A WA parliamentary question on notice inquires about the Labor government's decision to abolish the Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council and the State Commission of Elders Council. The Minister's response is incomplete and deflects responsibility.

AnsweredQoN 86Legislative Assembly
Asked
4 April 2006
Portfolio
Indigenous Affairs

QuestionView source ↗

ABORIGINAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL - STATE COMMISSION OF ELDERS COUNCIL
I refer to statements made by the minister on the need to consult Aboriginal people. (1) Given that the Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council was established as a result of a Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, why was it abolished by the Labor government? (2) Why did the Labor government also abolish the State Commission of Elders Council, which was a statewide forum for Aboriginal elders to advise government on matters on matters of heritage, culture and land? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for her question. (1)-(2) My understanding is that the Aboriginal community itself wanted the circle of elders abolished. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council of Western Australia existed under another portfolio, and I suggest that the member for Nedlands refers the question to the appropriate minister.
(1) Given that the Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council was established as a result of a Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, why was it abolished by the Labor government? (2) Why did the Labor government also abolish the State Commission of Elders Council, which was a statewide forum for Aboriginal elders to advise government on matters on matters of heritage, culture and land? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)-(2) My understanding is that the Aboriginal community itself wanted the circle of elders abolished. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council of Western Australia existed under another portfolio, and I suggest that the member for Nedlands refers the question to the appropriate minister.
(2) Why did the Labor government also abolish the State Commission of Elders Council, which was a statewide forum for Aboriginal elders to advise government on matters on matters of heritage, culture and land? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)-(2) My understanding is that the Aboriginal community itself wanted the circle of elders abolished. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council of Western Australia existed under another portfolio, and I suggest that the member for Nedlands refers the question to the appropriate minister.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)-(2) My understanding is that the Aboriginal community itself wanted the circle of elders abolished. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council of Western Australia existed under another portfolio, and I suggest that the member for Nedlands refers the question to the appropriate minister.
The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)-(2) My understanding is that the Aboriginal community itself wanted the circle of elders abolished. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council of Western Australia existed under another portfolio, and I suggest that the member for Nedlands refers the question to the appropriate minister.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for her question. (1)-(2) My understanding is that the Aboriginal community itself wanted the circle of elders abolished. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council of Western Australia existed under another portfolio, and I suggest that the member for Nedlands refers the question to the appropriate minister.
I thank the member for her question. (1)-(2) My understanding is that the Aboriginal community itself wanted the circle of elders abolished. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council of Western Australia existed under another portfolio, and I suggest that the member for Nedlands refers the question to the appropriate minister.
(1)-(2) My understanding is that the Aboriginal community itself wanted the circle of elders abolished. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council of Western Australia existed under another portfolio, and I suggest that the member for Nedlands refers the question to the appropriate minister.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council of Western Australia existed under another portfolio, and I suggest that the member for Nedlands refers the question to the appropriate minister.
Ms S.M. McHALE : The Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council of Western Australia existed under another portfolio, and I suggest that the member for Nedlands refers the question to the appropriate minister.

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