Return to Crisis? Or Making Better Investments?

The Indigenous Advancement Strategy’s failure to engage in ground-breaking community initiatives for a Better Future for the Fitzroy Valley and the Urgent Need for Subsidiarity (Local and Regional Decision Making & Awareness) in the Allocation of Commonwealth Indigenous Funds

Submission to the Commonwealth Senate Finances and Public Administration References Committee Inquiry into the Rollout of Funding under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy March 15 2015 “..tragically it is our relationship with government which continually erodes our capacity to achieve a holistic development partnership that is supported by inclusive, transparent and networked governance. Over many years our efforts to enlist the resources we need for community empowerment and capacity development has resulted in a range of separate funding and service delivery agreements with a host of different Commonwealth and State agencies as well as local government, corporates, philanthropic entities and research insti- tutes. These external bodies have different and sometime competing policy agendas, different reporting and accountability requirements. Our community organisations are overwhelmed by administrative reporting, submission writing and managing and nurturing our political and bureaucratic patron relationships. The effect of this dysfunctional relationship that we have with government and external stakeholders is community organisational segmentation and regional disempowerment. “ June Oscar, “Speaking truth to community empowerment: Turning community action into national policy”, 14th Charles Perkins Ora- tion, Great Hall, University of Sydney NSW, 16th October 2014

2 3 Table of Contents Overview 6

Recommendations and Key points for the Con- sideration of the Senate Finances and Public Administration References Committee 8

Introduction to Marninwarntikura 15

Comments on the IAS based on the terms of the Senate Inquiry 19

Conclusion 28

References 29

Abbreviations 30

Appendix 1 Select Media Articles on Marnin- warntikura 2007-2015 31

4 5 Overview funding application Marninwarntikura Fitzroy Women’s Resources Cen- • The application itself tre (MWRC) argues in this submission that the basis • Engagement with PM&C officials subsequent to of the Commonwealth Government’s Indigenous Ad- the IAS funding notification vancement Strategy (IAS) is fundamentally flawed. The outcome of the IAS process is that MWRC’s Com- MWRC argues that the competitive application pro- monwealth funding has been reduced by more than cess which the IAS funding application is based on is 60%. Our argument is that not only is this outcome dysfunctional because it fails to recognise the intercon- unjust but that the whole process lacks logic, transpar- nected and collaborative nature of local community ency and integrity. organisations and initiatives. The IAS funding model does not recognise the need for a whole of government Over the last decade MWRC has developed a positive approach to addressing complex social challenges. All engagement with the Commonwealth and State Gov- this undermines the Commonwealth government’s ernment as well as the Derby West Kimberley Shire own stated policy objectives of delivering employment and various research bodies about the social crisis that growth, improving school attendance and making confronts Indigenous people in the Fitzroy Valley. A communities safer in Aboriginal communities. Over- growing awareness of alcohol abuse, foetal alcohol all, this submission highlights to the senate the inap- “The outcome of the spectrum disorder, child neglect and abuse, suicides, propriate nature of this funding model and the need IAS process is that family and community violence and individual and “MWRC argues that for a comprehensive overhaul and review of the process MWRC’s Common- family disempowerment has led to concerted action by the competitive appli- to ensure that the principle of subsidiarity, namely all tiers of government in collaboration with MWRC cation process which wealth funding has local and regional input, becomes central to the alloca- and its community partners to invest in strength based been reduced by more tion of funds for Indigenous communities the IAS funding ap- community strategies to address this crisis. than 60%. Our argu- plication is based on ment is that not only Over several years’ public and community investment is dysfunctional be- is this outcome unjust in the Fitzroy Valley has seen the introduction of com- cause it fails to recog- munity mandated alcohol restrictions, evidence based nise the interconnect- but that the whole work on demographic surveys and a world renowned process lacks logic, prevalence study of FASD, early childhood developed and collaborative transparency and in- ment through a centre of excellence, women and fami- nature of local com- te g r i t y.” ly empowerment programs and partnerships between munity organisations schools, the justice system and the community. Tragi- and initiatives..” cally, the IAS has fractured a decade’s work of development and achievement. This submission demonstrates the destructive impact on the IAS process on MWRC capacity to lead the Fitzroy Valley’s reconstruction program. It highlight’s the Commonwealth’s dysfunctional relationship with MFWRC and the community and the contradiction of its own policy objectives in three broad areas; Marninwarntikura Executives Maureen Carter (left) • Dialogue leading to the development of MWRC’s June Oscar (right)

