[Greens-Media] Don't make the mistakes of NT in the Kimberley

[Norton, Tim (Sen R. Siewert)]

Don't make the mistakes of NT in the Kimberley
Thursday 30th October 2008

The Australian Greens today called for caution in rolling out the NT
Intervention to areas such as the Kimberley, instead pushing for
continued funding with a more community based focus.

"While we definitely need to address the long term underinvestment in
Indigenous communities, what is needed is an evidence based approach
that aims to build on what already works," said Australian Greens
Senator Rachel Siewert.

"Out of the nearly half a billion dollars that has been spent on the
Intervention to date, very little has gone on child protection. A huge
amount of the much needed investment has been spent on administration,
not services."

"In Senate Estimates last week we heard that 13 of the 16 planned safe
houses had been constructed, however due to health concerns associated
with fumes, these had not been put into active use," said Senator
Siewert.

"What is needed is better understanding of individual community needs,
with more investment in decent housing, education and health services."

"With Indigenous disadvantage in areas such as the Kimberley, we
certainly shouldn't be following the heavy handed, top down approach
applied by Brough and Howard."

"Indigenous Australia needs the attention and level of investment we
currently see in the NT, but not the populist politics and racist
approach that has been applied alongside," she concluded.

For more information or media enquiries please call Tim Norton on 0418
401 180