The statements below are Maurice Blackburn’s account of this case. They reflect allegations or the firm’s position and have not been determined by a court unless a settlement or judgment is noted.
About This Case
The CDP was a Commonwealth employment program for people living in remote communities across Australia.
Most people in CDP were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.
Under the CDP, the government had contracts with CDP providers about the requirements for people on Work for the Dole. Many people in the CDP had to work five days per week to get their Centrelink money. The government would fine people if they didn’t turn up, and some people had their Centrelink money cut off for weeks.
Source: Maurice Blackburn
Who May Be Eligible
People are part of this class action if they: are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people; and between 1 July 2015 and 11 May 2021: a. had a job plan with a CDP provider; and b. had to ‘work for the dole’ under that job plan; and c. received a Centrelink payment (i.e. Newstart Allowance, Jobseeker Payment, Youth Allowance or Parenting Payment).
Source: Maurice Blackburn
How to Register
You do not need to do anything. Group members do not need to register to be part of the class action. You are already included. We may provide updates during this class action. If you have an email address and want any updates on the case, you can give us your contact details here
Source: Maurice Blackburn
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there anything I need to do?
No. Group members do not need to register to be part of the class action. You are already included. We may provide updates during this class action. If you have an email address and want any updates on the case, you can give us your contact details here .
Do I need to pay anything during the class action?
No. Maurice Blackburn and another company are funding the class action. If we win the class action or the government agrees to pay compensation money, some of the money from the government will be paid to that company and to Maurice Blackburn for doing the work in the case. The Court will decide how much these payments will be, but you will not have to pay them from your own saved money. If we lose the class action, you will not have to pay anything.
Who is a group member in this class action?
People are part of this class action if they: are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people; and between 1 July 2015 and 11 May 2021: a. had a job plan with a CDP provider; and b. had to ‘work for the dole’ under that job plan; and c. received a Centrelink payment (i.e. Newstart Allowance, Jobseeker Payment, Youth Allowance or Parenting Payment).
How much compensation will group members get?
We don’t know how much compensation money group members may receive if we win the case.
How long do class actions take?
Class actions usually take between 2 and 4 years.
Where can I read your privacy policy?
Client confidentiality and privacy are very important to us. You can access our Privacy Policy here .
Source: Maurice Blackburn
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from Maurice Blackburn. It is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify details with the original source before taking any action.
Legal disclaimer: Information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. ClaimBar tracks class action settlements and provides updates. Always seek professional legal advice for your specific circumstances.
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