Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Rubbish policy from FaCSIA

By Graham Ring - posted Tuesday, 17 October 2006


Davenport Community Council had been instrumental in setting up the Wami Kata aged care home, considered to be one of the better examples of this kind of facility.

Government ministers who find it easy to denigrate Aboriginal people might do well to observe the warmth and regard in which Indigenous communities hold their older people. Perhaps they could even learn something.

Davenport Council also assisted in setting up the Lakeview Accommodation Centre, to provide accommodation for Aboriginal people making short to medium term visits to Port Augusta and access to health and welfare services. This is a no nonsense arrangement: Residents pay $30 a week and are provided with bedding, towels and access to bathroom facilities. Alcohol is not permitted on the site and disruptive behaviour in not tolerated.

Advertisement

The Bangala CDEP Program, now happily chugging away under its own steam, was also set up by the very same Davenport Community Council. It beggars belief that an Indigenous Community Council with this distinguished track record of achievement is to fall victim to federal government ideologues.

I caught up with outspoken Port Augusta Mayor Joy Baluch and her City Manager, John Stephens to seek their views on the matter. They too were completely underwhelmed by FaCSIA’s bolt from the blue.

“This is just pulling the rug out from under Davenport. It’s a pretty awful way of implementing change,” Stephens told me. “It ought to be about building capacity, not destroying it.”

They also expressed disappointment that FaCSIA did not see fit to consult with council prior to the announcement. Port Augusta Council’s budget is already committed for the current financial year and they are in no position to guarantee the employment of Indigenous staff displaced from Davenport Community Council. Stephens described the move as a “retrograde step”.

In trying to make sense of this baffling decision I consulted the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination website. I was gratified to discover that “leadership” is one of the Five Great Principles that underpin the Australian Government’s administration of Indigenous Affairs: “The representative networks that Indigenous people establish will provide leadership and be accountable to the people and communities they represent. Where leadership capacity and organisational governance need to be strengthened the Australian Government is providing support.”

Oh yes minister?

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All

First published in the National Indigenous Times in issue 114, September 21, 2006.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

5 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Graham Ring is an award-winning writer and a fortnightly National Indigenous Times columnist. He is based in Alice Springs.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Graham Ring

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Graham Ring
Article Tools
Comment 5 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy