ON AUGUST 8, the Queensland Council of Unions held a rally to demand Aboriginal workers be paid decades of stolen wages. The ACTU has also announced that it will build a broad campaign so all unions “understand the seriousness of the issue”. This welcome solidarity is long overdue.
From 1897 to 1972 the Queensland government had the power to declare Aborigines as wards of the state and take control of every aspect of their lives – their wages, savings and even their children. As late as 1974 only one worker on Palm Island was paid an award wage. The exploitation continues as many Aboriginal workers today perform vital work in their communities and receive only welfare payments through the Community Development Employment Program.
Indigenous workers have displayed great tenacity in their fight for wage justice. A 20-year grass-roots campaign culminated in 2000 with a claim against the Queensland government for stolen wages, misused trust funds and unpaid child endowment, workers’ compensation and deceased estates.
Two years later, Premier Peter Beattie made an insulting offer, amounting to less than 10 per cent of the unpaid money, in return for claimants signing away their right to future legal action. The outrage sparked a wave of solidarity.
Alf Lacey, deputy chair of the Palm Island Aboriginal Coordinating Council and a campaign leader, argues this is not a “Black issue” but a workers’ issue. He says Aboriginal workers “helped make this country what it is today. But they took our money ... then they blamed us for our poverty”.
Socialist Alliance is among the many organisations which has taken up the campaign. The national executive has asked Socialist Alliance union caucuses to campaign in the union movement against Beattie’s pitiful offer and for the stolen funds to be repaid in full.
A national postcard campaign is planned. To get involved, click here to contact Christine Howes: chowes@hotkey.net.au.
Alison Thorne is a member of the Socialist Alliance national executive.