❓ Question regarding the potential abolition of the Department of Indigenous Affairs following media coverage of the Member for Kimberley's comments. The Minister clarifies the department's role as an advocacy group, not a service provider, ensuring other departments provide adequate services to Indigenous people.
AnsweredQoN 306Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT OF INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS — ABOLITION
We are aware of the media coverage given to the member for Kimberley calling for the Department of Indigenous Affairs to be scrapped. Is the minister intending to abolish the department? Dr K.D. HAMES
We are aware of the media coverage given to the member for Kimberley calling for the Department of Indigenous Affairs to be scrapped. Is the minister intending to abolish the department? Dr K.D. HAMES
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. I also thank the Leader of the National Party for welcoming students from Falcon Primary School to the chamber. I thought they might have been gone by the time I got to my feet so we did it early. The purpose of me responding to this question is not in fact to have a go at the member for Kimberley’s comments. Since the member for Kimberley has been on that side of the house, we have got on a lot better than when she was on this side of the house. I do not know why that is. The member made comments that the very existence of the Department of Indigenous Affairs denoted racism; and, for that reason, the Department of Indigenous Affairs should not be there. I contend that that is not the purpose of the Department of Indigenous Affairs. The Department of Indigenous Affairs has two roles — Mrs C.A. Martin : It is colonially structured. It is 100 years out of date! Dr K.D. HAMES : Will the member listen for a second? I am trying to respond to the member’s genuine concerns. The Department of Indigenous Affairs has two roles. One of the department’s roles is to deal with Indigenous heritage through the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee to make sure that the heritage of Aboriginal people is properly protected. The other role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is not, as was contended, a service provider role. It has been said that, as the department provides services to people of Aboriginal descent, it is therefore inherently racist. The department exists as an advocacy group. If someone is Aboriginal and has an educational issue, the Department of Education is responsible. The same is true if it is a police matter or a community services matter. All departments, as part of their normal service to the people of Western Australia, provide services to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is an advocacy role. The department is not a service provider. The department may approach service providers, like the Department of Housing and the Department of Health, to say, “You’re not providing, in our view, the level of service you need to provide to Indigenous people that you would otherwise provide in that same way to non-Indigenous people. You need to lift your game.” It is no different from having the Disability Services Commission. It is no different from having a minister responsible for seniors. It is no different from having a department responsible for any of the other services that exist. The Department of Indigenous Affairs makes sure that other departments are connected to the roles they have. I say to the member that it does get annoying—I am sure previous Ministers for Indigenous Affairs have felt the same as I do—when an issue arises that perhaps is an issue to do with education, that people come to our department and say, “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you fixing it?” Mr E.S. Ripper : I bet that happens more and more. Dr K.D. HAMES : In fact, I do not think it does. It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: I thank the member for the question. I also thank the Leader of the National Party for welcoming students from Falcon Primary School to the chamber. I thought they might have been gone by the time I got to my feet so we did it early. The purpose of me responding to this question is not in fact to have a go at the member for Kimberley’s comments. Since the member for Kimberley has been on that side of the house, we have got on a lot better than when she was on this side of the house. I do not know why that is. The member made comments that the very existence of the Department of Indigenous Affairs denoted racism; and, for that reason, the Department of Indigenous Affairs should not be there. I contend that that is not the purpose of the Department of Indigenous Affairs. The Department of Indigenous Affairs has two roles — Mrs C.A. Martin : It is colonially structured. It is 100 years out of date! Dr K.D. HAMES : Will the member listen for a second? I am trying to respond to the member’s genuine concerns. The Department of Indigenous Affairs has two roles. One of the department’s roles is to deal with Indigenous heritage through the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee to make sure that the heritage of Aboriginal people is properly protected. The other role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is not, as was contended, a service provider role. It has been said that, as the department provides services to people of Aboriginal descent, it is therefore inherently racist. The department exists as an advocacy group. If someone is Aboriginal and has an educational issue, the Department of Education is responsible. The same is true if it is a police matter or a community services matter. All departments, as part of their normal service to the people of Western Australia, provide services to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is an advocacy role. The department is not a service provider. The department may