❓ Mr. Wyatt questions the Premier's decision to announce the closure of 150 remote Aboriginal communities before consulting with them, citing potential distress. The Premier defends his approach, citing the need to address serious issues in these communities and denying he ever said he wouldn't consult.
AnsweredQoN 338Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
REMOTE
ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES — CLOSURE
338. Mr B.S. WYATT to the
Premier:
I refer to the Premier's announcement today that he
is finally going to begin a process of consultation with Aboriginal people
living in remote communities.
(1) Why did
the Premier say he would close 150 communities prior to entering into
consultation with those communities?
(2) Why did
the Premier deem it appropriate to cause massive consternation, uncertainty,
anguish and trauma by saying communities will close before he entered into any
form of consultation with them?
ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES — CLOSURE
338. Mr B.S. WYATT to the
Premier:
I refer to the Premier's announcement today that he
is finally going to begin a process of consultation with Aboriginal people
living in remote communities.
(1) Why did
the Premier say he would close 150 communities prior to entering into
consultation with those communities?
(2) Why did
the Premier deem it appropriate to cause massive consternation, uncertainty,
anguish and trauma by saying communities will close before he entered into any
form of consultation with them?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2)
I am not a politically correct politician. If that upsets people, so be it. It
is also the case that if I get asked a question by the media, I answer it to
the best of my ability. The safe thing is not to answer it. At no stage did we
suggest that people would not be able to visit their lands or whatever else,
but I made the point that 274 remote Aboriginal communities with a combined
population of 12 000 people means the majority of those are very small
communities—sometimes, in many of them, fewer than 10 people. Is it
realistic for the government—the taxpayer—to provide services
when there is little opportunity of employment, poor results in health, poor
results in education, high levels of domestic violence—particularly
violent domestic violence—and, unfortunately, in a number of
situations, children—little boys and girls—who are not safe?
The evidence is overwhelming, tragic as that is, and is backed up by the police
commissioner.
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Indeed, not only is the evidence of abuse there; there is chronic
under-reporting of abuse. Criticise me if you wish, but I am not going to be
the Premier of Western Australia and ignore those children. I will not do that
as a person or a Premier. No-one expects change to happen rapidly; this is a
generational process that will be put underway. Mr Speaker, when did I say we
were not going to consult with Aboriginal people? Never!
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Never! So what would members opposite have liked me to say when asked a
question by the media? ''Well, I can't answer it because I have
to go out and think about it for three months and then I'll come back
and tell you.'' Sorry, that is not me. For the first time we have a
government in Western Australia that is willing to take on the issue that has
been ignored for decades.
I am not a politically correct politician. If that upsets people, so be it. It
is also the case that if I get asked a question by the media, I answer it to
the best of my ability. The safe thing is not to answer it. At no stage did we
suggest that people would not be able to visit their lands or whatever else,
but I made the point that 274 remote Aboriginal communities with a combined
population of 12 000 people means the majority of those are very small
communities—sometimes, in many of them, fewer than 10 people. Is it
realistic for the government—the taxpayer—to provide services
when there is little opportunity of employment, poor results in health, poor
results in education, high levels of domestic violence—particularly
violent domestic violence—and, unfortunately, in a number of
situations, children—little boys and girls—who are not safe?
The evidence is overwhelming, tragic as that is, and is backed up by the police
commissioner.
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Indeed, not only is the evidence of abuse there; there is chronic
under-reporting of abuse. Criticise me if you wish, but I am not going to be
the Premier of Western Australia and ignore those children. I will not do that
as a person or a Premier. No-one expects change to happen rapidly; this is a
generational process that will be put underway. Mr Speaker, when did I say we
were not going to consult with Aboriginal people? Never!
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Never! So what would members opposite have liked me to say when asked a
question by the media? ''Well, I can't answer it because I have
to go out and think about it for three months and then I'll come back
and tell you.'' Sorry, that is not me. For the first time we have a
government in Western Australia that is willing to take on the issue that has
been ignored for decades.
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