Historic apology on behalf of State for stolen wages

• Stolen Wages apology made on behalf of the State of Western Australia
• Acknowledgement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who received little or no pay for work they did in WA between 1936 and 1972
• Follows settlement of class action led by Mervyn Street

Premier Roger Cook has apologised in the Western Australian Parliament on behalf of the State to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who worked for little or no pay in WA between 1936 to 1972.

The apology follows the settlement of a class action that was commenced in 2020 and led by Mr Mervyn Street on behalf of Aboriginal people across WA.

The class action sought justice for people who, over a long period last century, were subject to discriminatory legislation that was supposed to protect Aboriginal people but instead resulted in hardship and exploitation.

The controls imposed on Aboriginal people impacted where they were allowed to work, travel and live, how much money they were paid, how they were paid, and how they received their wages and entitlements.

In 2006, the Commonwealth Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs called on governments across Australia to pay adequate compensation for the hardships and injustices faced in this "Stolen Wages" period.

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

"In bringing a close to this part of WA's history, on behalf of the State of Western Australia, I apologise to the Aboriginal men, women and children who worked in WA between 1936 and 1972 - for decades in many cases - for no pay or not enough pay.

"While we acknowledge that many of those people have not lived to see this day, for their family members who remain, we are sorry for the hurt and loss that your loved ones suffered.

"Their strong minds and spirits pursued justice in the decades that followed, leading to this moment and the recognition they rightfully deserve.

"To you all, we say sorry."

Comments attributed to Aboriginal Affairs Minister Dr Tony Buti:

"We want to say to you that today the Government of WA recognises that those laws and policies were wrong.

"And we acknowledge the fact that those laws and policies caused great harm and disadvantage.

"I recognise the importance an apology has, as recognition, as a move towards reconciliation, and as a step in a healing process."