❓ A parliamentary question regarding Indigenous accommodation in Kimberley towns is met with a response deflecting blame to previous governments and highlighting current government initiatives. The exchange is heated with interjections and accusations.
AnsweredQoN 597Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
INDIGENOUS ACCOMMODATION - KIMBERLEY TOWNS
I refer to the Premier’s statement in this house on Tuesday that there has never been a state government that has done more for regional Western Australia than the one that is in power now. (1) How is it that The West Australian can publish this picture I am holding up of the intolerable living conditions in Kununurra? (2) How is it that overcrowding can continue to be so unacceptably high in the Kimberley towns like Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing and Kununurra? (3) How is it that the government has failed to construct any short-term accommodation for Indigenous families in Halls Creek or Fitzroy Crossing or Kununurra, which exacerbates the overcrowding problem in these communities? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS
I refer to the Premier’s statement in this house on Tuesday that there has never been a state government that has done more for regional Western Australia than the one that is in power now. (1) How is it that The West Australian can publish this picture I am holding up of the intolerable living conditions in Kununurra? (2) How is it that overcrowding can continue to be so unacceptably high in the Kimberley towns like Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing and Kununurra? (3) How is it that the government has failed to construct any short-term accommodation for Indigenous families in Halls Creek or Fitzroy Crossing or Kununurra, which exacerbates the overcrowding problem in these communities? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) The answer, of course, to how this could have occurred is that it has occurred because of the inaction of the previous Liberal coalition government and because of 11 long years of the Howard government during which it ignored the plight of Aboriginal people and it did nothing more than abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and say that it was no good. What did the federal government replace ATSIC with when it abolished it a few years ago when it withdrew funds from ATSIC and funds were withdrawn from all of the communities? Absolutely nothing! Then the Howard government rediscovered Aboriginals just a few months ago with its intervention in the Northern Territory. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : The Premier was of course quite correct in his assertion that no government had done more, but, yes, there is an awful lot of catch-up to be done. The fact of the matter is that it was our government that commissioned the Gordon report, that decided to open the window into Aboriginal communities and concerns, and that was not prepared to turn a blind eye to what was going on in the Swan Valley Nyungah camp and other places, as members opposite had done for years. Ms S.E. Walker : Did you go up there and have a look? No. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
(1) How is it that The West Australian can publish this picture I am holding up of the intolerable living conditions in Kununurra? (2) How is it that overcrowding can continue to be so unacceptably high in the Kimberley towns like Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing and Kununurra? (3) How is it that the government has failed to construct any short-term accommodation for Indigenous families in Halls Creek or Fitzroy Crossing or Kununurra, which exacerbates the overcrowding problem in these communities? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) The answer, of course, to how this could have occurred is that it has occurred because of the inaction of the previous Liberal coalition government and because of 11 long years of the Howard government during which it ignored the plight of Aboriginal people and it did nothing more than abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and say that it was no good. What did the federal government replace ATSIC with when it abolished it a few years ago when it withdrew funds from ATSIC and funds were withdrawn from all of the communities? Absolutely nothing! Then the Howard government rediscovered Aboriginals just a few months ago with its intervention in the Northern Territory. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : The Premier was of course quite correct in his assertion that no government had done more, but, yes, there is an awful lot of catch-up to be done. The fact of the matter is that it was our government that commissioned the Gordon report, that decided to open the window into Aboriginal communities and concerns, and that was not prepared to turn a blind eye to what was going on in the Swan Valley Nyungah camp and other places, as members opposite had done for years. Ms S.E. Walker : Did you go up there and have a look? No. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
(2) How is it that overcrowding can continue to be so unacceptably high in the Kimberley towns like Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing and Kununurra? (3) How is it that the government has failed to construct any short-term accommodation for Indigenous families in Halls Creek or Fitzroy Crossing or Kununurra, which exacerbates the overcrowding problem in these communities? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) The answer, of course, to how this could have occurred is that it has occurred because of the inaction of the previous Liberal coalition government and because of 11 long years of the Howard government during which it ignored the plight of Aboriginal people and it did nothing more than abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and say that it was no good. What did the federal government replace ATSIC with when it abolished it a few years ago when it withdrew funds from ATSIC and funds were withdrawn from all of the communities? Absolutely nothing! Then the Howard government rediscovered Aboriginals just a few months ago with its intervention in the Northern Territory. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : The Premier was of course quite correct in his assertion that no government had done more, but, yes, there is an awful lot of catch-up to be done. The fact of the matter is that it was our government that commissioned the Gordon report, that decided to open the window into Aboriginal communities and concerns, and that was not prepared to turn a blind eye to what was going on in the Swan Valley Nyungah camp and other places, as members opposite had done for years. Ms S.E. Walker : Did you go up there and have a look? No. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