approach service providers, like the Department of Housing and the Department of Health, to say, “You’re not providing, in our view, the level of service you need to provide to Indigenous people that you would otherwise provide in that same way to non-Indigenous people. You need to lift your game.” It is no different from having the Disability Services Commission. It is no different from having a minister responsible for seniors. It is no different from having a department responsible for any of the other services that exist. The Department of Indigenous Affairs makes sure that other departments are connected to the roles they have. I say to the member that it does get annoying—I am sure previous Ministers for Indigenous Affairs have felt the same as I do—when an issue arises that perhaps is an issue to do with education, that people come to our department and say, “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you fixing it?” Mr E.S. Ripper : I bet that happens more and more. Dr K.D. HAMES : In fact, I do not think it does. It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
I thank the member for the question. I also thank the Leader of the National Party for welcoming students from Falcon Primary School to the chamber. I thought they might have been gone by the time I got to my feet so we did it early. The purpose of me responding to this question is not in fact to have a go at the member for Kimberley’s comments. Since the member for Kimberley has been on that side of the house, we have got on a lot better than when she was on this side of the house. I do not know why that is. The member made comments that the very existence of the Department of Indigenous Affairs denoted racism; and, for that reason, the Department of Indigenous Affairs should not be there. I contend that that is not the purpose of the Department of Indigenous Affairs. The Department of Indigenous Affairs has two roles — Mrs C.A. Martin : It is colonially structured. It is 100 years out of date! Dr K.D. HAMES : Will the member listen for a second? I am trying to respond to the member’s genuine concerns. The Department of Indigenous Affairs has two roles. One of the department’s roles is to deal with Indigenous heritage through the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee to make sure that the heritage of Aboriginal people is properly protected. The other role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is not, as was contended, a service provider role. It has been said that, as the department provides services to people of Aboriginal descent, it is therefore inherently racist. The department exists as an advocacy group. If someone is Aboriginal and has an educational issue, the Department of Education is responsible. The same is true if it is a police matter or a community services matter. All departments, as part of their normal service to the people of Western Australia, provide services to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is an advocacy role. The department is not a service provider. The department may approach service providers, like the Department of Housing and the Department of Health, to say, “You’re not providing, in our view, the level of service you need to provide to Indigenous people that you would otherwise provide in that same way to non-Indigenous people. You need to lift your game.” It is no different from having the Disability Services Commission. It is no different from having a minister responsible for seniors. It is no different from having a department responsible for any of the other services that exist. The Department of Indigenous Affairs makes sure that other departments are connected to the roles they have. I say to the member that it does get annoying—I am sure previous Ministers for Indigenous Affairs have felt the same as I do—when an issue arises that perhaps is an issue to do with education, that people come to our department and say, “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you fixing it?” Mr E.S. Ripper : I bet that happens more and more. Dr K.D. HAMES : In fact, I do not think it does. It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
The purpose of me responding to this question is not in fact to have a go at the member for Kimberley’s comments. Since the member for Kimberley has been on that side of the house, we have got on a lot better than when she was on this side of the house. I do not know why that is. The member made comments that the very existence of the Department of Indigenous Affairs denoted racism; and, for that reason, the Department of Indigenous Affairs should not be there. I contend that that is not the purpose of the Department of Indigenous Affairs. The Department of Indigenous Affairs has two roles — Mrs C.A. Martin : It is colonially structured. It is 100 years out of date! Dr K.D. HAMES : Will the member listen for a second? I am trying to respond to the member’s genuine concerns. The Department of Indigenous Affairs has two roles. One of the department’s roles is to deal with Indigenous heritage through the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee to make sure that the heritage of Aboriginal people is properly protected. The other role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is not, as was contended, a service provider role. It has been said that, as the department provides services to people of Aboriginal descent, it is therefore inherently racist. The department exists as an advocacy group. If someone is Aboriginal and has an educational issue, the Department of Education is responsible. The same is true if it is a police matter or a community services matter. All departments, as part of their normal service to the people of Western Australia, provide services to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is an advocacy role. The department is not a service provider. The department may approach