenslanders who suffered under the ‘Protection Acts’.
“The Government’s focus is in ensuring that Indigenous Queenslanders have the same prospects as all Queenslanders”, the Minister said.
Those eligible for further payments as part of the Indigenous Wages and Savings Reparations Scheme will be contacted in the coming weeks, with payments commencing in May.
The scholarships program is expected to begin operating mid 2008.
The $10.8M from the Aboriginal Welfare Fund will be used for the education and support of Aboriginal children exclusively. The remainder of the new fund will be open to all Indigenous students.
Scholarships are expected to range from $10,000 to $20,000.
The Public Trustee of Queensland will administer the Foundation and the Queensland Investment Corporation will manage the funds. All funding and any interest received will be put straight back into the Foundation.
Tuesday 25 March 2008
Media contact: Premier’s office: 3224 4500 or Minister Nelson-Carr’s office: 3237 0993
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