Unmapped Territory: Wage Compensation for Indigenous Cattle Station Workers

Australian Indigenous Law Review, Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 4-29, 2007

Sydney Law School Research Paper No. 07/51

28 Pages Posted: 30 Jul 2007

See all articles by Thalia Anthony

Thalia Anthony

The University of Sydney - Faculty of Law; University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Law

Abstract

This article traces the significant contribution made by Indigenous workers to the Northern Territory cattle industry, along with the profits that accrued to stations as a result of Aboriginal efforts and the failure of stations to remunerate them. It examines the legislative arrangements between the Government and cattle station managers that allowed the circumvention of wage payments through stations maintaining the dependants of workers. This article then considers the Government's negligent oversight of cattle stations, and the possible causes of action Indigenous workers could invoke in seeking redress in tort and equity. It goes onto highlight the conditions on cattle stations in the light of Australia's obligations under international law, which could provide a basis for a complaint to the International Labour Organization. Finally, the author argues that the most desirable mechanism for redress would be a Government compensation commission and payback scheme.

Keywords: Indigenous legal studies, Stolen Wages, Indigenous workers, Duty of care to Indigenous workers, Fiduciary duties to Indigenous workers, International law and Indigenous workers

JEL Classification: K10, K33, K42

Suggested Citation

Anthony, Thalia and Anthony, Thalia, Unmapped Territory: Wage Compensation for Indigenous Cattle Station Workers. Australian Indigenous Law Review, Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 4-29, 2007, Sydney Law School Research Paper No. 07/51, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1003314

Thalia Anthony (Contact Author)

University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Law ( email )

Sydney
Australia

The University of Sydney - Faculty of Law ( email )

2001 Sheridan Rd.,
Leverone, 354B
Evanston, IL 60208
United States

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