❓ Mr. Redman questions the status and funding of the Regional Services Reform Unit (RSRU). The Minister responds, affirming its importance in Closing the Gap and addressing Commonwealth funding withdrawal, stating it's under review for alignment with government policy and is funded.
AnsweredQoN 752Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
REGIONAL SERVICES REFORM
UNIT
752. Mr D.T. REDMAN to the Minister for Housing:
I refer to the website of the
Regional Services Reform Unit. Its latest news came out in July 2018, over a year
ago.
(1) What is the current status of
the RSRU?
(2) Has the
minister secured ongoing funding for the RSRU; and, if so, how much is the
government investing in its future operation?
UNIT
752. Mr D.T. REDMAN to the Minister for Housing:
I refer to the website of the
Regional Services Reform Unit. Its latest news came out in July 2018, over a year
ago.
(1) What is the current status of
the RSRU?
(2) Has the
minister secured ongoing funding for the RSRU; and, if so, how much is the
government investing in its future operation?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) That
is a detailed question. I support the previous government's area and
particularly the member's contribution to the Regional Services Reform
Unit. It is a fundamental part of what this government is doing around Closing
the Gap. Our particular concern related to the commonwealth stepping away from
its obligation to support remote and Indigenous communities right across this
state. I have been on my feet many times in this chamber talking about the
challenges. There are 165 remote communities from here to the South Australian
border, covering 2.5 million square kilometres. Service delivery in that
environment is the most difficult in the world.
�The Regional
Services Reform Unit is a part of the Department of Communities, which was reformed
under the machinery-of-government changes, and is a fundamental part of this
government's approach to closing the gap as we transitioned from the
commonwealth walking away from remote and Indigenous housing to make sure we
are doing what we can as a state to support those communities and create a genuine
opportunity for independence for First Nation Australians.
�In relation to
the question the member asked around the RSRU, it is under review only insofar
as it brings itself in line with the general government policy around
machinery-of-government changes and operates under the changing environment,
led by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and the Premier through DPC, to
ensure we have a joined strategy, if you like, to get the collective impact required
across the public sector to get the outcome. It is not dead—no. It is
funded—yes. It will evolve as the system changes and as we bring it
into line with a whole-of-government approach so that we are speaking with one
voice across government to the commonwealth and holding it to account for the
outcomes.
I would like to take the opportunity
to thank the lead of that agency, Paul Isaachsen, who has done an outstanding
job on the road map that the member for Warren–Blackwood started, and
will continue that conversation with Indigenous people. One thing we will not
do is what the former government did under Colin Barnett; that is, force the
closures of remote communities. It is the most injudicious thing a Premier
could ever say.
Several members
interjected.
Mr P.C. TINLEY :
Does the Leader of the Opposition say that he did not say that?
Mrs L.M.
Harvey : Which community did we force the closure of?
Mr P.C. TINLEY :
He said, and I will get you the quote —
Mrs L.M.
Harvey : Which community did we force the closure of?
Mr P.C. TINLEY : I will get
the quote in which he came out in public and said, ''We will force
closures of remote communities.'' He
said it! He even pleaded with people on the front steps of Parliament, in some
weird way, and said , ''Please, I am the downtrodden. Walk a mile
in my shoes''! He actually said that. He showed absolute indifference to
the plight of First Nation Western Australians, who deserve a little better.
is a detailed question. I support the previous government's area and
particularly the member's contribution to the Regional Services Reform
Unit. It is a fundamental part of what this government is doing around Closing
the Gap. Our particular concern related to the commonwealth stepping away from
its obligation to support remote and Indigenous communities right across this
state. I have been on my feet many times in this chamber talking about the
challenges. There are 165 remote communities from here to the South Australian
border, covering 2.5 million square kilometres. Service delivery in that
environment is the most difficult in the world.
�The Regional
Services Reform Unit is a part of the Department of Communities, which was reformed
under the machinery-of-government changes, and is a fundamental part of this
government's approach to closing the gap as we transitioned from the
commonwealth walking away from remote and Indigenous housing to make sure we
are doing what we can as a state to support those communities and create a genuine
opportunity for independence for First Nation Australians.
�In relation to
the question the member asked around the RSRU, it is under review only insofar
as it brings itself in line with the general government policy around
machinery-of-government changes and operates under the changing environment,
led by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and the Premier through DPC, to
ensure we have a joined strategy, if you like, to get the collective impact required
across the public sector to get the outcome. It is not dead—no. It is
funded—yes. It will evolve as the system changes and as we bring it
into line with a whole-of-government approach so that we are speaking with one
voice across government to the commonwealth and holding it to account for the
outcomes.
I would like to take the opportunity
to thank the lead of that agency, Paul Isaachsen, who has done an outstanding
job on the road map that the member for Warren–Blackwood started, and
will continue that conversation with Indigenous people. One thing we will not
do is what the former government did under Colin Barnett; that is, force the
closures of remote communities. It is the most injudicious thing a Premier
could ever say.
Several members
interjected.
Mr P.C. TINLEY :
Does the Leader of the Opposition say that he did not say that?
Mrs L.M.
Harvey : Which community did we force the closure of?
Mr P.C. TINLEY :
He said, and I will get you the quote —
Mrs L.M.
Harvey : Which community did we force the closure of?
Mr P.C. TINLEY : I will get
the quote in which he came out in public and said, ''We will force
closures of remote communities.'' He
said it! He even pleaded with people on the front steps of Parliament, in some
weird way, and said , ''Please, I am the downtrodden. Walk a mile
in my shoes''! He actually said that. He showed absolute indifference to
the plight of First Nation Western Australians, who deserve a little better.
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