PM fails to encourage WA Liberals to support action to reduce indigenous abuse

4/8/03
The Prime Minister has missed a golden opportunity to strengthen his stance against abuse in Aboriginal communities, by failing to encourage Western Australian liberals to support policies that are making a difference.
Indigenous Affairs Minister John Kobelke says John Howard should have used this weekend's Liberal Party State Conference to convince MPs like Peter Foss and Derrick Tomlinson of the need to support policies that protect Aboriginal women and children.
"After his recent high profile summit with 16 Aboriginal leaders, the Prime Minister called for bold ideas to break the cycle of violence that was destroying indigenous communities, but that message hasn't got through to WA Liberals, who have been attacking the Gallop Government's solutions," Mr Kobelke said.
"We are already moving to create safer communities for indigenous people, through our $75million response to the findings of the Gordon Inquiry.
"Some WA Liberals have not supported action to deal with abuse problems, such as the steps to close the Swan Valley Nyungar Camp, and the Prime Minister should have called for bold action within his own ranks to support solutions to the epidemic of violence and substance abuse in Aboriginal communities.
"It's time for action, not words, and this is a national crisis so Mr Howard must take a lead but, while WA is willing to work with him, it seems his State colleagues are not.
"Our action is providing new facilities and additional resources across WA."
Mr Kobelke said State initiatives included employment of 25 additional child protection workers, the building of nine new multi-functional police stations servicing more than 40 isolated Aboriginal communities, plus additional support workers, police officers and domestic violence specialists in regional districts and locally-based security initiatives in Aboriginal communities to protect children and women.
"The WA Government and the Prime Minister have heard the cry from the heart of indigenous communities that want to deal with the issue, but some Western Australian Liberals are still playing politics and not listening to the groundswell of community concern," the Minister said.
Minister's office: 9222 9211