Dear all,

This is to let you know that the NSW Government has announced that the deadline for making a Stolen Wages claim in NSW has been extended.

The new registration deadline is 31 May 2009.

Please pass this reminder on to everyone in your network, Indigenous and non-Indigenous who may have a claim or may be interested in finding out more about Stolen Wages.

We all need to make sure that all possible claimants and their descendants are registered with the NSW Aboriginal Trust Fund Repayment Scheme (the Repayment Scheme) by the May deadline.

The repayment of Stolen Wages to members of the NSW Aboriginal community is a very important issue and currently repayments are being made through the Repayment Scheme.

Unfortunately, the Repayment Scheme does not advertise its existence and so PIAC is asking you to let people know about the new registration deadline.

What are Stolen Wages?

Stolen Wages is the money that was taken from Indigenous peoples’ wages, pensions, child endowment payments, inheritances, and lump sum compensation payments. It was either not paid or was put into trust funds.

These trusts funds were administered by the Aborigines Protection Board, later the Aborigines Welfare Board.

In many cases people didn’t know that they had a trust fund existed and of course, many did not give permission for the Government to take their money.

What is the Aboriginal Trust Fund Repayment Scheme?

The NSW Government established the Aboriginal Trust Fund Repayment Scheme in 2005, to try to repay these Stolen Wages.

Using Government records, the Repayment Scheme looks for evidence that money had been put in a trust fund for a claimant and was never paid to them.

Unlike other Stolen Wages schemes, such as the one operating in Queensland , repayment amounts are not fixed. The amount owed to someone is worked out by looking at how much the money owed is worth today.

While the Repayment Scheme is far from perfect, it has paid some members of the NSW Aboriginal community, the Stolen Wages that are rightfully owed to them.

Who is eligible?

Anyone who believes they may be owed money that was Stolen Wages can make a direct claim. These might include people who were working or had children before 1969 and whose lives were controlled by the Aborigines’ Protection and Welfare Boards. If those people have passed away, their descendants can make a claim.

How do I make a claim?

If you know someone who wants to register a claim with the Repayment Scheme, they can phone,

· the Repayment Scheme directly on freecall number 1800 765 889; and / or

· PIAC’s Indigenous Justice Program Senior Solicitor, Keppie Waters on 8898 6527.

For further information you can also look at www.atfrs.nsw.gov.au and http://www.piac.asn.au/system/indig.html

Kind regards,

Keppie