Advocates for the victims of a fraudulent funeral insurance scheme that targeted First Nations people have welcomed the federal government's response to the provider's collapse.
Youpla, formerly known as the Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund, falsely marketed itself to Indigenous communities as a Blak-owned business over decades, before folding in March 2022.
The provider's demise left thousands of families out of pocket and with no way to cover funeral expenses.
On Friday, the government announced almost $100 million dollars in payments to around 13,000 people who were affected by the scheme.
"I’m relieved. I think its a fair outcome," said Bettina Cooper, campaign coordinator for Save Our Sorry Business, which advocated for the scheme's victims.
The Boandik woman said the delay between Youpla's collapse and Friday's announcement had caused anxiety in the community, but that the government's package showed they had listened to the victim's concerns.
"Community members are pleased. It’s not everything they wanted ... but I do think its an outcome that’s going to bring dignity, options and choice."
Cash payments, funeral options, financial literacy
Beginning July 1 of this year, people who had an active policy with Youpla as of August 2015 will be eligible to apply for the redress scheme.
Affected families will have the option to reinvest in a low-cost funeral scheme or take a cash payment up to 60 per cent of their premiums, capped at the value of their payout.
"This is a very important recognition for those who were affected by this so-called Aboriginal benefits insurance scheme," Indigenous Affairs minister Linda Burney told NITV.
"I want to commend Save Our Sorry Business, who guided us through what this scheme might look like [and] how we could reach the most people."
Ms Burney said the advocacy organisation would continue to be involved, helping to guide a smooth application process for victims over the scheme's two-year life.
"My hope is ... that what we have been able to come up with will make sure that the people that have been financially affected do get a payment, and that people that have been terribly affected by this feel that they have been recognised and justice has been done."
Aboriginal communities targeted, misled
Some families reported they had invested tens of thousands of dollars into Youpla's scheme, which was beset by scandal and accusations of financial impropriety for years before its eventual collapse.
People felt that their culture and their beliefs around Sorry Business had been used against them.
Specifically targeting Indigenous communities, the business's marketing material was adorned with art resembling Aboriginal works, giving the sense it was a Blak-owned business.
Ms Cooper said when the fund collapsed, this deception was repeatedly raised with her.
"Callers I spoke to were devastated that the company wasn’t Aboriginal owned," she told NITV.
"They felt misled, they felt harmed ... People felt that their culture and their beliefs around Sorry Business had been used against them."
Though Minister Burney stressed the government's program was not a compensation scheme, but rather a payment, Youpla accessed millions of dollars of welfare payments through the Centrelink payment service, Centrepay.
Participants could have their premiums deducted from their Centrelink benefits.
Being government-run, Ms Cooper said Centrepay's association with the scheme should have set off alarm bells sooner.
"People were also devastated, [thinking] that it was a good company because 'It was on Centrelink, it must be good and right?'
"I hope this outcome serves as a warning. Businesses that take advantage against first nations communities will have action taken against them."
