[Greens-Media] After 11 years of neglect..Call to Howard: Put $1-2 million to saving kids instead of recalling parliament

[Cameron, Prue (Sen B. Brown)]

Saturday 23 June 2007

Greens leader Bob Brown says Prime Minister Howard's recall of
parliament a fortnight early, after 11 years of doing nothing on abused
Indigenous kids, will cost $1 - 2 million.  The recall is set for the
week beginning 23 July, with parliament set to resume on 7 August
anyway.

"This will be a $ 1-2 million wasted political exercise and the money
should go directly into health and protective services for the very kids
Prime Minister Howard says he will protect. 

"Recalling parliament is more about political drama than protecting
Indigenous kids" Senator Brown said.

The mooted legislative change, after 11 years of inaction, can be dealt
with in August when parliament is due to sit again. A dramatic recall,
costing $1-2 million, will make almost zero difference to what is
happening in remote communities but the $1 -2 million would make a huge
difference at any one of those communities. It would establish a health
centre, bring in a GP, train more Indigenous health workers, employ a
police officer or do all four," Senator Brown said.

"All the necessarily urgent measures to address these terrible problems
can be taken immediately in consultation with the Northern Territory
government," Senator Brown said.

Senator Brown is holding a press conference this morning:

At 11.45am
Murray Street Pier, Hobart

Further information: Prue Cameron 0408 473 379

Prue Cameron
Advisor
Senator Bob Brown
GPO Box 404 
Hobart TAS 7001

Ph: 03 6224 3222 (Hobart)
Ph: 02 6277 3170 (Canberra)

Fax 03 6224 2999 (Hobart)
Fax 02 6234 1577 (Canberra)
Mob: 0408 473 379

www.bobbrown.org.au