❓ Question regarding the veracity of claims of oppression, abuse, and intimidation at the Swan Valley Nyungah Community, and the Minister's response detailing serious allegations and intimidation faced by department staff.
AnsweredQoN 734Legislative Assembly
Asked
3 June 2003
Member
Portfolio
Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth
QuestionView source ↗
I am concerned about opposition claims that the reports of oppression, abuse and intimidation at the Swan Valley Nyungah Community are an exaggeration or, worse still, untruthful. Does the minister have further advice on the veracity of those claims? Ms S.M. McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Rockingham for the question and for his concern about the situation at the Swan Valley Nyungah Community. During the recent Estimates Committee hearings, I reported on 10 further allegations that have been made about the camp in recent months. These serious allegations were referred to the Department for Community Development and involved either domestic violence or children at risk. For the information of members, they painted a very disturbing picture of intimidation and abuse. During the estimates hearings I acknowledged the recognition by the Leader of the Opposition that the situation at the camp was untenable and unacceptable. Unfortunately, his colleagues in the other place did not agree with him. They are completely and very disturbingly wrong. In December 2002, DCD staff had to interview a child about a maltreatment allegation in the open space and in full view of other residents. The department’s workers are subject to ongoing threats and intimidation from people associated with the camp. Staff now do not visit the camp unless they are accompanied by a police officer. As recently as two weeks ago, a departmental officer filed a report stating that the officer had been threatened by Mr Bropho. In that instance, Mr Bropho raced towards the officer waving a heavy stick and shouting in a very threatening manner. That is one further example of the sorts of blockages and intimidation that my staff face in the course of their business. This officer was forced to return to the office and was considerably unnerved by the experience to the extent that the officer has now taken stress leave. Threats of serious physical violence are made against any person who leaves the camp and speaks out against the corporation that controls it. In March 2003 a 17-year-old was picked up by the police and an offer was made to return him to the camp. This young person expressed such strong fears about the camp that it was decided to take the young person to a hostel rather than the camp. In May 2003 a father was unable to enter the camp to encourage his daughter to return home. He was threatened by residents with retribution if he persisted. I reject the offensive suggestions that the department has made up or exaggerated these claims. We are dealing with a very unsafe place and people should support our Government’s aims and legislation to deal with the dreadful situation.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for Rockingham for the question and for his concern about the situation at the Swan Valley Nyungah Community. During the recent Estimates Committee hearings, I reported on 10 further allegations that have been made about the camp in recent months. These serious allegations were referred to the Department for Community Development and involved either domestic violence or children at risk. For the information of members, they painted a very disturbing picture of intimidation and abuse. During the estimates hearings I acknowledged the recognition by the Leader of the Opposition that the situation at the camp was untenable and unacceptable. Unfortunately, his colleagues in the other place did not agree with him. They are completely and very disturbingly wrong. In December 2002, DCD staff had to interview a child about a maltreatment allegation in the open space and in full view of other residents. The department’s workers are subject to ongoing threats and intimidation from people associated with the camp. Staff now do not visit the camp unless they are accompanied by a police officer. As recently as two weeks ago, a departmental officer filed a report stating that the officer had been threatened by Mr Bropho. In that instance, Mr Bropho raced towards the officer waving a heavy stick and shouting in a very threatening manner. That is one further example of the sorts of blockages and intimidation that my staff face in the course of their business. This officer was forced to return to the office and was considerably unnerved by the experience to the extent that the officer has now taken stress leave. Threats of serious physical violence are made against any person who leaves the camp and speaks out against the corporation that controls it. In March 2003 a 17-year-old was picked up by the police and an offer was made to return him to the camp. This young person expressed such strong fears about the camp that it was decided to take the young person to a hostel rather than the camp. In May 2003 a father was unable to enter the camp to encourage his daughter to return home. He was threatened by residents with retribution if he persisted. I reject the offensive suggestions that the department has made up or exaggerated these claims. We are dealing with a very unsafe place and people should support our Government’s aims and legislation to deal with the dreadful situation.
I thank the member for Rockingham for the question and for his concern about the situation at the Swan Valley Nyungah Community. During the recent Estimates Committee hearings, I reported on 10 further allegations that have been made about the camp in recent months. These serious allegations were referred to the Department for Community Development and involved either domestic violence or children at risk. For the information of members, they painted a very disturbing picture of intimidation and abuse. During the estimates hearings I acknowledged the recognition by the Leader of the Opposition that the situation at the camp was untenable and unacceptable. Unfortunately, his colleagues in the other place did not agree with him. They are completely and very disturbingly wrong. In December 2002, DCD staff had to interview a child about a maltreatment allegation in the open space and in full view of other residents. The department’s workers are subject to ongoing threats and intimidation from people associated with the camp. Staff now do not visit the camp unless they are accompanied by a police officer. As recently as two weeks ago, a departmental officer filed a report stating that the officer had been threatened by Mr Bropho. In that instance, Mr Bropho raced towards the officer waving a heavy stick and shouting in a very threatening manner. That is one further example of the sorts of blockages and intimidation that my staff face in the course of their business. This officer was forced to return to the office and was considerably unnerved by the experience to the extent that the officer has now taken stress leave. Threats of serious physical violence are made against any person who leaves the camp and speaks out against the corporation that controls it. In March 2003 a 17-year-old was picked up by the police and an offer was made to return him to the camp. This young person expressed such strong fears about the camp that it was decided to take the young person to a hostel rather than the camp. In May 2003 a father was unable to enter the camp to encourage his daughter to return home. He was threatened by residents with retribution if he persisted. I reject the offensive suggestions that the department has made up or exaggerated these claims. We are dealing with a very unsafe place and people should support our Government’s aims and legislation to deal with the dreadful situation.