(3) How is it that the government has failed to construct any short-term accommodation for Indigenous families in Halls Creek or Fitzroy Crossing or Kununurra, which exacerbates the overcrowding problem in these communities? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) The answer, of course, to how this could have occurred is that it has occurred because of the inaction of the previous Liberal coalition government and because of 11 long years of the Howard government during which it ignored the plight of Aboriginal people and it did nothing more than abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and say that it was no good. What did the federal government replace ATSIC with when it abolished it a few years ago when it withdrew funds from ATSIC and funds were withdrawn from all of the communities? Absolutely nothing! Then the Howard government rediscovered Aboriginals just a few months ago with its intervention in the Northern Territory. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : The Premier was of course quite correct in his assertion that no government had done more, but, yes, there is an awful lot of catch-up to be done. The fact of the matter is that it was our government that commissioned the Gordon report, that decided to open the window into Aboriginal communities and concerns, and that was not prepared to turn a blind eye to what was going on in the Swan Valley Nyungah camp and other places, as members opposite had done for years. Ms S.E. Walker : Did you go up there and have a look? No. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) The answer, of course, to how this could have occurred is that it has occurred because of the inaction of the previous Liberal coalition government and because of 11 long years of the Howard government during which it ignored the plight of Aboriginal people and it did nothing more than abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and say that it was no good. What did the federal government replace ATSIC with when it abolished it a few years ago when it withdrew funds from ATSIC and funds were withdrawn from all of the communities? Absolutely nothing! Then the Howard government rediscovered Aboriginals just a few months ago with its intervention in the Northern Territory. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : The Premier was of course quite correct in his assertion that no government had done more, but, yes, there is an awful lot of catch-up to be done. The fact of the matter is that it was our government that commissioned the Gordon report, that decided to open the window into Aboriginal communities and concerns, and that was not prepared to turn a blind eye to what was going on in the Swan Valley Nyungah camp and other places, as members opposite had done for years. Ms S.E. Walker : Did you go up there and have a look? No. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
(1)-(3) The answer, of course, to how this could have occurred is that it has occurred because of the inaction of the previous Liberal coalition government and because of 11 long years of the Howard government during which it ignored the plight of Aboriginal people and it did nothing more than abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and say that it was no good. What did the federal government replace ATSIC with when it abolished it a few years ago when it withdrew funds from ATSIC and funds were withdrawn from all of the communities? Absolutely nothing! Then the Howard government rediscovered Aboriginals just a few months ago with its intervention in the Northern Territory. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : The Premier was of course quite correct in his assertion that no government had done more, but, yes, there is an awful lot of catch-up to be done. The fact of the matter is that it was our government that commissioned the Gordon report, that decided to open the window into Aboriginal communities and concerns, and that was not prepared to turn a blind eye to what was going on in the Swan Valley Nyungah camp and other places, as members opposite had done for years. Ms S.E. Walker : Did you go up there and have a look? No. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : The Premier was of course quite correct in his assertion that no government had done more, but, yes, there is an awful lot of catch-up to be done. The fact of the matter is that it was our government that commissioned the Gordon report, that decided to open the window into Aboriginal communities and concerns, and that was not prepared to turn a blind eye to what was going on in the Swan Valley Nyungah camp and other places, as members opposite had done for years. Ms S.E. Walker : Did you go up there and have a look? No. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : The Premier was of course quite correct in his assertion that no government had done more, but, yes, there is an awful lot of catch-up to be done. The fact of the matter is that it was our government that commissioned the Gordon report, that decided to open the window into Aboriginal communities and concerns, and that was not prepared to turn a blind eye to what was going on in the Swan Valley Nyungah camp and other places, as members opposite had done for years. Ms S.E. Walker : Did you go up there and have a look? No. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : The Premier was of course quite correct in his assertion that no government had done more, but, yes, there is an awful lot of catch-up to be done. The fact of the matter is that it was our government that commissioned the Gordon report, that decided to open the window into Aboriginal communities and concerns, and that was not prepared to turn a blind eye to what was going on in the Swan Valley Nyungah camp and other places, as members opposite had done for years. Ms S.E. Walker : Did you go up there and have a look? No. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Ms S.E. Walker : Did you go up there and have a look? No. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
