- Liam ___________________________ . In The Spirit Of Crazy Horse http://itsoch.hypermart.net KOLA Action Group http://kola-hq.hypermart.net Journey of Healing http://www.journeyofhealing.com .___________________________ -----Original Message----- From: WebCentral <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Tuesday, June 01, 1999 1:13 PM Subject: [atsic] Media Release: Queensland government's admission of wages injustice 'historic' - ATSIC > Media Release 1 June 1999 > >Queensland government's admission of wages injustice 'historic' - ATSIC > >The Queensland government's decision to compensate former indigenous >employees who were underpaid by the government, has been welcomed by ATSIC >Commissioner for North Queensland and Chairman of the Queensland Indigenous >Working Group, Terry O'Shane. > >He says the decision by the government to finally make some amends is >"historic" and that "the Beattie Labor government, in particular the >Minister who took the submission to cabinet, Judy Spence, should be >applauded." > >Cmr O'Shane said "it should be remembered successive Queensland governments, >including the Goss Labor government, had refused to do so, despite >Indigenous people and their representatives fighting Queensland governments >over the issue since the 1970's . > >"These governments had forced the wronged indigenous workers to take their >case to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission, for some >justice." > >For the estimated 3,500 former Queensland government workers expected to be >able to receive compensation, he said that this meant that " they will >finally get a modicum of justice, but justice which is long overdue and >been a long time in coming." > >"Nevertheless, this is an important decision. > >"It does give some justice and puts some substance into the process of >reconciliation and tries to make some tangible amends for some of the >wrongs, the illegalities and race based mistakes of past policies. > >"The government has finally made an admission that these people had been >underpaid, there was a shortfall in their wages and they have been >discriminated against -on the basis of their race and by these past >policies." > >But Commissioner O'Shane also said the $7,000 "compensation" may not be >adequate for all the circumstances of the people affected. > >He noted the government's announcement stated that the $7,000 figure paid to >Palm Islanders was for " racial discrimination, not an attempt to estimate >every single person's precise entitlement." > >"It is possible that some could be entitled to far more than $7000. However, >these people would have the option and a legal right to take other action. > >"However, I understand that they would not be eligible for the $7000 from >the government, and they would face the likelihood of lengthy legal action >and the difficulty of producing detailed records > >"It will be important that this process being set up by the government gives >them appropriate information and access to advice . > >"Given the age of many of the people affected, this process to be set up by >the government and involving the Brisbane based Indigenous organisation >FAIRA, remains a pretty fair start to making some long overdue amends. " > >He said indigenous people would want to find out more of the detail about >the government's decision and about the process and parameters to be >developed as " the devil was often in the detail. " > >Media Contact: Terry O'Shane Mobile: 0417 764 992 > > >Craig Sproule >Craig Sproule >Office of Public Affairs >Ph: 02 6289 3450 >Fax: 02 6282 2854 > >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > ------------------------------------------------------- RecOzNet2 has a page @ http://www.green.net.au/recoznet2 and is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/ To unsubscribe from this list, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED], and in the body of the message, include the words: unsubscribe announce or click here mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20announce This posting is provided to the individual members of this group without permission from the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship and research under the "fair use" provisions of the Federal copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner, except for "fair use." RecOzNet2 is archived for members @ http://www.mail-archive.com/