6 7 Recommendations and Key points for the Con- ing through the IAS. Baya Gawiy has no secure funding sideration of the Senate Finances and Public stream over the next financial year and is threatened with closure. Administration References Committee d. There is an urgent need to consider the development Recommendations and implementation of appropriate forms of training, employment, and wraparound infrastructure of support and 1) Government should invest in place-based capacity care, for a population presenting high rates of FASD and and evidence-based solutions. Early Life Trauma.

a. MWRC has been constructed through a process of e. Looking beyond the Fitzroy Valley in defunding co-designing solutions with community and diverse range MWRC the Commonwealth government is dismantling a of stakeholders. The IAS and future Commonwealth In- world light house that is creating a global knowledge base digenous funding must invest in this form of collaborative and best practice treatment, research, prevention strategies work. concerning FASD and ELT. “It is of paramount b. MWRC demonstrates that local organic leadership is 2) Stable and secure funding for the operations and “It is vital that importance that the the foundation for robust solutions and social innovations executive body of organisations running frontline services base level opera- and appropriate responses to community challenges and government con- problems. In this respect MWRC fully endorses Chapter a. The Commonwealth government must prioritise sta- tional funding is sistently invests in Four of the recent Empowered Communities Empowered ble, consistent base funding to organisations like MWRC not threatened ev- place-based capacity Peoples report namely that there are five systematic fund- that make major contributions to the health and well-being ery time there is a ing problems in Indigenous affairs of communities and the prosperity of the nation on the and evidenced based basis of an enormous amount of social capital and commu- change in policy or models of communi- i. expenditure growth without achieving outcomes nity participation. government funding ty development.” ii. the current approach is almost entirely supply driven b. It is vital that base level operational funding is not arrangements.” threatened every time there is a change in policy or govern- iii. there is a large industry with vested interests servicing ment funding arrangements. The IAS has ignored the need indigenous dysfunction to fund the governance, administration and strategic support necessary to run program work. iv. there are too many layers of bureaucratic process and red tape 3) Streamline funding process to cut red tape and allow for flexibility in the allocation of funds. v. there is an ongoing lack of transparency around funding spent in localities and regions a. The IAS process shows that there is a clear need for whole of government understanding at local and regional c. It is of paramount importance that the government levels. . The PMC negative response to MWRC’s request for consistently invests in place-based capacity and evidenced “Shared Services” funding namely funding to build on WA based models of community development. MWRC needs State government funded services represents an extraor- targeted investment into prenatal, early childhood and ed- dinary policy stance. It seems PMC supports “Shared Ser- ucation strategies. MWRC operates the Marulu unit, which vices” so long as there is no State funding involved. (Email continues to diagnose and research preventative and sup- Apr 9) Almost every Aboriginal service and agency have portive strategies for children and families with FASD, and components of State government, local and philanthrop- Baya Gawiy, an early childhood learning unit and family ic funding involved. These organisations must operate as centre; supporting the healthy growth of families and of- holistic organisation reflecting the interconnected nature of fering day care and unique learning programmes 0-5 year families and communities that use their facilities. As June olds. Neither Baya Gawiy or Marulu where allocated fund- Oscar has stated “It is government that funds community

8 9 services as silos while demanding that public resources be c. MWRC reiterates its long standing plea to for all lev- allocated to support a collective impact approach. This is a els of government to cut red tape to enable a new arena case of public policy incoherence that Indigenous people of place based solutions to complex problems like FASD. have been dealing with for decades”. June Oscar, Charles MWRC stresses to the senate that a comprehensive reform Perkins Oration, University of Sydney, 2014 It is time that process that makes this a reality is needed. Reforms need to the government starts to get its house in order in Indig- ensure that a repeat of the IAS situation does not occur at enous Affairs and we hope that the Senate will hold the all costs. government to this task.