service providers, like the Department of Housing and the Department of Health, to say, “You’re not providing, in our view, the level of service you need to provide to Indigenous people that you would otherwise provide in that same way to non-Indigenous people. You need to lift your game.” It is no different from having the Disability Services Commission. It is no different from having a minister responsible for seniors. It is no different from having a department responsible for any of the other services that exist. The Department of Indigenous Affairs makes sure that other departments are connected to the roles they have. I say to the member that it does get annoying—I am sure previous Ministers for Indigenous Affairs have felt the same as I do—when an issue arises that perhaps is an issue to do with education, that people come to our department and say, “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you fixing it?” Mr E.S. Ripper : I bet that happens more and more. Dr K.D. HAMES : In fact, I do not think it does. It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
Mrs C.A. Martin : It is colonially structured. It is 100 years out of date! Dr K.D. HAMES : Will the member listen for a second? I am trying to respond to the member’s genuine concerns. The Department of Indigenous Affairs has two roles. One of the department’s roles is to deal with Indigenous heritage through the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee to make sure that the heritage of Aboriginal people is properly protected. The other role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is not, as was contended, a service provider role. It has been said that, as the department provides services to people of Aboriginal descent, it is therefore inherently racist. The department exists as an advocacy group. If someone is Aboriginal and has an educational issue, the Department of Education is responsible. The same is true if it is a police matter or a community services matter. All departments, as part of their normal service to the people of Western Australia, provide services to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is an advocacy role. The department is not a service provider. The department may approach service providers, like the Department of Housing and the Department of Health, to say, “You’re not providing, in our view, the level of service you need to provide to Indigenous people that you would otherwise provide in that same way to non-Indigenous people. You need to lift your game.” It is no different from having the Disability Services Commission. It is no different from having a minister responsible for seniors. It is no different from having a department responsible for any of the other services that exist. The Department of Indigenous Affairs makes sure that other departments are connected to the roles they have. I say to the member that it does get annoying—I am sure previous Ministers for Indigenous Affairs have felt the same as I do—when an issue arises that perhaps is an issue to do with education, that people come to our department and say, “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you fixing it?” Mr E.S. Ripper : I bet that happens more and more. Dr K.D. HAMES : In fact, I do not think it does. It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Will the member listen for a second? I am trying to respond to the member’s genuine concerns. The Department of Indigenous Affairs has two roles. One of the department’s roles is to deal with Indigenous heritage through the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee to make sure that the heritage of Aboriginal people is properly protected. The other role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is not, as was contended, a service provider role. It has been said that, as the department provides services to people of Aboriginal descent, it is therefore inherently racist. The department exists as an advocacy group. If someone is Aboriginal and has an educational issue, the Department of Education is responsible. The same is true if it is a police matter or a community services matter. All departments, as part of their normal service to the people of Western Australia, provide services to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is an advocacy role. The department is not a service provider. The department may approach service providers, like the Department of Housing and the Department of Health, to say, “You’re not providing, in our view, the level of service you need to provide to Indigenous people that you would otherwise provide in that same way to non-Indigenous people. You need to lift your game.” It is no different from having the Disability Services Commission. It is no different from having a minister responsible for seniors. It is no different from having a department responsible for any of the other services that exist. The Department of Indigenous Affairs makes sure that other departments are connected to the roles they have. I say to the member that it does get annoying—I am sure previous Ministers for Indigenous Affairs have felt the same as I do—when an issue arises that perhaps is an issue to do with education, that people come to our department and say, “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you fixing it?” Mr E.S. Ripper : I bet that happens more and more. Dr K.D. HAMES : In fact, I do not think it does. It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
