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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-02-20 Daily Xml
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APY LANDS, FOOD SECURITY

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (14:42): A supplementary. Has the minister been to the APY lands himself for a period of several days to sort out the food crisis issues or does he plan to do so, and if so, when?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:43): I hesitate in giving a further answer, but let me just advise the chamber if they are too lazy to do their own work and do their own research. Over the past 10 years, this government has played a key role in supporting many programs and initiatives that enhance the wellbeing of Aboriginal people in this state.

From the start, this government acknowledged that it was important to create a future that was shaped by choice and not chance. So with this in mind, we committed to a whole of government long-term strategic plan that was both measurable and transparent. The targets were ambitious that we set for ourselves, but in partnership with the Aboriginal community, we developed our strategic plan targets which should allow Aboriginal people to play a central role in determining their own future.

Over 10 per cent of the plan's targets are now Aboriginal-specific and many of the other targets will also benefit Aboriginal people. In relation to health, providing cultural inclusive pre and postnatal birthing services has also been a new initiative of this government, and in 2010 I am pleased to say these services assisted over 200 Aboriginal births across South Australia, resulting in healthier birth weights and a lesser need for acute hospital and nursery care, while improving breastfeeding rates. Health screen checks for adults and children were also introduced in 2004 to assist prevention and early diagnosis.

In terms of remote housing, the government has recognised that additional housing was acquired in remote Aboriginal communities, and this was essential in reducing overcrowding and improving child protection outcomes.

Since 2010, 119 community rental houses have been built across remote Aboriginal communities in partnership with the Australian government. During the same period, 158 refurbishments have been undertaken. Through this program, houses in these communities are now leased to Housing SA, which provides housing management services, including good quality maintenance programs. These leases now cover 569 houses across the state, and this has enabled the signing of 332 tenancy agreements, which is contributing to better quality housing and housing management in these communities.

The government has been very committed to a genuine and inclusive dialogue with South Australia's Aboriginal communities and their leaders. We established the South Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council to support the government and the appropriateness of its policies and programs with respect to Aboriginal people. On the recommendation of the advisory council, we created the office of the Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement to ensure that an independent Aboriginal voice prevailed in discussions about broader policy directions. This position did not exist under the previous government.

The government has also been very supportive of the aspirations of Aboriginal organisations. It is pleasing to note that 210 of these organisations have received one-off grant funding from Community Benefit SA since 2005. The government is not content with that list of achievements. This year we stride to the finish line for a number of significant historic legislative changes that will impact the lives of many Aboriginal South Australians. We anticipate making significant changes to the way in which we deal with Aboriginal heritage and Aboriginal landholding authorities.

This government has introduced an act to amend our constitution to acknowledge Aboriginal people. This is a symbolic way of expressing parliament's commitment to reconciliation with Aboriginal people. We will continue to work in partnership with the commonwealth on our remote service delivery programs on the APY lands, and we will maintain our commitment to provide social workers in relation to schools, people to support our youth workers, child protection workers, and we will work with the APY and the commonwealth on the implementation of income management and providing healthy foods.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: I was just about to acknowledge the Hon. Mr Gilfillan and comment on how well behaved the chamber was as he entered. That lasted less than a minute. Welcome, the Hon. Mr Gilfillan.

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