Federal government provides support for grieving First Nations people
Almost two years after the collapse of funeral insurer Youpla, the federal government has stepped in to provide support for thousands of First Nations people who lost out. For many, the package marks a win in the long fight for justice. A warning this report contains images of an Aboriginal person who has died.
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00:00 Two years ago, Nikki Foy and her mother took up the fight for justice after losing tens
00:07 of thousands in funeral insurance premiums to the now collapsed Eupla Group.
00:12 I'm just really disgusted in how they targeted us.
00:16 It was targeting vulnerable people, vulnerable communities, you know, across the nation.
00:25 While her mother did not survive to see this day, Nikki and her family are now one of 13,000
00:30 people who will recoup some of what they lost.
00:33 I hope families who are eligible can find some relief in the long-term resolution.
00:40 The Federal Government has announced a $97 million support program.
00:44 This is a very important recognition of those that were affected by this so-called Aboriginal
00:55 benefits insurance scheme.
00:57 From July, anyone who held an active policy on or after August 1, 2015 is eligible for
01:04 a bond or cash payment.
01:06 They'll get either 60% of all payments made or the benefit amount of the ACBF certificate,
01:11 whichever is lower.
01:13 I think it's a fair outcome for what it's something that's caused harm to community
01:17 for decades.
01:18 Concerns had been raised about the company for decades, including multiple court challenges
01:22 by regulators for false and misleading conduct and for breaking anti-hawking laws.
01:28 Despite this, they were allowed to deduct money from customers' Centrelink accounts
01:32 for 16 years.
01:33 If there was a problem with that company, then the government should have removed them
01:36 from Centrelink early, and they didn't.
01:38 The government's scheme will run until June 2026, easing some of the pain and suffering.
01:44 [BLANK_AUDIO]