The role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is an advocacy role. The department is not a service provider. The department may approach service providers, like the Department of Housing and the Department of Health, to say, “You’re not providing, in our view, the level of service you need to provide to Indigenous people that you would otherwise provide in that same way to non-Indigenous people. You need to lift your game.” It is no different from having the Disability Services Commission. It is no different from having a minister responsible for seniors. It is no different from having a department responsible for any of the other services that exist. The Department of Indigenous Affairs makes sure that other departments are connected to the roles they have. I say to the member that it does get annoying—I am sure previous Ministers for Indigenous Affairs have felt the same as I do—when an issue arises that perhaps is an issue to do with education, that people come to our department and say, “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you fixing it?” Mr E.S. Ripper : I bet that happens more and more. Dr K.D. HAMES : In fact, I do not think it does. It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
I say to the member that it does get annoying—I am sure previous Ministers for Indigenous Affairs have felt the same as I do—when an issue arises that perhaps is an issue to do with education, that people come to our department and say, “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you fixing it?” Mr E.S. Ripper : I bet that happens more and more. Dr K.D. HAMES : In fact, I do not think it does. It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I bet that happens more and more. Dr K.D. HAMES : In fact, I do not think it does. It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
Dr K.D. HAMES : In fact, I do not think it does. It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: I thank the member for the question. I also thank the Leader of the National Party for welcoming students from Falcon Primary School to the chamber. I thought they might have been gone by the time I got to my feet so we did it early. The purpose of me responding to this question is not in fact to have a go at the member for Kimberley’s comments. Since the member for Kimberley has been on that side of the house, we have got on a lot better than when she was on this side of the house. I do not know why that is. The member made comments that the very existence of the Department of Indigenous Affairs denoted racism; and, for that reason, the Department of Indigenous Affairs should not be there. I contend that that is not the purpose of the Department of Indigenous Affairs. The Department of Indigenous Affairs has two roles — Mrs C.A. Martin : It is colonially structured. It is 100 years out of date! Dr K.D. HAMES : Will the member listen for a second? I am trying to respond to the member’s genuine concerns. The Department of Indigenous Affairs has two roles. One of the department’s roles is to deal with Indigenous heritage through the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee to make sure that the heritage of Aboriginal people is properly protected. The other role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is not, as was contended, a service provider role. It has been said that, as the department provides services to people of Aboriginal descent, it is therefore inherently racist. The department exists as an advocacy group. If someone is Aboriginal and has an educational issue, the Department of Education is responsible. The same is true if it is a police matter or a community services matter. All departments, as part of their normal service to the people of Western Australia, provide services to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is an advocacy role. The department is not a service provider. The department may approach service providers, like the Department of Housing and the Department of Health, to say, “You’re not providing, in our view, the level of service you need to provide to Indigenous people that you would otherwise provide in that same way to non-Indigenous people. You need to lift your game.” It is no different from having the Disability Services Commission. It is no different from having a minister responsible for seniors. It is no different from having a department responsible for any of the other services that exist. The Department of Indigenous Affairs makes sure that other departments are connected to the roles they have. I say to the member that it does get annoying—I am sure previous Ministers for Indigenous Affairs have felt the same as I do—when an issue arises that perhaps is an issue to do with education, that people come to our department and say, “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you fixing it?” Mr E.S. Ripper : I bet that happens more and more. Dr K.D. HAMES : In fact, I do not think it does. It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
I thank the member for the question. I also thank the Leader of the National Party for welcoming students from Falcon Primary School to the chamber. I thought they might have been gone by the time I got to my feet so we did it early. The purpose of me responding to this question is not in fact to have a go at the member for Kimberley’s comments. Since the member for Kimberley has been on that side of the house, we have got on a lot better than when she was on this side of the house. I do not know why that is. The member made comments that the very existence of the Department of Indigenous Affairs denoted racism; and, for that reason, the Department of Indigenous Affairs should not be there. I contend that that is not the purpose of the Department of Indigenous Affairs. The Department of Indigenous Affairs has two roles — Mrs C.A. Martin : It is colonially structured. It is 100 years out of date! Dr K.D. HAMES : Will the member listen for a second? I am trying to respond to the member’s genuine concerns. The Department of Indigenous Affairs has two roles. One of the department’s roles is to deal with Indigenous heritage through the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee to make sure that the heritage of Aboriginal people is properly protected. The other role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is