After enduring years of horrific sexual and physical abuse, 71 former residents of a home for Indigenous Stolen Generation children in Darwin will be compensated in what their lawyer says is the largest class action in the Northern Territory’s history. They are also the first group across the country to attain compensation from the Federal Government following evidence heard by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which has been holding hearings around Australia for almost four years. The plaintiffs allege physical and sexual assaults by staff at the home from 1946 to 1980, and sought compensation for a failure of duty of care by the defendants, saying they suffered damage and loss as a result. The group’s lawyer Bill Piper said the class action was settled after a week-long mediation in Darwin.
February 16, 2017
Summit Care is set to defend a s.365 (Application to deal with contraventions involving dismissal) lodged by Borg. Deputy President Dean will hear the application at 10am.
February 16, 2017
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation-Northern Territory Branch and Lee have a s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute) to be determined by Commissioner Bissett in the Fair Work Commission Level 10 NT House 22 Mitchell Street Darwin this morning.
February 16, 2017
Jones Lang Lasalle (Vic) P/L is in a tizz over a s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute) lodged by a staff member (Walker).
February 16, 2017
The Brain Injury Association of Queensland is challenging a s.394 (Application for unfair dismissal remedy) lodged by ex-staffer (Leatham).
February 15, 2017
The RSL NSW council says it is prepared to stand aside en masse and have a caretaker put in place while claims it mishandled financial misconduct allegations are investigated – but only if it gets to choose the caretaker. The condition set by the beleaguered NSW leadership has sparked an angry response from some RSL members and deepened a stoush with the league’s national board. A message sent out to RSL members says the state council agreed at a meeting on Monday that it “will voluntarily stand aside on an interim basis pending the results of a board of inquiry into allegations of financial misconduct”.
February 15, 2017
A youth worker who alleged bullying by her department of human services manager has won a $625,435 payout after being left unable to return to work. Taxpayers will now foot the bill after Gaylene Wearne successfully argues in the Supreme Court that mismanagement by DHS had ruined her life. Mrs Wearne, 62, claimed she was relentlessly harassed by her supervisor, Robyn Skerry, over her ability, competency and, on one occasion, over the use of a comma.
February 15, 2017
An application for approval of the Whyalla Aged Care Incorporated Residential and Home Care, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) SA and United Voice SA Enterprise Agreement 2016 (s.185 – Application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement) will be now determined by Commissioner Saunders in his Melbourne chambers at 1pm.