4) A comprehensive reform of the current model of funding.

a. MWRC insists that a reform of the funding model must be bi-partisan and community informed. Commu- nities need to work in collaboration with governments to break the cycle of disparity, and target investment toward “MWRC calls on community informed preventative solutions. In MWRC’s “MWRC reiterates the Commonwealth case a review of the process needs to take place through its long standing government to send local Indigenous governance structures. The Fitzroy Valley plea to for all levels community has developed a highly innovative whole of Treasury and Fi- community governance framework called the Fitzroy Val- of government to cut nances representa- ley Futures (FVF). The FVF, provides the interface needed red tape to enable a tives to attend an for effective communication and a coordinated approach new arena of place annual meeting of to service delivery between government, stakeholders, based solutions to community members and all service providers. It is essen- the Fitzroy Valley tial that the FVF and similar structures are invested in to complex problems Futures group to develop collaborative solutions which fully engage Aborig- like Foetal Alcohol explain how govern- inal people’s local expertise and knowledge to successfully Syndrome Disorder. overcome disparity and achieve the shared outcomes of ment expenditure is government and community. ” being spent on local initiatives.” b. Subsidiarity and community governance. MWRC calls on the Commonwealth government to send Treasury and Finances representatives to attend an annual meeting of the FVF group to explain how government expenditure is being spent on local initiatives. It is understood that $30.3 billion is spent on Indigenous people by Commonwealth, State and Territory governments each year. This amounts to $43, 449 for each Aboriginal person per year. Based on these numbers $121,657,200 is spent in the name of the 2,800 Aboriginal people of Fitzroy Crossing. It is understood that much of these funds are spent on mainstream services that benefit all Australians, however, as the chief revenue raiser and controller of taxpayers funds, the Com- monwealth government needs to account for itself to strong communities like Fitzroy Crossing.

10 11 Key points - the Australian Early Development Census - the Lililiwan protocol for a population-based active case 1 Marninwarntikura Women’s Resources Centre Fitz- ascertainment study of the prevalence of foetal alcohol roy Valley (MWRC) works with government and other spectrum disorders (FASD) in remote Australian Aborig- partners to create long-term sustainable solutions for the inal communities people of the Fitzroy Valley. It has painstakingly worked with the Council of Australian Governments, the Com- 5 Following IAS recommendations the MWRC submis- monwealth government and a variety of national and inter- sion was based on a comprehensive, integrated approach national partners to build up a world’s best practice strat- encompassing the five IAS programs safety and well-being, egy to repair and rebuild problems such as Foetal Alcohol children and schooling, jobs, land and economy, culture Spectrum Disorder, alcoholism and Early Life Trauma. The and capability and remote Australia strategies. The IAS IAS process has severely disrupted this work and has result- application and assessment process provided no guidelines ed in a 60 per cent funding cut to the network of services as to the protocols for this and it seems had not made any that are the heart of the strategy. From start to finish the provision to fund several of these areas from the outset. IAS process has made profound mistakes that must be rec- “From the outset tified. 6. The IAS process was rigid with predetermined out- “The capacity for the lack of any form comes that excluded many valuable community develop- MWRC to lead and Initial Dialogue about the IAS ment areas. of consultation or 2 From the outset the lack of any form of consultation or be sustainable is working with “senior working with “senior decision makers”, as originally stated Outcomes threatened by the decision makers”, as by the IAS , meant that the rhetoric of inclusion was base- 7 The IAS failed to invest in future solutions and has de- IAS budget cut- less. MWRC was never given the opportunity for the “joint livered a budget cut to basic, core services to children and originally stated by development of solutions”. Furthermore there was confu- women. Without substantial funding from other sources backs.” the IAS , meant that sion about the amount, scope and time frame for funding the Fitzroy Valley community will invariably suffer greatly the rhetoric of inclu- available under the IAS. as a result. For example the closure of MWRC’s early childhood centre will have a devastating impact on all other sion was base-less. ” Application for IAS Funding services in Fitzroy Crossing 3 The IAS application process was cumbersome and confusing, and offered none of the clarity that was promised in 8 MWRC is a prominent organisation in a key leader- the initial communications about the amalgamation of 150 ship position bringing much national and international programs into five areas. The application process and time attention to the Fitzroy Valley. The capacity for MWRC frame seemed to be designed not to engage constructively to lead and be sustainable is threatened by the IAS budget with local leaders, aspirations, innovations, ideas and solu- cutbacks. What marks out MWRC and its remarkable out- tions. The process of consultation was non-existent. comes has been the policy, communications, research and networking power of its executive and board. The cuts to 4 The IAS called for no evidence base for funding appli- the front line areas of MWRC service delivery cripple the cations. In this it ignored critical population and evidence capacity for this forward thinking to occur. based information about the Fitzroy Valley and MWRC’s work: Negotiation of IAS Funding 9 The IAS negotiation process has involved meetings - the 2010 Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy with officials who were clearly themselves confused. Household survey of Fitzroy Crossing auspiced by the Each meeting with PM&C resulted in misinformation MWRC. for MWRC. The expectation was that MWRC could plan around this information. However at each subsequent - the 2014 Department of Child Protection and Family meeting new or altered information was put on the table. (DCPFS) report on family violence 2008-2013 MWRC is now approaching all negotiations with trepida-