(1) How is it that The West Australian can publish this picture I am holding up of the intolerable living conditions in Kununurra? (2) How is it that overcrowding can continue to be so unacceptably high in the Kimberley towns like Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing and Kununurra? (3) How is it that the government has failed to construct any short-term accommodation for Indigenous families in Halls Creek or Fitzroy Crossing or Kununurra, which exacerbates the overcrowding problem in these communities? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) The answer, of course, to how this could have occurred is that it has occurred because of the inaction of the previous Liberal coalition government and because of 11 long years of the Howard government during which it ignored the plight of Aboriginal people and it did nothing more than abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and say that it was no good. What did the federal government replace ATSIC with when it abolished it a few years ago when it withdrew funds from ATSIC and funds were withdrawn from all of the communities? Absolutely nothing! Then the Howard government rediscovered Aboriginals just a few months ago with its intervention in the Northern Territory. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : The Premier was of course quite correct in his assertion that no government had done more, but, yes, there is an awful lot of catch-up to be done. The fact of the matter is that it was our government that commissioned the Gordon report, that decided to open the window into Aboriginal communities and concerns, and that was not prepared to turn a blind eye to what was going on in the Swan Valley Nyungah camp and other places, as members opposite had done for years. Ms S.E. Walker : Did you go up there and have a look? No. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
(2) How is it that overcrowding can continue to be so unacceptably high in the Kimberley towns like Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing and Kununurra? (3) How is it that the government has failed to construct any short-term accommodation for Indigenous families in Halls Creek or Fitzroy Crossing or Kununurra, which exacerbates the overcrowding problem in these communities? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) The answer, of course, to how this could have occurred is that it has occurred because of the inaction of the previous Liberal coalition government and because of 11 long years of the Howard government during which it ignored the plight of Aboriginal people and it did nothing more than abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and say that it was no good. What did the federal government replace ATSIC with when it abolished it a few years ago when it withdrew funds from ATSIC and funds were withdrawn from all of the communities? Absolutely nothing! Then the Howard government rediscovered Aboriginals just a few months ago with its intervention in the Northern Territory. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : The Premier was of course quite correct in his assertion that no government had done more, but, yes, there is an awful lot of catch-up to be done. The fact of the matter is that it was our government that commissioned the Gordon report, that decided to open the window into Aboriginal communities and concerns, and that was not prepared to turn a blind eye to what was going on in the Swan Valley Nyungah camp and other places, as members opposite had done for years. Ms S.E. Walker : Did you go up there and have a look? No. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
(3) How is it that the government has failed to construct any short-term accommodation for Indigenous families in Halls Creek or Fitzroy Crossing or Kununurra, which exacerbates the overcrowding problem in these communities? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) The answer, of course, to how this could have occurred is that it has occurred because of the inaction of the previous Liberal coalition government and because of 11 long years of the Howard government during which it ignored the plight of Aboriginal people and it did nothing more than abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and say that it was no good. What did the federal government replace ATSIC with when it abolished it a few years ago when it withdrew funds from ATSIC and funds were withdrawn from all of the communities? Absolutely nothing! Then the Howard government rediscovered Aboriginals just a few months ago with its intervention in the Northern Territory. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : The Premier was of course quite correct in his assertion that no government had done more, but, yes, there is an awful lot of catch-up to be done. The fact of the matter is that it was our government that commissioned the Gordon report, that decided to open the window into Aboriginal communities and concerns, and that was not prepared to turn a blind eye to what was going on in the Swan Valley Nyungah camp and other places, as members opposite had done for years. Ms S.E. Walker : Did you go up there and have a look? No. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) The answer, of course, to how this could have occurred is that it has occurred because of the inaction of the previous Liberal coalition government and because of 11 long years of the Howard government during which it ignored the plight of Aboriginal people and it did nothing more than abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and say that it was no good. What did the federal government replace ATSIC with when it abolished it a few years ago when it withdrew funds from ATSIC and funds were withdrawn from all of the communities? Absolutely nothing! Then the Howard government rediscovered Aboriginals just a few months ago with its intervention in the Northern Territory. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : The Premier was of course quite correct in his assertion that no government had done more, but, yes, there is an awful lot of catch-up to be done. The fact of the matter is that it was our government that commissioned the Gordon report, that decided to open the window into Aboriginal communities and concerns, and that was not prepared to turn a blind eye to what was going on in the Swan Valley Nyungah camp and other places, as members opposite had done for years. Ms S.E. Walker : Did you go up there and have a look? No. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
