First Nations advocates renew call for urgent action in May Federal Budget
The liquidators of predatory funeral insurer Youpla/ACBF, SV Partners, have released shocking new data that reveals for the first time the full extent of First Nations exploitation perpetrated by the company over three decades.
The new figures reveal that over $174 million was paid to Youpla/ACBF since 1992, comprising over 100,000 individual members and over 150,000 individual policies, including policies for small children and babies. Members paid for years under the misrepresentation that they were paying towards an Aboriginal-owned funeral fund when it was not.
The role of Centrepay in this financial exploitation is highlighted with over $169 million paid to Youpla/ACBF in the period from 2001 when they were registered for Centrepay payments. The company used Centrepay to market itself as a government-approved essential service.
Centrepay quickly became the payment platform of choice for the company, extracting money from low-income households' Centrelink payments before they had a chance to pay for food, clothing or school expenses.
The Save Sorry Business Coalition, representing First Nations communities across Australia, has been in negotiations for almost a year now with the Federal Government, including five visits to Canberra to meet with parliamentarians.
This included numerous meetings with Minister for Financial Services and Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones, Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney and the Prime Minister's Office - in addition to regular meetings with Treasury and NIAA officials.
Despite assurances that the Federal Government is working on an enduring resolution, they have yet to provide a commitment that the promised enduring resolution will form part of the May Budget. This has raised concerns from advocates and local support organisations about the impact of prolonging this social, cultural and financial crisis in First Nations communities.
The Youpla Benefit Scheme is the interim scheme developed to bridge the gap while this enduring resolution was developed. It expires in late 2023 and is not a suitable long-term option. Extending it in the May Budget will only extend uncertainty and deepen the exclusion of those not covered.
Advocates are aware there is significant cross-partisan support across the parliament for action in the May Budget. There have been positive meetings and statements of support from all significant political parties and a number of key independents in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Quote attributable to Lynda Edwards, Wangkumara/Barkandji woman and Financial Capability Coordinator at Financial Counselling Australia & 2023 NSW Woman of the Year
"First Nations people are not asking for much, just a meaningful acknowledgement of the harm done and a proportionate response to their financial losses."
"A fair and culturally appropriate scheme would have options to cover those who need repayment, those who need a replacement funeral plan, and those who need a savings product. Financial counselling support would support each policyholder to make the right decisions for their situation."
Quote attributable to Bettina Cooper, Boandik woman and Aboriginal Financial Counsellor at Mob Strong Debt Help
"First Nations people across Australia have been speaking out for decades about the terrible harm caused to their families by Youpla/ACBF. Instead of closing the gap, this has entrenched intergenerational poverty."
"Providing an enduring resolution in the May Budget is an opportunity to demonstrate that the Federal Government is listening to First Nations voices and responding with dignity and respect.
"This is an opportunity for the Federal Government to take a positive step towards closing the gap in relation to Outcomes One and Fourteen - life expectancy, financial wellbeing, and social and emotional health and wellbeing outcomes."
Quote attributable to Mark Holden, Dunghutti man and Aboriginal Solicitor at Mob Strong Debt Help
"Centrepay became the payments platform of choice for Youpla to take First Nations people's money, even before they had a chance to buy groceries or clothes for their kids."
"Previous federal governments and regulators failed to regulate Youpla's predatory practices and their misleading financial products. This Federal Government now has the chance to set a new direction."