Threats of serious physical violence are made against any person who leaves the camp and speaks out against the corporation that controls it. In March 2003 a 17-year-old was picked up by the police and an offer was made to return him to the camp. This young person expressed such strong fears about the camp that it was decided to take the young person to a hostel rather than the camp. In May 2003 a father was unable to enter the camp to encourage his daughter to return home. He was threatened by residents with retribution if he persisted. I reject the offensive suggestions that the department has made up or exaggerated these claims. We are dealing with a very unsafe place and people should support our Government’s aims and legislation to deal with the dreadful situation.
I reject the offensive suggestions that the department has made up or exaggerated these claims. We are dealing with a very unsafe place and people should support our Government’s aims and legislation to deal with the dreadful situation.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for Rockingham for the question and for his concern about the situation at the Swan Valley Nyungah Community. During the recent Estimates Committee hearings, I reported on 10 further allegations that have been made about the camp in recent months. These serious allegations were referred to the Department for Community Development and involved either domestic violence or children at risk. For the information of members, they painted a very disturbing picture of intimidation and abuse. During the estimates hearings I acknowledged the recognition by the Leader of the Opposition that the situation at the camp was untenable and unacceptable. Unfortunately, his colleagues in the other place did not agree with him. They are completely and very disturbingly wrong. In December 2002, DCD staff had to interview a child about a maltreatment allegation in the open space and in full view of other residents. The department’s workers are subject to ongoing threats and intimidation from people associated with the camp. Staff now do not visit the camp unless they are accompanied by a police officer. As recently as two weeks ago, a departmental officer filed a report stating that the officer had been threatened by Mr Bropho. In that instance, Mr Bropho raced towards the officer waving a heavy stick and shouting in a very threatening manner. That is one further example of the sorts of blockages and intimidation that my staff face in the course of their business. This officer was forced to return to the office and was considerably unnerved by the experience to the extent that the officer has now taken stress leave. Threats of serious physical violence are made against any person who leaves the camp and speaks out against the corporation that controls it. In March 2003 a 17-year-old was picked up by the police and an offer was made to return him to the camp. This young person expressed such strong fears about the camp that it was decided to take the young person to a hostel rather than the camp. In May 2003 a father was unable to enter the camp to encourage his daughter to return home. He was threatened by residents with retribution if he persisted. I reject the offensive suggestions that the department has made up or exaggerated these claims. We are dealing with a very unsafe place and people should support our Government’s aims and legislation to deal with the dreadful situation.
I thank the member for Rockingham for the question and for his concern about the situation at the Swan Valley Nyungah Community. During the recent Estimates Committee hearings, I reported on 10 further allegations that have been made about the camp in recent months. These serious allegations were referred to the Department for Community Development and involved either domestic violence or children at risk. For the information of members, they painted a very disturbing picture of intimidation and abuse. During the estimates hearings I acknowledged the recognition by the Leader of the Opposition that the situation at the camp was untenable and unacceptable. Unfortunately, his colleagues in the other place did not agree with him. They are completely and very disturbingly wrong. In December 2002, DCD staff had to interview a child about a maltreatment allegation in the open space and in full view of other residents. The department’s workers are subject to ongoing threats and intimidation from people associated with the camp. Staff now do not visit the camp unless they are accompanied by a police officer. As recently as two weeks ago, a departmental officer filed a report stating that the officer had been threatened by Mr Bropho. In that instance, Mr Bropho raced towards the officer waving a heavy stick and shouting in a very threatening manner. That is one further example of the sorts of blockages and intimidation that my staff face in the course of their business. This officer was forced to return to the office and was considerably unnerved by the experience to the extent that the officer has now taken stress leave. Threats of serious physical violence are made against any person who leaves the camp and speaks out against the corporation that controls it. In March 2003 a 17-year-old was picked up by the police and an offer was made to return him to the camp. This young person expressed such strong fears about the camp that it was decided to take the young person to a hostel rather than the camp. In May 2003 a father was unable to enter the camp to encourage his daughter to return home. He was threatened by residents with retribution if he persisted. I reject the offensive suggestions that the department has made up or exaggerated these claims. We are dealing with a very unsafe place and people should support our Government’s aims and legislation to deal with the dreadful situation.
Threats of serious physical violence are made against any person who leaves the camp and speaks out against the corporation that controls it. In March 2003 a 17-year-old was picked up by the police and an offer was made to return him to the camp. This young person expressed such strong fears about the camp that it was decided to take the young person to a hostel rather than the camp. In May 2003 a father was unable to enter the camp to encourage his daughter to return home. He was threatened by residents with retribution if he persisted. I reject the offensive suggestions that the department has made up or exaggerated these claims. We are dealing with a very unsafe place and people should support our Government’s aims and legislation to deal with the dreadful situation.
I reject the offensive suggestions that the department has made up or exaggerated these claims. We are dealing with a very unsafe place and people should support our Government’s aims and legislation to deal with the dreadful situation.
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