A recent search indicates that the Northern Territory has the smallest population of any Australian state or territory, it has the third largest area and the proportion of its population which is Indigenous is the highest in the country.
For a variety of reasons, the NT population (mainly the non-Indigenous portion) is in decline and the proportionate GST funding model takes no account of the fact that the actual geographic size of the NT does not diminish if people leave!
When you add to that the following facts you must begin to wonder how any locally elected government in the NT could hope to be successful:
- A majority of the Indigenous population lives in remote townships and settlements.
- Pregnant women from these remote communities have to move into the nearest town with suitable birthing facilities, at least a month ahead of their due dates, disrupting family connections.
- Many who are unwell have to seek hospital care in the city, because local facilities are not sufficient, and need to bring family members with them.
- There is often friction between local indigenous communities and those from other regions who need accommodation and access to services.
- Access to alcohol is always an issue and those from dry communities often tend to be reluctant to return to their community after they have had to come to town for, for example, medical treatment or attendance at government offices not available out bush.
- The NT Land Councils are in receipt of mining royalties, which they are then required to distribute for the benefit of the relevant communities.
- Not only in the NT, elected local councils do not necessarily have the knowledge and skills necessary to handle community funds with integrity, and they are often the prey of unscrupulous managers, who line their own pockets at the expense of the community.
- White governments seldom consult adequately with local indigenous communities.
There are many other issues which could be raised, including the out of hand rejection of the ‘Uluru Statement from the Heart’ by then PM Malcolm Turnbull.
Even within any one Australian jurisdiction, there are differences between tribes and groups as to how they need help from government. What is a common thread is that they want more involvement in discussions of issues affecting them personally and as distinct groups.
Just as a male doctor will never experience, and therefore fully understand, the severe period pains which some women suffer, (and, to balance that, I understand that no woman will ever experience the pain inflicted on a male who is kneed in the groin!) so too, white, urban administrators will seldom have any in-depth understanding of the needs of members of a remote Indigenous community.
It is time for white people to bow to the more informed assessments of Indigenous leaders and establish committees, with a majority of members selected by the relevant community, in planning services for the Indigenous population across Australia.
For far too long we have lived in the shadow of the white Australia policy and the efforts to ignore the ancient cultures and knowledge of our First Nations.
I am not an expert in this area, but then – neither are many of the bureaucrats who develop and administer policies with no sufficient care for their appropriateness for the people affected by them.
I realise New Zealand’s foundations were laid in very different circumstances from those applying here in Australia, but I am so impressed by how their First Nations enjoy a degree of inclusivity which is totally lacking here!
It would be fantastic to see a change of attitude in this area once the next federal government is elected.
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