2016-05-15
Sarah George
Although the topic of forced Aboriginal community closures has almost disappeared from mainstream media, it doesnt mean the issue has gone away. In fact, the Barnett Government is in the middle of its Regional Services Reform, where officials “consult” with residents on how well their communities are likely to meet the Governments goals, in order to prioritise the most promising communities for funding. In other words, residents now have to pitch why their human rights are a worthwhile investment.
In any case, when the Government says it is going to “consult” with Aboriginal communities, alarm bells should ring. We know by now that when Government officials suddenly descend into the towns that they have spent so much of their time dismissing, that they are usually there to speak and not to listen. The Regional Services Reform Unit certainly appears to be the latest version of this approach, as they race through up to five communities in one day. At this speed, it would be a miracle if the Unit hears anything at all.
Despite visiting only 8% of remote communities so far, the Unit has already stated the outcome of the consultation process – the communities which are most likely to meet its standards in safety, education, employment, and economic sustainability will be prioritised for investment. In other words, high performing communities will become high priorities, and low performing communities will become low priorities. This plan will result in widening the gap in Indigenous disadvantage, when the Government is well overdue for closing it.
However deprioritisation is not even the worst that can happen to a remote community. Residents could also be left with no option but to travel or relocate to access health services, education, or employment. They may also be forced to relocate permanently, as the Government said it is “prepared to make the difficult decision to close a community” should it no longer be considered safe. It is hard to imagine the Government closing down a metropolitan suburb due to socio-economic difficulties, yet this threat remains real for Aboriginal Australians.
So what we can learn from this Governments interpretation of participatory democracy? Sadly, we can deduct that if you live in a remote community, you dont give the Government feedback on how they can better serve you – you give the Government feedback on how you can better serve them. If they believe you, youll receive the services that are part of your human rights. If they dont, your services will disappear along with the officials, who will spend the next few years avoiding you until its “consultation” time again.
Thankfully, on the 17th of March, National Close the Gap Day, Robin Chapple and Rachel Siewert launched Home is Heritage, a Greens campaign to prevent the forced closure of remote Aboriginal communities. Partnering with SOS Blak Australia and Aboriginal Heritage Action Alliance, Home is Heritage is petitioning Colin Barnett to ensure that Aboriginal communities are not forcibly closed or residents relocated without their free, prior, and informed consent; and that Aboriginal people are not deterred from living in their communities due to the inadequate provision of municipal and essential services.
If this issue concerns you, please become part of Home is Heritage by signing the petition on our website, or joining us on Facebook or Twitter.
Photo: Robin Chapple and the Home is Heritage campaign. Connor Slight