[Greens-Media] The Hole of Government approach

[Twomey, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

The Hole of Government approach

"The proposed evacuation of 300 people from Wadeye indicates a breakdown
of law and order and the failure of government policy," said Senator
Siewert today.

Wadeye was singled out for special attention when the COAG trials
commenced in 2000, and has been the target of a special family violence
prevention program.

"Despite a $37 M family violence prevention program and the direct
involvement of senior government figures in the trial, things continue
to go backwards and there was no recognition that things were
approaching crisis point." 

"Wadeye has 1500 young people under 25, but there is no high school and
so little housing that up to twenty people must cram into a three
bedroom house," she said. 

"The fundamental causes of poverty and despair must be addressed."

"We have heard a lot of rhetoric about the new 'mainstreaming' of
Indigenous Affairs - which is now being spun as the 'whole of
government' approach, but those leading this 'quiet revolution' are
unable to tell us if it is succeeding after two years or how they will
ever know," said Senator Siewert.

The Department of Premier and Cabinet were unable to answer Senator
Siewert's questions in Estimates today about how the whole-of-government
approach is being evaluated, how they're learning from past mistakes or
how they will measure success.

"They are not learning from the COAG trials," she said. "They started
this new whole of government approach without even having evaluated the
COAG trials. If they had done so perhaps Wadeye would not be in crisis."


"It is clear there is no coordinated approach - what they want is
somewhere dark and deep to dump their failure to deliver basic services
out of sight - that's the truth of the 'hole' of government approach."

For more information or comment call Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025
Email senator.siewert at aph.gov.au  
http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au


Senator Rachel Siewert
Australian Greens Senator for WA


Tuesday 23 May 2006


Chris Twomey
Personal Advisor
Senator Rachel Siewert
Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia
WA office: 08 9228 3277 Canberra: 02 6277 3587
mobile: 0407 725 025
www.rachelsiewert.org.au

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