❓ Opposition Leader questions the Premier on the withdrawal of state funding for the Kimberley Interpreting Service and its impact on reducing Aboriginal incarceration rates. Premier defends the government's record on Indigenous affairs, highlighting the Noongar settlement.
AnsweredQoN 920Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
KIMBERLEY INTERPRETING SERVICE
920. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I ask a supplementary question. I refer to the Premier's
comments during a rally outside this building attended by Indigenous and
non-Indigenous Australians in relation to Aboriginal incarceration in which he
said he would do everything possible to keep Aboriginal people out of prison.
How does withdrawing state funding assist that aim?
920. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I ask a supplementary question. I refer to the Premier's
comments during a rally outside this building attended by Indigenous and
non-Indigenous Australians in relation to Aboriginal incarceration in which he
said he would do everything possible to keep Aboriginal people out of prison.
How does withdrawing state funding assist that aim?
AnswerView source ↗
Commonwealth funding was withdrawn—and state funding
also. The service was advised about two years ago. I do intend to do all that I
can —
Mr
M. McGowan : That's great stuff!
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, it is just pointless again.
The
SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I intend to do all that I can as Premier to improve the
situation with respect to the imprisonment of Aboriginal people.
Mr
M. McGowan : It's hypocrisy.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : ''Hypocrisy'' and ''racist'' —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Order, members! Leader of the Opposition, I call you to order for
the first time. Member for Armadale!
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
intend to do all that I can with ministers and agencies that work in this area.
This government has formed a subcommittee of cabinet to look at a range of
issues. If members look at the record of this government, we are on the verge
of reaching —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not know what they do in the few days off;
they clearly do not do any work. This government —
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : There is no point, Mr Speaker; they are not serious.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Maylands, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I remind members opposite that over the last two years it has
been this government that has negotiated in good faith with the Noongar people
for what will be the largest settlement of native title in Australian history—something
that the other side did not do. We have committed $1.3 billion—land,
economic independence—to the Noongar people. That gives hopefully a
sense of pride, economic independence and aspiration to the Noongar people for
their future. That is how we are helping Aboriginal people. That is what this
government has done. I look back to the Labor Party's term in
government and I see no achievements.
also. The service was advised about two years ago. I do intend to do all that I
can —
Mr
M. McGowan : That's great stuff!
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, it is just pointless again.
The
SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I intend to do all that I can as Premier to improve the
situation with respect to the imprisonment of Aboriginal people.
Mr
M. McGowan : It's hypocrisy.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : ''Hypocrisy'' and ''racist'' —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Order, members! Leader of the Opposition, I call you to order for
the first time. Member for Armadale!
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
intend to do all that I can with ministers and agencies that work in this area.
This government has formed a subcommittee of cabinet to look at a range of
issues. If members look at the record of this government, we are on the verge
of reaching —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not know what they do in the few days off;
they clearly do not do any work. This government —
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : There is no point, Mr Speaker; they are not serious.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Maylands, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I remind members opposite that over the last two years it has
been this government that has negotiated in good faith with the Noongar people
for what will be the largest settlement of native title in Australian history—something
that the other side did not do. We have committed $1.3 billion—land,
economic independence—to the Noongar people. That gives hopefully a
sense of pride, economic independence and aspiration to the Noongar people for
their future. That is how we are helping Aboriginal people. That is what this
government has done. I look back to the Labor Party's term in
government and I see no achievements.
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