12 13 tion. The whole process has created an enormous amount Introduction to Marninwarntikura of disruption, distress and confusion throughout MWRC but also within the larger community. Marninwarntikura Fitzroy Crossing Women’s Resource Centre (MWRC) is an incorporated Aboriginal organisa- Next Steps for MWRC tion, which has been in operation for two decades. MWRC 10 The MWRC will continue to foster its collective im- is located in the Fitzroy Valley, in the central Kimberley of pact approach to the problems of the Fitzroy Valley We will Western Australia where it provides a number of vital hu- continue to conduct regular collaborative discussions with man services for Indigenous women and children. government, the private sector, philanthropic organisations and high net worth individuals to maximise the economic, MWRC is a holistic facility, with a core purpose, to secure social and cultural well-being of Aboriginal women and the safety of women, and in turn, the region’s young gen- children in Fitzroy Crossing. In doing so it is disappointed erations. Its strategic objectives focus on reinforcing safe that to facilitate this it may have to look to international or- family and community environments, to ensure children ganisations to take up the slack created by Commonwealth are supported and cared for. While further empowering funding cutbacks. children and women to access appropriate forms of education and learning, and employment opportunities to ensure “The whole pro- children grow into culturally vibrant and healthy adult- “MWRC is a holistic cess has created an hoods. facility, with a core enormous amount purpose, to secure Over recent years MWRC has taken its learnings as a of disruption, dis- prominent and proactive organisation in the community the safety of women, tress and confusion development space to develop a considered and informed and in turn, the re- throughout MWRC community reconstruction strategy. MWRC’s primary gion’s young genera- work in harm prevention is underpinned by the critical un- but also within the derstanding that positive experiences accumulates to form tions. ” larger community.” generational change. It is paramount that in making the right change the work of MWRC is tracked through rigor- ous measurement and monitoring frameworks.

The cornerstones of MWRC’s reconstruction work are the restrictions on the sale of full strength alcohol in the township of Fitzroy Crossing (something which MWRC must continually advocate for to ensure they continue and are enforced) and MWRC’s ground-breaking work in the diagnosis, prevention and support of families and children living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Both of these community development initiatives which have been a first in Australia’s history have received bipartisan support and endorsement from consecutive governments.

Marulu is the Bunuba word for precious and worth nurturing. It is also the name of the Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and Early Life Trauma (ELT) initiative in the Fitzroy Valley driven by MWRC. The big message that Senators need to understand is that in supporting a community to nurture the health and wellbeing of women and children government cannot falter in funding holistic

