[Greens-Media] Immediate action needed on petrol sniffing in Balgo - Greens

[Norton, Tim (Sen R. Siewert)]

Immediate action needed on petrol sniffing in Balgo - Greens
Thursday 27th August 2009

The Australian Greens today called on the Government to act to
immediately address an outbreak of petrol sniffing in Balgo Hills.

"I'm deeply upset. After such success in tackling petrol sniffing in
Balgo, this problem is now reoccurring because a local roadhouse is
allowed to continue selling regular fuel and because funding for youth
diversionary programs has not continued," said Senator Rachel Siewert
today.

A Senate committee inquiry yesterday in Broome heard of a new outbreak
of petrol sniffing in the remote WA central desert community involving
around sixteen young Aboriginal community members.

"The Rabbit Flat roadhouse has refused to cooperate with the Federal
program that subsidises the provision of non-aromatic Opal fuel. There
is no excuse for this refusal. This is a matter of community health and
safety. It is time that the Commonwealth stepped in and either required
compliance or imposed sanctions," said Senator Siewert.

"The failure to continue to fund a youth-worker position in the
community is short-sighted in the extreme. There needs to be two youth
workers - one male and one female - permanently stationed in the
community and properly resourced to provide diversionary activities."

"I am deeply upset by this situation. The issue was under control and
the community had worked hard to rectify the impacts of petrol sniffing
on the development of their youth and the safety of their community. We
cannot afford to let this issue slip, as we do not want to see a return
to the bad times," she concluded.

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