FROM HANSARD
House of Assembly – 14 September 2011 In Response to Question From Leader of Opposition, Isobel Redmond.
The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: I have enormous respect for Lowitja O’Donoghue. She is a Yankunytjatjara woman, so she is very much entitled to speak about issues that are going on in the lands. In relation to the report that she prepared with Tim Costello, I understand that most of the issues (because they did not provide recommendations per se) that they highlighted have absolutely—
FROM Anangu Pitjantjatjara & Yankunytjatjara Lands Report By Tim Costello & Lowitja O’Donoghue
Key Recommendations:
Our key recommendation furthermore, is to place a person in the Lands who can unblock
service delivery, mediate family/clan disputes and clarify governance confusion with the
full mandate, legitimacy and direct access to the Premier is required. Without the full
legitimacy of the office of the Premier, the various silos of government departments and
petty clan bitterness, will subvert the coherent authority to manage essential services at a
level that will both protect lives and give minimum standards for Lands occupants. This
person needs to live on the Lands and be the honest broker desperately needed. She/he
should report directly to the head of the Department of Premier and Cabinet. They must
have powers like an ombudsman to range across every department area with access and
power to intervene and unblock resources.
The final strategic (objective six) is to develop an effective governance model for the
APY Lands. In short this is the greatest challenge and the most difficult challenge.
Already a bill has enabled fresh elections with a new chair of the APY Lands. In
democratic theory, this should provide a new mandate without the defects that saw the
Commonwealth government stop funding and withdraw support from the former
Executive. However, the probability that language groups have been instrumental in this
election, fuelling unresolved bitterness, will require a person on the APY Lands with both
the mandate of the Premier and the respect of the community to mediate differences and
help people move on and through their disappointment and personal hurt.
Secondly the review of the APY Land Rights Act along with all other relevant acts and
local government models is the critical piece of intellectual and policy work. There are
those who believe the APY Lands Council is the right governance instrument through
which all of government funding can flow. They say it just elects the wrong people!
Others believe there needs to be a clear demarcation between the APY Lands Council
which should only deal with mining companies, grant permits and deal with matters
strictly pertaining to Land as opposed to a separate peak body for welfare and service
delivery. Whatever the model finally resolved upon, it needs to clearly demarcate role,
rights and resources. Until now the confusion of the model has been its’ worst enemy
intensifying bitter clan and family disputes and the worst governance practice that
damages community morale.
etc, etc.
Looks it may be time for Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Minister Portolesi to come home from her trip to Italy and answer the question – did she mislead Parliament over the O’Donoghue / Costello Report.
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