Threats to close Remote Aboriginal Communities

Tuesday, 26 May

The WA Greens have praised the Kimberley community for its engagement on a range of important regional issues at the Kimberley Green Future Forum, hosted in Broome over the weekend.

Australian Greens Deputy Leader Senator Scott Ludlam and Senator Rachel Siewert joined WA Greens Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Robin Chapple MLC for the public forum.

Threats from fracking and large scale uranium mining, the closure of remote indigenous communities, uncertainty around the rollout of the Indigenous Advancement Strategy, renewable energy uptake in the Kimberley and changes to the Aboriginal Heritage Act, amongst other issues, were all brought to the table.

Mr Chapple said it was fantastic to be able to have a conversation with the community about issues that were genuinely important to them; regional areas, particularly the far North of WA, are too often ignored by politicians.

“For us, the Greens, it was about getting up there and showing that we care about Kimberley issues and are willing to fight for them at a state and federal level,” he said.

“As a member representing the Mining and Pastoral region it was also exciting to be able to give my electorate the opportunity to engage face-to-face with my federal colleagues just as I know they were excited to be there.

“I was personally humbled that we had such a great turnout, especially members of the East Kimberley Greens who had travelled from Kununurra and some who had come in from the desert, and such a high level of intelligent engagement; Kimberley people are passionate about protecting this beautiful and unique region and I applaud them for it.”

For comment please contact Robin Chapple on 0409 379 263 or 9486 8255.

Media liaison: Tim Oliver // 0431 9696 25          

Monday, 18 May

Greens member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Robin Chapple MLC has reminded the Government of their promise to address homelessness in Broome.

After a Four Corners story exploring Colin Barnett’s threats of Remote Community closures aired recently, the spotlight moved to Broome and its homelessness epidemic.

“A short stay Visitors Centre was promised to be built in Broome 5 years ago, but the construction fell apart due to disagreements over the location of the building,” Mr Chapple said.

“Nothing has been done since the proposal fell through, the $13 million set aside for Broome was moved to Derby and Kalgoorlie, leaving no means with which to house Broome itinerants.

“The government set out trying to solve a problem but left when it got too hard, and it seems they haven’t done anything to address it since.

“Hopefully the Four Corners program will have reminded people that the problem was never fixed and, if the proposed closures of remote communities goes ahead, it will only get worse.

“Short stay Visitor Centres are alcohol-free, family friendly sites that can cater to a high number of people for up to a few months and includes meals and access to support services.

“A centre like this would be truly beneficial for the more that 100 homeless people in Broome.”

For comment please contact Robin Chapple on 0409 379 263 or 9486 8255.

Media liaison: Tim Oliver // 0431 9696 25          

Thursday, May 7

The government’s plan for remote Aboriginal communities, reportedly in planning for the past two years, should have been a conversation first according to the WA Greens.

Greens member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Robin Chapple MLC said the announcement yesterday was, more than anything, a backpedalling attempt to quell panic caused by the proposed closures.

“Having reviewed the Premier’s ‘hub and orbit’ model I am confident that it simply will not work,” he said.

“Whilst it may sound like reform in theory this central model was trialled in the 1960s and in practice found to be an abject failure.

“They are not changing their approach to remote Aboriginal communities they are just changing the delivery of their message.

“They keep mentioning consultations that should have been undertaken first, but are still yet to happen; this government needs to stop everything they are doing and start a conversation with Aboriginal people right across WA.”

For comment please contact Robin Chapple on 0409 379 263 or 9486 8255.

Media liaison:

Tim Oliver 9486 8255 // 0431 9696 25

Thursday, May 7

An Auditor General’s report, tabled last night in parliament, has revealed dangerous levels of uranium and E.Coli in several remote Aboriginal community’s water supplies.

Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal Affairs said the damning statistics showed there was a considerable shortfall in investment in Aboriginal health in WA.

“To have communities of people in WA where the uranium content of their water supply is as much as double the level allowed under Australian guidelines is absolutely alarming,” he said.

“Furthermore, tests have detected unsafe levels of E. Coli and Naegleria in as many as sixty-eight communities both of which cause serious illness and can be fatal.

“Access to clean, safe drinking water is a basic human necessity that some West Australians are currently being denied.

“One of the matters I discussed with the Auditor General was the lack of integration of service providers to remote communities; the costs and time delay of sometimes having two service providers travel out to communities on separate days.

“The Auditor General agreed that a holistic approach to service provision rather than the current siloed approach would lead to better health and fiscal outcomes.

“It makes we wonder if the government’s proposed community closures represent an easy way out for problems such as these; an opportunity for them to ‘wash their hands free’ of problems considered too difficult to address.

“This is not a matter to ‘look into later’ or for political bargaining; closing the gap in Aboriginal health means taking revelations such as this seriously and acting upon them immediately.”

For comment please contact Robin Chapple on 0409 379 263 or 9486 8255.

Media liaison: Tim Oliver // 0431 9696 25          

Thursday, April 23

Greens member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Robin Chapple MLC will be speaking in Broome tomorrow at a rally against the government’s proposed remote community closures.

Mr Chapple said he was honoured to have been invited by community leaders to speak at the rally.

“The closure of remote communities will see an influx of people moving into regional centres, like Broome, putting extra pressure existing infrastructure,” he said.

“The government’s logic here is totally flawed; there is an already acute housing shortage in the Kimberley and regional service providers across the state will be placed under immense pressure.

“Economic and social problems will be caused, rather than alleviated, by forcing people to leave country as ties with the land form a significant part of culture and identity.

“History is about to repeat itself; the proposed closures will erode significant progress that has been made and result in generational trauma for Aboriginal Australians.”

More information about tomorrow's rally and the movement in general can be found here.

For comment please contact Robin Chapple on 0409 379 263 or 9486 8255.

Media liaison: Tim Oliver           

Mobile: 0431 9696 25