Lack Of Leadership Perpetuates Domestic Violence

A report in today's Australian newspaper that Galarrwuy Yunupingu admitted to pushing his wife, shaking her, and pulling her up by her hair during a domestic dispute further illustrates the extent of the culture of violence operating in many Aboriginal communities, according to Territory Opposition Leader, Jodeen Carney.

Mr Yunupingu's reported admissions come on top of reports on Lateline last month about high levels of violence against women and children by senior Aboriginal men. It also follows the conviction in May of the Chairman of the Central Land Council who attacked a woman with an axe.

"Aboriginal people want leadership from their communities. How can they get leadership when some of their leaders are violent?” Ms Carney said.

"To make matters worse, there has been absolutely no leadership from the Chief Minister”.

"Clare Martin is still silent on giving a commitment that Government will stop doing business with Aboriginal organisations that have as their public officials men convicted of crimes of violence against women and children. Why won't she commit to this and other initiatives proposed by the Opposition and others?”, Ms Carney said.

The Chief Minister's handling of Aboriginal issues has been appalling, and it's no wonder Matthew Bonson wrote his memo wanting her to give the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio to someone else”, she said.

"All Clare Martin has done is come up with a 20 year plan that had no details, and then commit to a 6 month inquiry which will be shrouded in secrecy. She refused to attend the Brough summit, and now it's clear that violence in Aboriginal communities won't be high on the agenda at CoAG”, Ms Carney said.

2006-07-06