Shine Lawyers will begin a program of free community information sessions across Western Australia from 28 September as part of its WA First Nations Child Removal Class Action.
The sessions are designed to provide Indigenous families and communities with information about the class action, eligibility and the registration process, as well as to facilitate discussions with local organisations and community leaders about how information can be shared appropriately within communities.
Caitlin Wilson, Special Counsel at Shine Lawyers, and lead lawyer on the case, noted that the firm filed a complaint in the Australian Human Rights Commission in March 2024 and filed in the Federal Court in November the same year.
"This case has been brought on behalf of First Nations families who allege they were subjected to unlawful racial discrimination by the Department of Communities in Western Australia on or after 5 March 1992," she said.
"The class action alleges the Department engaged in unlawful discrimination of First Nations peoples through its conduct in investigating parents or carers, removing and placing children away from their families, kin and community, and failing to reunify children with their families.
"The proceeding focuses on the conduct of the Department before and after the removal of a First Nations child from their family, including whether families were supported, consulted and given proper opportunities for children to remain connected to family, kin, community, Country and culture."
Ms Wilson said Shine Lawyers alleges this conduct has caused "ongoing hurt, harm, humiliation and distress for First Nations communities, as well as loss of connection to culture and cultural standing for affected families".
"For thousands of generations, First Nations families and communities raised their children strong and safe in culture. Today, First Nations children remain significantly overrepresented at every point of the child protection system, including notifications, investigations, removals into out-of-home care and permanent removals," she said.
"The community information sessions will give First Nations families and community members the opportunity to meet directly with members of the legal team, receive an update on the class action, ask questions about eligibility and the legal process, and receive support to register for the proceeding, if they wish to do so."
Ms Wilson said the sessions form part of Shine Lawyers' ongoing work to ensure potential group members across Western Australia have access to accurate information about the class action and understand how they can take part if they may be eligible.
"Our objective is not only to provide information about the class action and who may be eligible to participate, but also to listen to communities and establish relationships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and other trusted local organisations. These organisations play a vital role in supporting communities and helping people access accurate information about matters that may affect them," she said.
"We hope to meet with ACCOs, community organisations, Elders and other local leaders who are trusted sources of information and support within their communities. Building relationships with these organisations is an important part of ensuring information about the class action is shared in a respectful, culturally appropriate, and accessible way."
Shine Lawyers said in a statement on Wednesday it will conduct community information sessions and meet with community organisations, ACCOs, community leaders and potential group members throughout Western Australia.
Session details
The WA community information session program will begin from 29 September 2026. Session locations, venues and times will be published online at https://www.shine.com.au/service/class-actions/wa-first-nations-child-removal-class-action.
Community members do not need to RSVP and are welcome to drop in at any time during the listed session times. Family members, friends, support people, and community representatives are also encouraged to attend.
Attendees will be able to speak privately with the legal team, ask questions about the class action and receive assistance with completing a registration form if required.
Who is eligible
To be eligible to register for the WA First Nations Child Removal Class Action, the Department's conduct must have occurred in Western Australia on or after 5 March 1992, and a person must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and fall within one of the following groups: a First Nations person who, as a child, was removed from their parents or carers by the Department; a First Nations parent or carer whose child or children were removed from their care by the Department; a First Nations parent or carer whose child or children were not removed, but who were investigated by the Department and experienced hurt, harm, distress and/or humiliation because of that investigation; or a First Nations person, such as a grandparent, aunty or uncle, who was nominated to care for a child who was removed and was not assessed by the Department, or whose application to care was refused.
Shine Lawyers said registration is confidential, no-cost and no-obligation.
People who believe they may be eligible can register online via Shine Lawyers' WA First Nations Child Removal Class Action page, or seek support from the legal team during the community information sessions. Anyone who needs help completing a registration form can contact Shine Lawyers for free on 1800 842 003 or email [email protected].
