Commonwealth Settles Stolen Wages Class Action

The Commonwealth government has reached a historic settlement of up to $202 million in a class action for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers whose wages were stolen from 1933 to 1971 due to Commonwealth wage control legislation. Led by Minnie McDonald, the case highlights the exploitation faced by thousands of Indigenous workers, many of whom were paid little or nothing at all for their labor. The settlement aims to bring closure to those affected and includes provisions for legal costs and administration expenses. However, the compensation is subject to Federal Court approval, with a registration process for eligible claimants set to begin in October 2024. Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, expressed hope that this settlement would address past injustices and assist in the healing process for First Nations communities.