Threats to close Remote Aboriginal Communities

Tuesday, 9^th October 2018

The Greens (WA) have warned that remote communities may be closed if a stable funding solution is not agreed to by the state and federal governments.

As the feud between the McGowan Government and the Liberal Federal Government continues, Greens MP Robin Chapple said that the uncertainty in communities was causing unrest and anxiety.

“What is concerning is that the unwillingness to fund remote housing and services is creating circumstances similar to those that were used to announce the closure of communities by the previous Barnett Government,” Mr Chapple said.

“There are 1350 houses that must be built in WA over the next decade and the Federal Government has walked away from a decades-long funding arrangement. It’s shameful.

“It’s also a matter of service provision to these remote areas, which is costly but an absolute necessity for keeping these communities running.

“We know that many remote communities don’t have access to safe drinking water, with uranyl-nitrate contamination affecting renal health in several areas. So far there has been a complete unwillingness from the State Government to address this.

“The Greens have got a Bill in the WA Parliament that would prevent the closure of communities without permission. The real danger is that as services stop being provided, communities will close by default which is exactly the kind of practice our Bill seeks to prevent.

“It’s clear that the Morrison Government doesn’t give a toss about remote communities.

Media Contact: Liam Carter – 0449 151 490

Tuesday, 20^th February 2018

The Federal government is shifting their responsibilities to fund housing in remote communities according to The Greens (WA) spokesperson for Aboriginal Affairs Robin Chapple.

The State Labor government and Federal Coalition government are locking horns over funding responsibilities to housing in remote communities, with Mr Chapple throwing supporting a push to increase the share paid by the federal government.

“The Greens WA and I support the push for a funding agreement that ensures stability and quality services into the future.

“What is concerning is that the unwillingness to fund remote housing and services is creating circumstances similar to those that were used to announce the closure of communities by the previous Barnett Government.

“The longer it takes for State and Federal governments to quarrel over money, the longer remote communities will live with uncertainty for their future.

“The Federal government must come to the table and front up the money to provide quality services and housing throughout remote communities in WA.”

Media contact: Liam Carter – 0449 151 490

Thursday 14 July

WA Greens Aboriginal Affairs spokesperson Robin Chapple MLC, who recently introduced his Prevention of Forced Closure of Remote Aboriginal Communities Bill 2016, has warned the state government could be heading down a historically treacherous policy path with today’s Resilient Families, Strong Communities roadmap announcement.

“In my view, this is a continuation of paternalistic policy approach towards Aboriginal people and I would question the level of real consultation that has occurred, given the lack of real solutions contained in this document,” Mr Chapple said.

“The roadmap refers extensively to building resilience, yet research has shown time and again that this is done by maintaining a connection to country, culture and language; it is top down, ignorant policy that has severed this connection in the past and I am concerned that history will repeat itself here.

“Hiding the truth behind rhetoric will only last so long; discontinuing services for up to 129 communities is an indirect way of saying those communities will be closed.

“There are, sadly, Aboriginal people in WA who are invisible to the system – young adults and the elderly - either because they are not enrolled to vote or because they are cared for by family. I will be questioning the roadmap’s classification of those 129 communities on that basis.

“Arbitrarily taking the 10 largest communities and turning them into gazetted towns to centralise services will introduce a host of new issues that I am concerned have not been considered in this policy approach.

“Queensland’s 18 remote communities – all much larger than those in WA – were cited as an example, yet one only has to look at the situation in Aurukun over the last 12 months to see some of the problems inherent in this approach.

“Whilst I agree with the principles informing this roadmap, Aboriginal communities living in different areas are unique and exist in their current form for this reason; we must work with those communities to enhance the deep cultural, spiritual and social relationship Aboriginal peoples have with the land.

“I will continue my strong relationship with SOS Blak Australia and other groups, as well as Elders and community representatives to fight for the best possible outcomes for Aboriginal people in Western Australia through my Home is Heritage campaign."

For comment please contact media liaison Tim Oliver on 08 9486 8255 or 0431 9696 25.

30 June 2016

Today WA Greens Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Robin Chapple MLC gave his second reading speech of the Prevention of Forced Closure of Remote Aboriginal Communities Bill 2016.

The bill aims to provide surety to Aboriginal people living in established remote communities that they will not be forced to move off country, either directly or through a limitation of the municipal and essential services provided by the state government.

Municipal and essential services include, but are not limited to power, water, sewerage, infrastructure, education, health services, and waste disposal.

The bill also aims to enshrine in legislation the deep cultural, spiritual, familial and social relationship Aboriginal peoples have with the land, and would require decision makers to adhere to the principles of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Mr Chapple said the bill was a reflection of the deep lack of trust felt by Aboriginal people over the Barnett government’s ambiguous, and disrespectful, rhetoric about remote communities.

“This legislation is important in that it acknowledges and enshrines the deep cultural, spiritual, and social relationship Aboriginal peoples have with the land,” Mr Chapple said.

“I have received extensive feedback from Aboriginal elders, community leaders and organisations since tabling a draft of this bill at the beginning of last month and the bulk of that feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Taking that feedback on board there have been no changes to the bill as it stands, however I would like to make it clear that this bill is for Aboriginal people and in that regard, I welcome ongoing feedback on the wording, scope and intention of this important piece of legislation.

“Aboriginal communities are absolutely crucial to ensuring that a reform process delivers on its promise of closing the gap, otherwise there is a very real danger of history repeating itself.

“Again, it is my sincere hope that this bill will pave the way for meaningful conversation and community-driven solutions to problems facing Aboriginal people in Western Australia.”

For comment please contact Media Liaison Tim Oliver on 0431 9696 25 or 9486 8255.

Wednesday, 11 May

WA Greens Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Robin Chapple MLC last night tableda draft of the Prevention of Forced Closure of Remote Aboriginal Communities Bill 2016 into parliament for public comment.

The bill aims to provide surety to Aboriginal people living in established remote communities that they will not be forced to move off country, either directly or through a limitation of the municipal and essential services provided by the state government.

Municipal and essential services include, but are not limited to power, water, sewerage, infrastructure, education, health services, and waste disposal.

The bill also aims to enshrine in legislation the deep cultural, spiritual, familial and social relationship Aboriginal peoples have with the land, and would require decision makers to adhere to the principles of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Quotes that can be attributed to Robin Chapple MLC:

“This bill is a reflection of the deep lack of trust felt by Aboriginal people over the Barnett government’s ambiguous, and disrespectful, rhetoric about remote communities.

“This legislation is important in that it acknowledges and enshrines the deep cultural, spiritual, familial and social relationship Aboriginal peoples have with the land.

“By releasing a draft for public comment I want to ensure that Aboriginal people in Western Australia are given an opportunity to comment on the wording, scope and intention of this important piece of legislation.

“Aboriginal communities are absolutely crucial to ensuring that a reform process delivers on its promise of closing the gap, otherwise there is a very real danger of history repeating itself.

“It is my sincere hope that this bill will pave the way for meaningful conversation and community-driven solutions to problems facing Aboriginal people in Western Australia.”

A copy of the draft bill and an explanatory statement are attached.

For further comment please contact Tim Oliver on 0431 9696 25 or 08 9486 8255.