Ms ANDERSON - 2006-08-24
Could the minister inform the House of any actions the Northern Territory government is taking in regards to town camps at Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question, as I know she is very committed in respect of what occurs in Alice Springs. I am pleased to inform the House that a steering committee has been formed to implement the recommendations of the Alice Springs Town Camp Task Force. I am also delighted …
Dr Lim: Are you going to release the report?
Mr McADAM: I beg your pardon?
Dr Lim: Are you going to release the report?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex!
Mr McADAM: I respectfully suggest that if you require a report …
Dr Lim: I cannot get one.
Mr McADAM: … ring my office, and we will give you one.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Minister, direct your answers through the Chair, please.
Mr McADAM: I beg your pardon, Madam Speaker. I was going to say that I am delighted that Mr Barry Chambers has been appointed to chair the Implementation Steering Committee for a period for up to six months. Mr Chambers brings a wealth of experience in driving projects and getting results, most recently coordinating the recovery efforts for the Katherine flood earlier this year.
Membership of the Town Camp Implementation Steering Committee will also include representatives from the Alice Springs Town Council; Tangentyere Town Council; the Australian government through the Indigenous Coordination Centre; the Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation; the Department of the Chief Minister; the Department of Local Government and Housing and the Northern Territory Police.
I pay tribute to all members of the Town Camp Task Force, in particular, I thank the Mayor of Alice Springs, Fran Kilgariff, the CEO and President of Tangentyere Council, Mr Geoff Shaw, Mr Brian Stirling and Betty Pearce from Lhere Artepe organisation, and Mr Ross McDougall from the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination. My thanks especially go to Olga Havnen from the Department of the Chief Minister who chaired the Task Force, and to all the others officers who were involved from the various agencies. It was very much appreciated.
The Task Force will have its final meeting tomorrow, and the Implementation Steering Committee will have its first meeting next week. I look forward to meeting Barry Chambers and his colleagues.
It should be noted that several of the recommendations of the Task Force have already been implemented, including the Northern Territory government funded $2m redevelopment of Stuart Lodge to provide short-term managed accommodation. Also, we are seeking expressions of interest from the private sector to build a facility for indigenous people visiting Alice Springs, alleviating some of overcrowding problems on the town camps, and commencing work on the Connecting Neighbours Program, which is basically to upgrade essential services and infrastructure on town camps.
In conclusion, I do not believe we should ever underestimate the importance of the Task Force, particularly the relationship between Tangentyere Council and the Alice Springs Town Council. It is a very important exercise. It is a very mature response to some very serious and pressing issues. It is a pity that the opposition has not necessarily recognised the importance of this task. Over the last few days, what we have really had is a very negative response. I urge the Leader of the Opposition and all members opposite to join in and work wherever they can in regards to this Task Force because it is an important exercise.
Dr Lim: You were going to invite me to be on it, but you did not.
Mr McADAM: Member for Greatorex, we cannot go back to the 1950s when you had indigenous people who basically could not come in to town and participate in the general community. That happened in the 1950s, and the proposal of late by your Leader of the Opposition for a town camp outside of Alice Springs is pretty sad; we are really talking about something similar to Soweto. We have gone beyond those days. I urge you all on that side, particularly you, member for Greatorex, to embrace the changes. If you wish to be invited on to the Task Force, then I am absolutely certain you can attend on any occasion you wish. I know that you are sincere man and your input will be much appreciated.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question, as I know she is very committed in respect of what occurs in Alice Springs. I am pleased to inform the House that a steering committee has been formed to implement the recommendations of the Alice Springs Town Camp Task Force. I am also delighted …
Dr Lim: Are you going to release the report?
Mr McADAM: I beg your pardon?
Dr Lim: Are you going to release the report?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex!
Mr McADAM: I respectfully suggest that if you require a report …
Dr Lim: I cannot get one.
Mr McADAM: … ring my office, and we will give you one.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Minister, direct your answers through the Chair, please.
Mr McADAM: I beg your pardon, Madam Speaker. I was going to say that I am delighted that Mr Barry Chambers has been appointed to chair the Implementation Steering Committee for a period for up to six months. Mr Chambers brings a wealth of experience in driving projects and getting results, most recently coordinating the recovery efforts for the Katherine flood earlier this year.
Membership of the Town Camp Implementation Steering Committee will also include representatives from the Alice Springs Town Council; Tangentyere Town Council; the Australian government through the Indigenous Coordination Centre; the Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation; the Department of the Chief Minister; the Department of Local Government and Housing and the Northern Territory Police.
I pay tribute to all members of the Town Camp Task Force, in particular, I thank the Mayor of Alice Springs, Fran Kilgariff, the CEO and President of Tangentyere Council, Mr Geoff Shaw, Mr Brian Stirling and Betty Pearce from Lhere Artepe organisation, and Mr Ross McDougall from the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination. My thanks especially go to Olga Havnen from the Department of the Chief Minister who chaired the Task Force, and to all the others officers who were involved from the various agencies. It was very much appreciated.
The Task Force will have its final meeting tomorrow, and the Implementation Steering Committee will have its first meeting next week. I look forward to meeting Barry Chambers and his colleagues.
It should be noted that several of the recommendations of the Task Force have already been implemented, including the Northern Territory government funded $2m redevelopment of Stuart Lodge to provide short-term managed accommodation. Also, we are seeking expressions of interest from the private sector to build a facility for indigenous people visiting Alice Springs, alleviating some of overcrowding problems on the town camps, and commencing work on the Connecting Neighbours Program, which is basically to upgrade essential services and infrastructure on town camps.
In conclusion, I do not believe we should ever underestimate the importance of the Task Force, particularly the relationship between Tangentyere Council and the Alice Springs Town Council. It is a very important exercise. It is a very mature response to some very serious and pressing issues. It is a pity that the opposition has not necessarily recognised the importance of this task. Over the last few days, what we have really had is a very negative response. I urge the Leader of the Opposition and all members opposite to join in and work wherever they can in regards to this Task Force because it is an important exercise.
Dr Lim: You were going to invite me to be on it, but you did not.
Mr McADAM: Member for Greatorex, we cannot go back to the 1950s when you had indigenous people who basically could not come in to town and participate in the general community. That happened in the 1950s, and the proposal of late by your Leader of the Opposition for a town camp outside of Alice Springs is pretty sad; we are really talking about something similar to Soweto. We have gone beyond those days. I urge you all on that side, particularly you, member for Greatorex, to embrace the changes. If you wish to be invited on to the Task Force, then I am absolutely certain you can attend on any occasion you wish. I know that you are sincere man and your input will be much appreciated.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016