not, as was contended, a service provider role. It has been said that, as the department provides services to people of Aboriginal descent, it is therefore inherently racist. The department exists as an advocacy group. If someone is Aboriginal and has an educational issue, the Department of Education is responsible. The same is true if it is a police matter or a community services matter. All departments, as part of their normal service to the people of Western Australia, provide services to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is an advocacy role. The department is not a service provider. The department may approach service providers, like the Department of Housing and the Department of Health, to say, “You’re not providing, in our view, the level of service you need to provide to Indigenous people that you would otherwise provide in that same way to non-Indigenous people. You need to lift your game.” It is no different from having the Disability Services Commission. It is no different from having a minister responsible for seniors. It is no different from having a department responsible for any of the other services that exist. The Department of Indigenous Affairs makes sure that other departments are connected to the roles they have. I say to the member that it does get annoying—I am sure previous Ministers for Indigenous Affairs have felt the same as I do—when an issue arises that perhaps is an issue to do with education, that people come to our department and say, “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you fixing it?” Mr E.S. Ripper : I bet that happens more and more. Dr K.D. HAMES : In fact, I do not think it does. It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
The purpose of me responding to this question is not in fact to have a go at the member for Kimberley’s comments. Since the member for Kimberley has been on that side of the house, we have got on a lot better than when she was on this side of the house. I do not know why that is. The member made comments that the very existence of the Department of Indigenous Affairs denoted racism; and, for that reason, the Department of Indigenous Affairs should not be there. I contend that that is not the purpose of the Department of Indigenous Affairs. The Department of Indigenous Affairs has two roles — Mrs C.A. Martin : It is colonially structured. It is 100 years out of date! Dr K.D. HAMES : Will the member listen for a second? I am trying to respond to the member’s genuine concerns. The Department of Indigenous Affairs has two roles. One of the department’s roles is to deal with Indigenous heritage through the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee to make sure that the heritage of Aboriginal people is properly protected. The other role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is not, as was contended, a service provider role. It has been said that, as the department provides services to people of Aboriginal descent, it is therefore inherently racist. The department exists as an advocacy group. If someone is Aboriginal and has an educational issue, the Department of Education is responsible. The same is true if it is a police matter or a community services matter. All departments, as part of their normal service to the people of Western Australia, provide services to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is an advocacy role. The department is not a service provider. The department may approach service providers, like the Department of Housing and the Department of Health, to say, “You’re not providing, in our view, the level of service you need to provide to Indigenous people that you would otherwise provide in that same way to non-Indigenous people. You need to lift your game.” It is no different from having the Disability Services Commission. It is no different from having a minister responsible for seniors. It is no different from having a department responsible for any of the other services that exist. The Department of Indigenous Affairs makes sure that other departments are connected to the roles they have. I say to the member that it does get annoying—I am sure previous Ministers for Indigenous Affairs have felt the same as I do—when an issue arises that perhaps is an issue to do with education, that people come to our department and say, “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you fixing it?” Mr E.S. Ripper : I bet that happens more and more. Dr K.D. HAMES : In fact, I do not think it does. It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
Mrs C.A. Martin : It is colonially structured. It is 100 years out of date! Dr K.D. HAMES : Will the member listen for a second? I am trying to respond to the member’s genuine concerns. The Department of Indigenous Affairs has two roles. One of the department’s roles is to deal with Indigenous heritage through the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee to make sure that the heritage of Aboriginal people is properly protected. The other role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is not, as was contended, a service provider role. It has been said that, as the department provides services to people of Aboriginal descent, it is therefore inherently racist. The department exists as an advocacy group. If someone is Aboriginal and has an educational issue, the Department of Education is responsible. The same is true if it is a police matter or a community services matter. All departments, as part of their normal service to the people of Western Australia, provide services to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is an advocacy role. The department is not a service provider. The department may approach service providers, like the Department of Housing and the Department of Health, to say, “You’re not providing, in our view, the level of service you need to provide to Indigenous people that