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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-09-23 Daily Xml
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MINTABIE

The Hon. G.M. GUNN (Stuart) (15:51): I would like to put on the public record my strong support for the work that Euan Ferguson does on behalf of the people of this state. I was perturbed to read in The Advertiser some less than charitable comments in relation to Mr Ferguson by people reviewing his performance. I suggest that if they follow his lead and put in the work he does for people in rural South Australia they would perform better than they are already.

I know that he is held in the highest regard by the volunteers, and the work he has done across rural South Australia is commendable. He has been frustrated by bureaucrats in other parts of the Public Service. When he has given forthright evidence to parliamentary committees he may have annoyed some people who have bloated egos and, often, not a lot of ability. Nevertheless, it is deplorable that the minister and others at the time did not show a bit of courage to support someone who has been supporting rural South Australia. I am proud to put on record my support for Mr Ferguson and those people who support him.

There is another matter about which I am concerned. Like most members I have had representation from the Mintabie opal miners. I know a little bit about Mintabie. I was a member at the time the Pitjantjatjara Land Rights Act was passed. I say now what I said then: I think they were very badly treated. I had a real box-on behind the scenes with one Trevor Griffin in relation to it. He was not very pleased with me and I make no apology for what I said.

Those people have been there a long time and they have worked hard, and in some cases it is the only residence they have had. If anyone thinks that they will stop illegal activities and grog running by preventing people having a few bottles of beer in their home at Mintabie they are deluding themselves. What about the grog that comes in from Curtin Springs? Where else does it come from? It comes in from Alice Springs and Yulara. Unfortunately, there are people who want to break the law. It is like the illegal dealing of motor cars up there. We cannot just blame the people at Mintabie. I know there are one or two scoundrels there but, unfortunately, we have them throughout the community. It is a small number of people, but that is not a reason to put unreasonable restrictions on these people.

What are the benefits to the Aboriginal community? Most of them who have gone there have done a lot of noodling on the dumps and been fairly rewarded for it. They like going there. Because of the poor management of the Pitjantjatjara lands, we cannot blame them for wanting to go where there is more activity and something constructive for them to do.

This report was written by John Tregenza. What an interesting character he is. I well recall him when I landed one day at Wingelina, just across the border in Western Australia, and he told me to leave. I addressed him in terms which I am sure he will not forget. My comments to him were along the lines, 'This is Australia and I do not intend to be told by you whether or not I can come here.' I am sure Sir Charles Court would be interested in what he had to say to me. I had a great deal of pleasure in telling Charlie Court—who was a decent, upright Australian who did great things for Western Australia—about this character; and he was particularly interested in what I had to say.

One would not expect that fellow to write anything objective or proper about, or have any regard to, the opal miners, because we all understand the sorts of activities he got up to when he was at Yalata; and John Cornwall dealt with him out there. I have no regard for his report, but I am concerned that the people at Mintabie are treated fairly and reasonably. I will not be supporting any legislation which will make life unreasonable for them.

If you want to make a comparison, go to Indulkana and then go to Mintabie and see which is the best run. Just go and have a look for yourself. I think most people who went to Indulkana would be absolutely appalled that the situation there has been allowed to occur in South Australia. It is an absolute public disgrace and those responsible should be ashamed of themselves. That is no reason to put the boot into the people at Mintabie who are hardworking, good people who are not doing any harm and who are not asking for handouts from the government.

Time expired.

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