[Greens-Media] URGENT Media Release - Swan Valley Nyungah Community - 18 March 2014

[Chapple, Robin]

Robin Chapple MLC
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region


MEDIA RELEASE


Greens Appalled at Homes Torn Down at Swan Valley Nyungah Community in early morning.

Tuesday 18 March 2014

Greens Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Hon Robin Chapple MLC is appalled by the Barnett government's decision to tear down homes at the Swan Valley Nyungah Community.

'The tearing down of buildings that were designed and built in a cultural way and on sacred land is absolutely disgusting!' said Mr Chapple.

'Not only has the government ignored the concerns of the Nyungah Community, this process initiated in 2003 had made many people homeless by evicting women, children and families from their homes,' explained Mr Chapple.

'I have a copy of the title for the land which states it is for the purpose of use and benefit of Aboriginal inhabitants. Today in Parliament I will call upon the Barnett government to explain under what legal grounds this has been allowed to happen,' advised Mr Chapple.

The Swan Valley Nyungah people desire to reclaim their traditional lands date back to 1919 when the Guildford Aboriginals were transhipped to the Moore River native settlement, they campaigned vigorously for the right to reoccupy the area which presently takes in Reserve 43131.

The current Lord Street camp was established in 1977, since then the residents of this community have suffered tragedy, both real and perceived. These are modern symptoms of poverty and alienation.

In 1994 after many years of insecurity Reserve No 43131 was designated for the purpose of "Use and Benefit of Aboriginal Inhabitants".  The community was offered freehold title at the time but elected reserve status because of Native Title implications.

On May 15 2003 the Reserves Bill (to remove the inhabitants) was introduced into the Legislative Assembly, it received only one hour of debate and was immediately sent to the Legislative Council for passage.

During the course of the debate in the Legislative Council the Leader of the House stated on a least four occasions that the community should be allowed to return.

The Greens WA have long supported the return of families to their homes at the Swan Valley Nyungah Community.

The findings of the Select Committee on the Reserves (Reserve 43131) Bill 2003 can be found here<http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parliament%5Ccommit.nsf/(Report+Lookup+by+Com+ID)/B86263FBF51AB48548257831003E9624/$file/rs.rsv.041118.rpf.001.xx.pdf>.

For more information please contact Robin Chapple on 0409 379 263 or 9486 8255



All the best

Robin Chapple MLC
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region
PO Box 94, West Perth WA 6872
41 Havelock Street, West Perth. WA 6005

Phone: (08) 9486 8255 | Email: Robin.Chapple at mp.wa.gov.au<mailto:Robin.Chapple at mp.wa.gov.au>  | Freecall: 1800 138 610 | WEB: http://robinchapple.com/
Our office provides a facility for members of the public to ask their own Parliamentary Questions through my website at http://www.robinchapple.com/ask-question. Questions on Notice are preferred, instructions and templates are provided.
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