Mrs BRAHAM - 1994-11-29
The minister is aware of an initiative by the Women's Committee of the Tangentyere Council in Alice Springs to employ a project officer to work with girls and young women in town camps to help overcome the incidence of alcohol-related harm. Can the minister advise whether the Northern Territory government is prepared to fund this project?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am aware of the concerns of women representatives from the Tangentyere Council about this matter. I take this opportunity to recognise the enormous amount of work that the member for Braitling has put into this matter by speaking to those women and others involved in the council, as well as officers of my department and my ministerial staff. Her contribution has been most productive from the point of view of being able to progress this matter and have it assessed fully.
There are concerns in relation to the harm that is confronting young women and girls in Alice Springs, particularly from a number of town camps. The risk that they face is due principally to alcohol-related activities - namely, the excessive consumption of alcohol that extends into other substance abuse and, unfortunately, prostitution. Strong traditional women have recognised the unacceptable social pressures that these girls and young women face. Members would be aware that, in a number of Aboriginal communities, women have recognised the problems presented by the consumption of high levels of alcohol and have made moves to address these problems in their communities. This is yet another example of the activities of these traditional women.
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The project officer sought will ensure that young women and girls at risk are able to access services to protect themselves from alcohol-related harm and consider alternatives to the alcohol-related violent relationships which, unfortunately, they see on a daily basis. It is proposed that the project officer's duties include liaison with culturally-appropriate referral counselling or treatment services and education about ways in which to reduce alcohol-related harm. The project aims to empower young women with skills and resources to create a safer environment in the town camps. Although the project will draw on the expertise of other services, such as the Communicable Diseases Unit and the Alcohol and Drug Resources and Education Unit of my Department of Health and Community Services, it will be very much dependent on the strong traditional support from the Aboriginal women who have helped to develop this program.
The submission gained very strong support from remote communities in central Australia, including the police, youth agencies and the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Inc. As I indicated, it also had a great deal of assistance from the member for Braitling. The request from the council was for $81 765, which included $34 565 for salary and on-costs for the first year, with capital and establishment costs of up to $35 000. The subsequent year's operational costs will be in the order of $48 765. I am pleased to say that I approved that submission only this morning. I believe it is worth while to use Living With Alcohol program funds for this project and that it will benefit the community.
As with all projects funded under the Living With Alcohol program, this project will be subject to review. I am pleased to say that the Tangentyere Council and the women involved have supported very much the concept of the project's ongoing review. It is most important that we do not set these projects aside once they are funded. They must be reviewed. We must have tangible community benefits from these activities and, certainly, that will be the process in relation to the ongoing component of this project. Apart from providing much needed support, assistance and guidance to women and girls in the town camps of Alice Springs, it will assist also in addressing the problem of street violence in Alice Springs. I do not need to draw that problem to the attention of central Australian members. This project, which is funded by the Living With Alcohol program, will help to address some of the serious issues to which I have referred.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am aware of the concerns of women representatives from the Tangentyere Council about this matter. I take this opportunity to recognise the enormous amount of work that the member for Braitling has put into this matter by speaking to those women and others involved in the council, as well as officers of my department and my ministerial staff. Her contribution has been most productive from the point of view of being able to progress this matter and have it assessed fully.
There are concerns in relation to the harm that is confronting young women and girls in Alice Springs, particularly from a number of town camps. The risk that they face is due principally to alcohol-related activities - namely, the excessive consumption of alcohol that extends into other substance abuse and, unfortunately, prostitution. Strong traditional women have recognised the unacceptable social pressures that these girls and young women face. Members would be aware that, in a number of Aboriginal communities, women have recognised the problems presented by the consumption of high levels of alcohol and have made moves to address these problems in their communities. This is yet another example of the activities of these traditional women.
Page 339
The project officer sought will ensure that young women and girls at risk are able to access services to protect themselves from alcohol-related harm and consider alternatives to the alcohol-related violent relationships which, unfortunately, they see on a daily basis. It is proposed that the project officer's duties include liaison with culturally-appropriate referral counselling or treatment services and education about ways in which to reduce alcohol-related harm. The project aims to empower young women with skills and resources to create a safer environment in the town camps. Although the project will draw on the expertise of other services, such as the Communicable Diseases Unit and the Alcohol and Drug Resources and Education Unit of my Department of Health and Community Services, it will be very much dependent on the strong traditional support from the Aboriginal women who have helped to develop this program.
The submission gained very strong support from remote communities in central Australia, including the police, youth agencies and the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Inc. As I indicated, it also had a great deal of assistance from the member for Braitling. The request from the council was for $81 765, which included $34 565 for salary and on-costs for the first year, with capital and establishment costs of up to $35 000. The subsequent year's operational costs will be in the order of $48 765. I am pleased to say that I approved that submission only this morning. I believe it is worth while to use Living With Alcohol program funds for this project and that it will benefit the community.
As with all projects funded under the Living With Alcohol program, this project will be subject to review. I am pleased to say that the Tangentyere Council and the women involved have supported very much the concept of the project's ongoing review. It is most important that we do not set these projects aside once they are funded. They must be reviewed. We must have tangible community benefits from these activities and, certainly, that will be the process in relation to the ongoing component of this project. Apart from providing much needed support, assistance and guidance to women and girls in the town camps of Alice Springs, it will assist also in addressing the problem of street violence in Alice Springs. I do not need to draw that problem to the attention of central Australian members. This project, which is funded by the Living With Alcohol program, will help to address some of the serious issues to which I have referred.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016