Parliamentary Committees

ABORIGINAL LANDS PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE: ANNUAL REPORT

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:57): I move:

That the annual report of the committee 2006-07 be noted.

The Aboriginal Lands Parliamentary Standing Committee is the only standing committee of the South Australian parliament with a statutory obligation to report annually on its work. The committee is mindful of the importance of that obligation and the opportunity it provides to bring the concerns and aspirations of Aboriginal people before parliament and the wider community.

Since the committee was established in 2003, its first priority has been to consult with Aboriginal people in their home communities and to engage with their elected representatives and leaders. The committee was reminded of the following by Mr Malcolm McKenzie, councillor with Davenport Community Council, who stated:

The days are over where Aboriginal communities will accept things that are 'good for you'. We want to understand what it is really about. We are entitled to that. We should be treated with respect.

During the course of the reporting year, the committee has faithfully committed itself to this fundamental priority of indigenous engagement, visiting, consulting and hearing evidence from an extensive range of Aboriginal communities and organisations across South Australia. As detailed in section 6 of the annual report, the committee has visited the Koonibba, Yalata, Oak Valley, Umoona, Mimili, Fregon and Davenport communities, as well as Maralinga Village, Section 400 and Umuwa.

The committee has also heard formal evidence from 46 witnesses, including 31 representatives from eight Aboriginal organisations and community councils. In summarising the issues brought to the committee's attention, it is sobering to see many all too familiar concerns regarding health, housing, education, employment, respect for the diversity of indigenous people, respect for culture and country, safety for women and children and relationships with government. The committee has listened to and respects the passion and honesty with which these views have been expressed, and it believes it is one of the committee's essential functions to provide opportunities for direct, open and often robust discussion between parliamentarians and Aboriginal South Australians and to report upon these matters for the attention of parliament. The committee is also mindful of the need to respond to community concerns and does so by following up many issues, requesting detailed and comprehensive information from government agencies and organisations.

Through community consultation and information gathering, the committee has further developed its understanding of the way services and programs are delivered to Aboriginal people. Importantly, committee members have, as legislators, gained improved insights into how government policy impacts upon Aboriginal people's lives, their communities and their country.

I believe that, as a consequence of this greater involvement and understanding, the Aboriginal community in South Australia is better served by parliament through the informed contributions of standing committee members to our debates and deliberations. Of particular note, during this reporting period the committee has conducted two inquiries: first, in regard to access to Aboriginal lands (appendix D to the annual report) and, secondly, in regard to commonwealth municipal services funding, which was tabled on 25 July 2007. Both these inquiries have enabled the committee to bring to the attention of parliament with greater clarity the views and concerns of indigenous South Australians regarding specific government policy changes.

During the reporting period, there have been a couple of changes to the committee's membership and staffing. On 24 April 2007, the Hon. Michelle Lensink resigned from the committee and was replaced by the Hon. Terry Stephens MLC. I take this opportunity to thank the Hon. Ms Lensink for her valuable contribution to the work of the committee during her membership, and I welcome the newest member, the Hon. Terry Stephens.

During the year, the committee's Executive/Research Officer, Mr Jonathan Nicholls, resigned and was replaced by Ms Sarah Alpers. On behalf of the committee, I thank Jonathan for supporting the committee since its inception in 2003 with his excellent research skills and diligence. We wish him all the best in his new position.

I also thank all the committee members for their dedication, hard work and multipartisan contribution: the Presiding Member (Hon. Jay Weatherill); the Hon. Lea Stevens; the member for Giles (Ms Lyn Breuer MP); the member for Morphett (Dr Duncan McFetridge); the Hon. Andrew Evans; and the Hon. Terry Stephens.

I also thank those across the government and non-government sectors who have contributed to the work of the committee during the period of this report. In particular, I thank all the Aboriginal communities and the Aboriginal people the committee has met over the past year. We appreciate their openness, generosity of spirit and insight. The committee and, indeed, I believe the parliament have much to learn from Aboriginal people, and I wish to pay tribute to their community strength, resilience and knowledge.

The Aboriginal Lands Parliamentary Standing Committee is strongly committed to continuing and further developing its positive relationships with indigenous South Australians in order to work in partnership towards equality of opportunity for all.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. T.J. Stephens.