❓ Mr. Wyatt questions Premier Barnett's apparent acquiescence to the Commonwealth government's withdrawal from Aboriginal policy, particularly regarding remote community closures. Premier Barnett defends the state's position, citing the non-viability of small communities and social issues.
AnsweredQoN 892Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
REMOTE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES — CLOSURES
892. Mr B.S. WYATT to the
Premier:
I ask a supplementary question. I refer to the Premier's
statement that he has ''no option'' because the commonwealth has
vacated the territory. At every turn, the Premier is happy to challenge, cajole
and critique the commonwealth government. Why is it that the Premier simply is
acquiescing to the commonwealth vacating the field in respect of Aboriginal
policy?
892. Mr B.S. WYATT to the
Premier:
I ask a supplementary question. I refer to the Premier's
statement that he has ''no option'' because the commonwealth has
vacated the territory. At every turn, the Premier is happy to challenge, cajole
and critique the commonwealth government. Why is it that the Premier simply is
acquiescing to the commonwealth vacating the field in respect of Aboriginal
policy?
AnswerView source ↗
What a wild assumption that was!
Mr B.S. Wyatt : No.
It is correct. I quoted you—''no option'', you said.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : This issue came up in successive Council of Australian
Governments meetings.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the lack of courtesy, the lack of attention to
policy —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Albany, I call you to order for the second time. I want to hear the
Premier's answer.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
This is going to be one of the most difficult social issues Western Australia
has ever faced, and all we get is snide comments from the opposition. We do not
want this issue. We would much rather it was not happening, but it is
happening, and this was raised at two COAG meetings. Western Australia,
Queensland —
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
We do not go to COAG, members might recall. Western Australia, Queensland and
South Australia strongly made the point, as did responsible ministers, but —
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, it is pointless getting into social issues with
members opposite.
The
SPEAKER : Sit down, please. Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order
for the first time.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for North West Central, I call you for the first time, member for West
Swan for the second time, and member for Warnbro for the first time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The smaller Aboriginal communities are simply not viable. They cannot provide
education. They cannot provide health. They cannot provide employment. They are
not viable. And the social outcomes and the abuse and neglect of young children
are a disgrace to this state.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the second time. I just want
to correct my calling. I should have called the member for Pilbara for the
first time, not the member for North West Central, whom I have already called
twice.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
That is the problem of the smaller communities. How can there be employment out
in the desert? How can there be a fair opportunity for little Aboriginal girls
and boys to succeed in life? How can there be? There cannot be, and this
government will do all that we can to try to make that transition. Take some of
the bigger communities such as Balgo for example. There has virtually been
civil war in Balgo for the last three months—150 Aboriginal people
fighting among themselves. That is not acceptable.
Mr
B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I have called you to order now twice.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I do not underestimate the difficulty —
Mr
P. Papalia : Close the little communities and put them in where the grog is!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : What a disgraceful comment that was!
The
SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I call you to order now for the second time.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I have finished, Mr Speaker.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : No.
It is correct. I quoted you—''no option'', you said.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : This issue came up in successive Council of Australian
Governments meetings.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the lack of courtesy, the lack of attention to
policy —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Albany, I call you to order for the second time. I want to hear the
Premier's answer.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
This is going to be one of the most difficult social issues Western Australia
has ever faced, and all we get is snide comments from the opposition. We do not
want this issue. We would much rather it was not happening, but it is
happening, and this was raised at two COAG meetings. Western Australia,
Queensland —
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
We do not go to COAG, members might recall. Western Australia, Queensland and
South Australia strongly made the point, as did responsible ministers, but —
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, it is pointless getting into social issues with
members opposite.
The
SPEAKER : Sit down, please. Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order
for the first time.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for North West Central, I call you for the first time, member for West
Swan for the second time, and member for Warnbro for the first time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The smaller Aboriginal communities are simply not viable. They cannot provide
education. They cannot provide health. They cannot provide employment. They are
not viable. And the social outcomes and the abuse and neglect of young children
are a disgrace to this state.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the second time. I just want
to correct my calling. I should have called the member for Pilbara for the
first time, not the member for North West Central, whom I have already called
twice.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
That is the problem of the smaller communities. How can there be employment out
in the desert? How can there be a fair opportunity for little Aboriginal girls
and boys to succeed in life? How can there be? There cannot be, and this
government will do all that we can to try to make that transition. Take some of
the bigger communities such as Balgo for example. There has virtually been
civil war in Balgo for the last three months—150 Aboriginal people
fighting among themselves. That is not acceptable.
Mr
B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I have called you to order now twice.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I do not underestimate the difficulty —
Mr
P. Papalia : Close the little communities and put them in where the grog is!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : What a disgraceful comment that was!
The
SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I call you to order now for the second time.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I have finished, Mr Speaker.
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