Indigenous Communities Funding

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (15:02): Again, a supplementary to the Premier. Does the Premier acknowledge that the provision of municipal services is a state and local government responsibility?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (15:02): One of the difficulties with that idea is that there is no recognisable local government—

The Hon. J.M. Rankine interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Education is warned.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —institution in the APY lands. It is a unique construct. In fact, it has one of the most unique systems of land ownership in the nation. It gives complete title to the traditional owners of the lands of the APY lands and it has historically been the case that the commonwealth has accepted these responsibilities. Clearly nobody believes that the need is not there.

Everybody accepts that there remains a need to be met. The question really is who pays for that, and the commonwealth is simply proposing unilaterally to withdraw from their responsibilities. This is a pretty unhelpful debate about commonwealth-state relations if it is simply going to become, 'We withdraw and you have to pick up the pieces.' I know it is controversial but I think there is a lot of merit in the Forrest review. For me, it is the first time I have seen a vision for remote Aboriginal communities which is a compelling one.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I freely admit there have been failures on—and I think there is plenty of blame to share around in remote Aboriginal communities, so I wouldn't hear too much chirping from the other side of the house.

Can I say this: in relation to those communities, I think there is something powerful about a vision where young people can leave those lands and go and seek employment elsewhere in the state. I think that, to me, subjecting those communities to the misery of not seeing a future for themselves is at the heart of the social collapse around which a whole range of norms around personal behaviour and the care and protection of children all begins to become very degraded.

I think the starting point must be a sense of purpose, and the sense of purpose must come from being able to not only walk in an Aboriginal world, which is obviously an important part of the identity and culture of many of these young people, but also the opportunity to walk in the broader mainstream community. I think that is what the Forrest reforms provide an opportunity to consider. I am prepared to partner with the commonwealth, but it is difficult when we see the commonwealth withdrawing from essential features of the supports which underpin those communities. So, we will continue negotiating with the commonwealth on this important matter.