ANTaR is helping Indigenous Queensland workers fight for justice through its Stolen Wages campaign. Thousands of Aboriginal workers across several generations lost an estimated $500 million because of the Queensland Governments' negligence, through diverting withheld wages and other entitlements.
The Beattie Government has made an offer of $55 million as settlement, but this is only a tiny fraction of the "stolen wages" and former workers have declared the offer inadequate.
The issue also has national implications because many of the discriminatory practices in Queensland were also carried out in other states.
A fact sheet, news articles and campaign resources are available.
You can help to achieve justice for the affected Indigenous workers.
What can I do?
Please write personal letters to any or all of the addresses listed below indicating that the financial settlements on offer to indigenous Queenslanders are grossly inadequate and unjust. Remember to include your postal addresses. Contact telephone number(s) are required for letters to newspapers.
It would be helpful if you could also send a copy of your letter to ANTaR Queensland (details below).
You can also support the current national postcard campaign.
WRITE TO:
(1) Premier Peter Beattie Hon Peter Beattie MP Premier and Minister for Trade PO Box 185 BRISBANE ALBERT STREET QLD 4002 Email:
Fax: (07) 3224 4500
(2) Minister Judy Spence. Hon Judy Spence MP Minister for Families and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy and Minister for Disability Services GPO Box 806 BRISBANE QLD 4001 Email:
Fax: (07) 3210 2190
(3) Letters to the Editor. It is suggested that you refer to a maximum of two points only from the Stolen Wages fact sheets to keep your letter brief.
