Federal Government Accused Of Vendetta Against Mutitjulu Community

Member for Lingiari and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern Australia and Indigenous Affairs Warren Snowdon today called on the Federal Government to stop its vendetta against Mutitjulu community.

Mr Snowdon said the community had suffered double jeopardy since it was the target of unsubstantiated allegations of paedophilia involving community members.

'The community name has been publicly shamed throughout Australia, they've had funding for essential community services withdrawn and there's been the threat of an administrator being appointed to oversee them,' he said.

'Significantly, the specific allegations of petrol for sex have been widely discredited as a result of an inquiry by the NT Government and the NT Police Service.

'After interviewing 300 people, they said the claims were overstated and there was no evidence of abuse, but Mutitjulu is still being punished.

'In the two weeks since their funding was cut, the community has done its best to comply with every demand the Government has placed on them.

'It has signed off on all the requirements, but the Government has simply not responded and there's no money on the way.

'And despite the departure of the council's CEO, there is still no sign of administrator.

'Remote communities throughout Australia are getting used to dealing with people who have no understanding and even less sympathy for what they're trying to do.

'But Mutitjulu has been singled out for some pitifully childish and vindictive behaviour and that has to stop,' Mr Snowdon said.

2006-07-17