Editorial Australian Associated Press 24/10/2000

Aboriginal representatives called for an end to welfare dependency and new ways to overcome entrenched violence during a roundtable meeting in Canberra today. The meeting brought together representatives from indigenous communities, welfare and health organisations to discuss principles to guide government programs for Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders. It was called to give indigenous communities a chance to advocate change in the way services, particularly in areas such as health, are delivered.

The chairman of the Bunuba community at Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia, Joe Ross, said indigenous communities across the country want a change. He said developing jobs in areas such as his own Kimberley region was one way of addressing the real needs of indigenous communities. 'Everyone is sick of welfare. You people not on the dole, try being on it,' Mr Ross told reporters. Family and Community Services Minister Jocelyn Newman said a strong message from the meeting was that simple welfare assistance had failed. She said many of the indigenous members at the meeting only want a limited amount of assistance so communities could help themselves.

Senator Newman said there may even have to be a rationalisation in the way help is delivered to communities because of problems identified by members of the roundtable. 'They have great emphasis on partnerships, and they mean partnerships between levels of government, between government and ATSIC, between local government and the communities,' she told reporters. 'I think they have some frustration at the number of representatives who purport to be doing things for communities.' Senator Newman said there was deep concern about issues of violence and drug abuse in indigenous communities.

Boni Robertson from the Violence and Abuse in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Communities Taskforce said violence was a continuing problem. She said the roundtable was a strong first step, but it would be a mistake to believe all the problems facing indigenous Australians would be addressed quickly. Ms Robertson said a small protest at the start of the roundtable, where Aboriginal representatives from various communities attempted to march into the meeting, showed the depth of feeling about the needs of indigenous communities.