[Greens-Media] Greens challenge Howard's neglect on grog, sex abuse

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Friday, 22 June 2007

Greens challenge Howard's neglect on grog, sex abuse

The Greens say the Prime Minister's omission of major centres such as
Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine, and Elliott from his alcohol
ban plans fails long-time Aboriginal calls to block the biggest sales
outlets and deal with the major centres of child sexual abuse.

"Mr Howard's plant to take over 60 remote centres of less than 100
people each involves less than 6000 people. Many of these centres are
already 'dry' because of Aboriginal action. But the 'Little Children are
Sacred' report shows the big centres are the major statistical problem
places for child sexual abuse," Greens spokesperson on Indigenous
Affairs, Senator Rachel Siewert said in Canberra today.

"The Howard plan is selective, cynical and racist. Will he tackle the 97
alcohol outlets, including Woolworths, in Alice Springs as Indigenous
leaders have wanted for years? And where is the monetary allocation for
detoxification and rehabilitation services essential to a good outcome?"
Senator Siewert asked.

Senator Siewert pointed to the 1999 report of the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Women's Taskforce on Violence, which Mr Howard ignored.

Greens Leader Bob Brown demanded the Prime Minister rectify his budget
failure to allocate the half a billion dollars per annum needed to close
the appalling 17-year gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous life
expectancy in Australia.

"This is the eleventh year of deliberate neglect of Aboriginal health
with per capita spending way below that for all other Australians,"
Senator Brown said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603
Chris Twomey 0407 725 025



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Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185
ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au