Cooperative Federalism to Solve Indigenous Problems

The Country Liberals would adopt co-operative federalism to devise a new direction to help Aboriginal Territorians break the chains of poverty and social disadvantage that bind too many.

“The unacceptable fact is that many of the efforts to improve the life chances of Aboriginal Territorians have failed to make any real difference,” says Terry Mills, Leader of the Country Liberals.

“Third world conditions are all too common within the Territory’s borders.

“A realistic appraisal of the situation demands a rethink and overhaul of the manner in which Indigenous affairs has been handled at both a Territory and Federal level.

“As a consequence, if elected on August 9th, the Country Liberal would immediately approach the Federal Government to create a Joint Office of Indigenous Affairs (the Joint Office).

“The Joint Office will co-ordinate the delivery of all government services for Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory, with its immediate priority being to take control of the Intervention.

“The Joint Office would also immediately initiate a complete review of all Federal and Territory Government funding for Indigenous affairs to assess how effectively the money is being spent and to eradicate duplication and waste.

“Independent experts have accused Territory Labor of wasting much of the money allocated to it for Indigenous affairs, so we need to how much money is being spent, where and for what outcomes.

“That review will also have to include Federal spending to get a complete picture of situation.

“At the top of the list for assessment would be remote education and the outcomes in Homeland Education Centres.

“The unacceptable truth is too often, too many Aboriginal kids at Homeland Centres don’t attend school and of those that do attend, too often there is not a qualified teacher in front of the class.

Dr Helen Hughes an expert in education has state “Many of the men and women who actually stand in front of the class in Aboriginal schools in the Northern Territory have so little training that they are not numerate, literate, or even articulate in English”

“During the campaign Paul Henderson announced $6 million to convert Homeland Centres to schools, of which $2 million has been earmarked for the Yilpara Homeland Centre to become a school.

“There are 50 Homeland Centres in the Northern Territory, of which just 3 will be converted to schools under a Henderson Government.

“Nor did Paul Henderson make any commitment to getting qualified teachers into the other Homeland Centres.

“Paul Henderson has abandoned the next generation of bush Aborigines and in the process condemned all Territorians to live with the ongoing social and economic consequences of Aboriginal disadvantage.

“The violence and alcohol abuse that plagues so many Indigenous communities will continue until new pathways are created for Aboriginal Territorians.

“It is proposed that the Joint Office will have a 21-year lifespan – from 2009 to 2030.

“It will be co-chaired by the Federal and Territory Ministers for Indigenous Affairs, and will report directly to the Territory and Commonwealth Parliaments.

“A Country Liberals Government will also establish a Traditional Owners Co-operation Board (TOCoB).

“This board will be chaired by either the Territory or Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs and will comprise Traditional Owners representing major language groups and the Land Councils.

“The board will meet regularly and provide the Minister with advice on how to advance the goals set out in the Joint Office vision statement, as well as progress on these objectives. It will play a vital role as a conduit between government and community.”

2008-08-03