A WA parliamentary question addresses the Minister for Indigenous Affairs regarding the government's approach to social issues in Halls Creek, specifically concerning child abuse and the role of community support in implementing solutions. The Minister's response emphasizes collaboration with the community but doesn't rule out action even without full community support.

AnsweredQoN 49Legislative Assembly
Asked
28 March 2006
Portfolio
Indigenous Affairs

QuestionView source ↗

HALLS CREEK - SOCIAL ISSUES
I refer to an ABC radio report this morning regarding the situation at Halls Creek, in which it was reported that the Minister for Indigenous Affairs had said that she was prepared to support any proposal to fix massive social problems in Halls Creek if it had the support of the local community. (1) Is it correct that the minister will act only with the support of the local community? (2) If there is no community support, will there be no action? (3) If the government does not agree with the community and will not fund proposed solutions, will the Labor government continue to tolerate the physical and sexual abuse of children at Halls Creek? Ms S.M. McHALE

AnswerView source ↗

(1)-(2) We believe that the community expects the government to work with the community. It is quite simple. We want to develop solutions with the local community which the community will get behind and which will make a difference. Examples from the past have shown us that if a community does not support a certain facility, it will not use it, and therefore the facility will not deliver any benefits to the community. Put simply, we want to develop workable solutions which have a chance of making a difference and which will be supported by the community. (3) The answer to the third question is no.
(1) Is it correct that the minister will act only with the support of the local community? (2) If there is no community support, will there be no action? (3) If the government does not agree with the community and will not fund proposed solutions, will the Labor government continue to tolerate the physical and sexual abuse of children at Halls Creek? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(2) We believe that the community expects the government to work with the community. It is quite simple. We want to develop solutions with the local community which the community will get behind and which will make a difference. Examples from the past have shown us that if a community does not support a certain facility, it will not use it, and therefore the facility will not deliver any benefits to the community. Put simply, we want to develop workable solutions which have a chance of making a difference and which will be supported by the community. (3) The answer to the third question is no.
(2) If there is no community support, will there be no action? (3) If the government does not agree with the community and will not fund proposed solutions, will the Labor government continue to tolerate the physical and sexual abuse of children at Halls Creek? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(2) We believe that the community expects the government to work with the community. It is quite simple. We want to develop solutions with the local community which the community will get behind and which will make a difference. Examples from the past have shown us that if a community does not support a certain facility, it will not use it, and therefore the facility will not deliver any benefits to the community. Put simply, we want to develop workable solutions which have a chance of making a difference and which will be supported by the community. (3) The answer to the third question is no.
(3) If the government does not agree with the community and will not fund proposed solutions, will the Labor government continue to tolerate the physical and sexual abuse of children at Halls Creek? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(2) We believe that the community expects the government to work with the community. It is quite simple. We want to develop solutions with the local community which the community will get behind and which will make a difference. Examples from the past have shown us that if a community does not support a certain facility, it will not use it, and therefore the facility will not deliver any benefits to the community. Put simply, we want to develop workable solutions which have a chance of making a difference and which will be supported by the community. (3) The answer to the third question is no.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(2) We believe that the community expects the government to work with the community. It is quite simple. We want to develop solutions with the local community which the community will get behind and which will make a difference. Examples from the past have shown us that if a community does not support a certain facility, it will not use it, and therefore the facility will not deliver any benefits to the community. Put simply, we want to develop workable solutions which have a chance of making a difference and which will be supported by the community. (3) The answer to the third question is no.
(1)-(2) We believe that the community expects the government to work with the community. It is quite simple. We want to develop solutions with the local community which the community will get behind and which will make a difference. Examples from the past have shown us that if a community does not support a certain facility, it will not use it, and therefore the facility will not deliver any benefits to the community. Put simply, we want to develop workable solutions which have a chance of making a difference and which will be supported by the community. (3) The answer to the third question is no.
(3) The answer to the third question is no.

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