you would otherwise provide in that same way to non-Indigenous people. You need to lift your game.” It is no different from having the Disability Services Commission. It is no different from having a minister responsible for seniors. It is no different from having a department responsible for any of the other services that exist. The Department of Indigenous Affairs makes sure that other departments are connected to the roles they have. I say to the member that it does get annoying—I am sure previous Ministers for Indigenous Affairs have felt the same as I do—when an issue arises that perhaps is an issue to do with education, that people come to our department and say, “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you fixing it?” Mr E.S. Ripper : I bet that happens more and more. Dr K.D. HAMES : In fact, I do not think it does. It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Will the member listen for a second? I am trying to respond to the member’s genuine concerns. The Department of Indigenous Affairs has two roles. One of the department’s roles is to deal with Indigenous heritage through the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee to make sure that the heritage of Aboriginal people is properly protected. The other role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is not, as was contended, a service provider role. It has been said that, as the department provides services to people of Aboriginal descent, it is therefore inherently racist. The department exists as an advocacy group. If someone is Aboriginal and has an educational issue, the Department of Education is responsible. The same is true if it is a police matter or a community services matter. All departments, as part of their normal service to the people of Western Australia, provide services to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is an advocacy role. The department is not a service provider. The department may approach service providers, like the Department of Housing and the Department of Health, to say, “You’re not providing, in our view, the level of service you need to provide to Indigenous people that you would otherwise provide in that same way to non-Indigenous people. You need to lift your game.” It is no different from having the Disability Services Commission. It is no different from having a minister responsible for seniors. It is no different from having a department responsible for any of the other services that exist. The Department of Indigenous Affairs makes sure that other departments are connected to the roles they have. I say to the member that it does get annoying—I am sure previous Ministers for Indigenous Affairs have felt the same as I do—when an issue arises that perhaps is an issue to do with education, that people come to our department and say, “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you fixing it?” Mr E.S. Ripper : I bet that happens more and more. Dr K.D. HAMES : In fact, I do not think it does. It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
The role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs is an advocacy role. The department is not a service provider. The department may approach service providers, like the Department of Housing and the Department of Health, to say, “You’re not providing, in our view, the level of service you need to provide to Indigenous people that you would otherwise provide in that same way to non-Indigenous people. You need to lift your game.” It is no different from having the Disability Services Commission. It is no different from having a minister responsible for seniors. It is no different from having a department responsible for any of the other services that exist. The Department of Indigenous Affairs makes sure that other departments are connected to the roles they have. I say to the member that it does get annoying—I am sure previous Ministers for Indigenous Affairs have felt the same as I do—when an issue arises that perhaps is an issue to do with education, that people come to our department and say, “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you fixing it?” Mr E.S. Ripper : I bet that happens more and more. Dr K.D. HAMES : In fact, I do not think it does. It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
I say to the member that it does get annoying—I am sure previous Ministers for Indigenous Affairs have felt the same as I do—when an issue arises that perhaps is an issue to do with education, that people come to our department and say, “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you fixing it?” Mr E.S. Ripper : I bet that happens more and more. Dr K.D. HAMES : In fact, I do not think it does. It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I bet that happens more and more. Dr K.D. HAMES : In fact, I do not think it does. It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
Dr K.D. HAMES : In fact, I do not think it does. It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
It could be an issue that the education department or the police department should deal with. That is where it should lie. Indigenous people should be treated in exactly the same way as others when it comes to delivering services. We know, partly because of issues to do with accommodation, with remoteness, with education levels and with drugs and alcohol, people of Aboriginal descent often need a stronger effort to be made by government departments. That is the role of the Department of Indigenous Affairs—to get out there to make sure that Aboriginal people get a fair level of service. That is not racist. That is in no way racist. That is making sure that Aboriginal people get a fair go in this state from departments that are not racist but are supposed to provide the same level of service to all citizens of Western Australia regardless of colour or creed.
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