A group of 25 Western Australian Indigenous leaders have issued a joint statement calling on the government of Western Australia to properly engage with the Aboriginal community on delivering solutions to the crisis in the youth justice system which disproportionately impacts on Indigenous youth.
The open letter below, issued Monday, accused Premier Mark McGowan of misrepresenting the youth justice summit he called in response to a long-running community campaign and recent nationwide condemnation of conditions in Banksia Hill Detention Centre, and urged the government to embrace several key reforms.
"Three months ago, we, a concerned community of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, came together to express our concern and speak up for our children who are experiencing abuse in Banksia and Casuarina prisons.
Since then, we have doubled, our voice is continuing to grow louder, and it must be heard. It's time the State Government heard our Voice.
We reject the Premier's comments that labelled and demonised incarcerated children, his claim everything is fine and suggestion we are too idealistic for wanting better. Clearly, there is no acceptance of responsibility, ownership of failures, or commitment to change.
We are disappointed there has been little to no meaningful engagement with the Aboriginal Community about a way forward on youth justice.
Premier McGowan has misrepresented the 'Summit' as an endorsement of his actions, claiming that we have stated the government is 'on the right track'. The Premier has once again disrespected our people and misrepresented these serious issues, in particular his government's unlawful and abusive treatment of vulnerable children.
We note the statement by Daniel Morrison, Gail Beck and Fiona Stanley, (who were invited at the 11th hour) and who have clearly stated the Premier has misrepresented the Summit and is misleading the public.
Again, we repeat our calls that are most urgent. The Convention on the Rights of the Child is clear that in all matters the 'best interests of the child must prevail'.
We will not be quiet when children's lives are at risk. This is what must happen, now.
The state must:
O Conduct an independent inquiry into Banksia and Casuarina Prison
O Immediately ban dangerous restraints and solitary confinement
O Close unit 18 before Christmas.
O Work with us to establish a Taskforce to develop immediate responses, for example, urgently conduct individual health assessments of each child in detention with input from ACCOs like Derbarl Yerrigan, Yorgum Healing Service.
O Task DPC with creating a long-term whole of Government strategy to reform the system that is co-designed and led by Aboriginal Leaders, and consider a range of legislative changes (for example, mandatory detention laws)
O Raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14.
There has been a 63 million dollar commitment made by the Government which we do not understand and have not been consulted on.
The Premier's conduct towards Aboriginal people also highlights the critical need for the 'paradigmatic shift' to Aboriginal people and recognition of Aboriginal voice. Aboriginal people in WA are excluded from decision making, even though we hold the answers for our community.
We will not accept this any longer. The Office of Aboriginal Accountability was promised and then abandoned.
The PM has committed to a national Voice, showing respect for Aboriginal people, this must be supported by robust state models. We are lagging behind the nation in Indigenous affairs and cannot continue like this anymore."
The signatories of the letter are listed below.
Premier McGowan said that in addition to particular ministers, the police commissioner and a "range of" public servants, a "a group of Western Australians with an interest in the matter" attended the summit.
"It was constructive, it talked about additional mental health services and a range of other initiatives and the government has responded... with (announcing) a $63 million spend on mental health services... training initiatives, educational initiatives, and capital works particularly in the area of training inside Banksia Hill," he said.
"Combined with the spend of $25 million on capital works upgrades and the Aboriginal Services Unit and the $15 million on Country option for diversion for people from regional WA into an alternative form of supervision... near Derby, all up that is $100 million in initiatives to ensure these young people... get their lives on track."
The Statement signatories:
Nick Abraham, Owner/Lead Guide Warrang-Bridil
Gail Beck, Executive Manager Aboriginal Services Ruah Community Services
Tracey Brand, chief executive officer Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service
Joanne Della Bona, chief executive officer Coolabaroo – Moorditch Gurlongga Association
Danny Ford, Director Kambarang Services Pty Ltd
Renna Gayde, Community and Cultural Engagement Coordinator Foundations for Indigenous Sustainable Health
Tony Hansen, co-chair Bringing Them Home
Professor Colleen Hayward AM
Barbara Henry, EO Noongar Family Safety and Wellbeing Council
Professor Braden Hill
Carol Innes, grandparent
Glenda Kickett, co-chair Social Reinvestment WA
Dr. Hannah McGlade, Member UN Permanent Forum Indigenous Issues United Nations
Liza McGuire, Deputy Chair Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health
Oral McGuire, Principal Consultant Gundi Consulting
Daniel Morrison, CEO/ co-chair Wungening Aboriginal Corporation/ Social Reinvestment WA
Jim Morrison, Executive Director Yokai Healing our Spirit
Donna Nelson, CEO/chair Pioneers Aboriginal Corporation/Derbarl Yerrigan
Jackie Oakley, grandmother
Laurel Sellers, chief executive officer Yorgum
Martin Smith, chief executive officer Ebenezer Aboriginal Corporation
Narelle Thorne, grandmother
Dawn Wallam, chief executive officer Yorganop
Tina Pickett, Managing Director Noongar Mia Mia
Michael Hayden, Managing Director Maarli Services
Former Australian of the Year Fiona Stanley, former WA Premier Carmen Lawrence and Western Australian Council of Social Service chief executive Louise Giolitto have thrown their support behind the open letter.