(1)-(3) The answer, of course, to how this could have occurred is that it has occurred because of the inaction of the previous Liberal coalition government and because of 11 long years of the Howard government during which it ignored the plight of Aboriginal people and it did nothing more than abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and say that it was no good. What did the federal government replace ATSIC with when it abolished it a few years ago when it withdrew funds from ATSIC and funds were withdrawn from all of the communities? Absolutely nothing! Then the Howard government rediscovered Aboriginals just a few months ago with its intervention in the Northern Territory. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : The Premier was of course quite correct in his assertion that no government had done more, but, yes, there is an awful lot of catch-up to be done. The fact of the matter is that it was our government that commissioned the Gordon report, that decided to open the window into Aboriginal communities and concerns, and that was not prepared to turn a blind eye to what was going on in the Swan Valley Nyungah camp and other places, as members opposite had done for years. Ms S.E. Walker : Did you go up there and have a look? No. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : The Premier was of course quite correct in his assertion that no government had done more, but, yes, there is an awful lot of catch-up to be done. The fact of the matter is that it was our government that commissioned the Gordon report, that decided to open the window into Aboriginal communities and concerns, and that was not prepared to turn a blind eye to what was going on in the Swan Valley Nyungah camp and other places, as members opposite had done for years. Ms S.E. Walker : Did you go up there and have a look? No. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : The Premier was of course quite correct in his assertion that no government had done more, but, yes, there is an awful lot of catch-up to be done. The fact of the matter is that it was our government that commissioned the Gordon report, that decided to open the window into Aboriginal communities and concerns, and that was not prepared to turn a blind eye to what was going on in the Swan Valley Nyungah camp and other places, as members opposite had done for years. Ms S.E. Walker : Did you go up there and have a look? No. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : The Premier was of course quite correct in his assertion that no government had done more, but, yes, there is an awful lot of catch-up to be done. The fact of the matter is that it was our government that commissioned the Gordon report, that decided to open the window into Aboriginal communities and concerns, and that was not prepared to turn a blind eye to what was going on in the Swan Valley Nyungah camp and other places, as members opposite had done for years. Ms S.E. Walker : Did you go up there and have a look? No. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Ms S.E. Walker : Did you go up there and have a look? No. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Dry your eyes, member for Nedlands! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We not only commissioned the Gordon inquiry, but also allocated some $75 million to address the issues there. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
The SPEAKER : Order! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : In addition - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : We commissioned an action plan. We commissioned a $75 million report. We sought assistance from the commonwealth government, and it was not forthcoming. Former Premier Geoff Gallop asked for assistance in providing relief to communities in the north of the state, and it was denied. In fact, Mal Brough has acknowledged that our government launched the most successful initiative of any of the governments that have large proportions of Indigenous people in regional areas - that was the multifunction police stations, something which I was proud to be associated with because they really have made a difference. I ask members opposite this: with the three-month intervention, or four months it may have been now, in the Northern Territory, how many people have been arrested for child abuse or interfering with children in the Northern Territory in the past four months? Can anyone tell me? Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Absolutely none! Absolutely none, because - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : - that type of short-term quick fix, “We’ve been here for 11 years and done - The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Murray to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : That kind of last-minute dying days of the Howard government action is not what works. A long-term commitment and a long-term presence on the ground are needed, and that is exactly what we provided. Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Several members interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : Yes, dozens of people have been charged, particularly in the East Kimberley of this state, and it is no coincidence that that has occurred in places where we have put in place a police presence. I know people opposite are squealing because they are embarrassed at their total neglect. The fact of the matter is that a policing presence and a proper government presence was needed in those communities a long time ago. There is no quick fix; if there was a quick fix, John Howard would have done it in the past few months and it would have worked already. The fact is that there are problems that are generational, and some of those problems will take a generation to fix. That does not mean we do not do anything here and now - of course we do something. That is why we allocated that $75 million. That is why we allocated over $45 million for additional works at Halls Creek more than a year ago. That is why we opened the hostel for the younger kiddies in Halls Creek, and why another one is due to open in January. That is why we have a commitment to a capital works program of new schools, police stations, hospitals and the like for the East Kimberley that this state has not seen the like of before. That is the kind of commitment that the Carpenter and Gallop Labor governments have made to those communities. No, the problems have not all been fixed, but the government has committed enormous amounts of money and resources to the problems. The government has put in place at Halls Creek a community reference group that is working well in the circumstances. Fitzroy Crossing is getting a new hospital for the first time as a result of the Fitzroy Futures town plan. New schools and police stations are being constructed in these communities, and it has made a difference. Yes, dozens of people have been charged with even more offences. It has occurred because the government has put a police presence on the ground and dared to open the door and look inside these communities.
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