14 15 organisations such as MWRC which drive community col- The idea of de-funding the remarkable local interventions laborations and cohesiveness. that are making progress in overcoming this crisis of world significance is simply not an option. The failure of the IAS to respond to the short and long-term community development needs outlined in MWRC’s appli- In the midst of the Fitzroy Valley humanitarian crisis cation is not a trivial matter. It is a matter of a failure to act Marninwarntikura has created a strong strategy, method- in relations to a humanitarian crisis in the Fitzroy Valley that ology and evidence base to break the cycles of intergener- has been validated by social scientists, medical science and ational harm and to work at building a pathway for future community knowl- generations to have a edge. 21 per cent or better life than today. 1 in 4 Fitzroy Val- The net effect of the ley young people 2014 Indigenous Ad- suffer from FASD. vancement Strategy The incoherent (IAS) places MWRC’s process of the IAS work of the past de- “The failure of the has the most press- cade in jeopardy. “Marninwarntiku- ing needs of the IAS to respond to Fitzroy Valley. The The evidence MWRC ra’s campaign to end the short and long- data collected on has accumulated family violence and around the preva- term community FASD leaves no child abuse at Fitz- doubt that the Fitz- lence of FASD and development needs roy Valley is in the the implications of a roy Crossing in WA’s outlined in MWRC’s midst of a human- significant propor- remote Kimberley application is not a itarian crisis which tion of the popula- region is now inter- tion with brain based trivial matter. It is requires consistent nationally regarded investment, urgent disabilities points to a matter of a failure attention and on- huge sums of poten- as world’s best prac- to act in relations going considered tially unnecessary t i c e .” spending in areas of to a humanitarian community and government ac- health, education and crisis in the Fitzroy tion. The IAS has the criminal justice Valley that has been failed to acknowl- system. The estimated validated by social edge that the Fitz- health and education cost alone of just one scientists, medical roy Valley is dealing with an issue of Source: FASD Prevalence in the Fitzroy Valley: The Lililwan Project James Fitzpatrick incidence of Foetal science and commu- global significance. On behalf of the Lililwan Project Chief Investigators June Oscar, Maureen Carter, Eliza- Alcohol Spectrum nity knowledge. ” Further, due to the beth Elliott and Jane Latimer Disorders (FASD) cumbersome appli- is estimated to be cation and disjointed negotiation process of the IAS MWRC has $A26,000 per annum by American and Canadian research- not been recognised by PM&C for its internationally renowned ers. The life time cost of FAS, not including child welfare, work leading the way in community based interventions. law enforcement and related costs, may reach as high as $A3.05 million. As this suggests the Fitzroy Valley without As the graph above shows Fitzroy Valley FASD and FAS/ the MWRC interventions and preventive programs Federal pFAS combined prevalence is among the highest ever and State governments could face a bill of many hundreds reported, and similar to high risk populations in Juvenile of millions of dollars. detention and Cape Province communities in South Africa. Marninwarntikura’s campaign to end family violence and 16 17 child abuse at Fitzroy Crossing in WA’s remote Kimber- Comments on the IAS based on the terms of ley region is now internationally regarded as world’s best the Senate Inquiry practice. (See Appendix One for select newspaper articles on the reform process 2007-2015) The work around as- It was with a sense of expectation but also some wariness sessing the prevalence of FASD enabled the community that MWRC approached the IAS application process. As to understand the full impact of the chronic oversupply of MWRC Executive June Oscar made clear in her Charles alcohol into the region on unborn generations, the chronic Perkin Oration in October 2014 there was from the outset a oversupply had to be stopped. In 2007 Marninwarntikura feeling of trepidation and confusion about the process: spearheaded a successful community intervention to leg- islate against the sale of full strength alcohol. In the imme- “…as I speak of the fiery and ferocious desire for change diate aftermath it created a relative sense of calm and this in the 60s, tomorrow’s date is firmly at the forefront of “This incredibly provided the space for other preventative measures to be my mind. Applications for the Australian Government’s challenging but introduced. Its ongoing success is demonstrated by the fact Indigenous Advancement Strategy are due for submission at 2.00 pm tomorrow. Across Australia’s diverse meaningful work that alcohol-related domestic violence incidents are down by 43 per cent and emergency health assistance for alcohol multilingual and cultural landscape of Indigenous in- has provided clar- related injuries has been halved. stitutions based in non-mainstream and urban settings, “How does an appli- ity for Marnin- we are all competing for the same pool of limited funds This incredibly challenging but meaningful work has pro- cation form which warntikura to form and resources. The strategy has amalgamated 150 provided clarity for Marninwarntikura to form a strategy grammes into five broad based areas, while cutting 500 asks us to prove a strategy which which moves from crisis work to a positive investment million dollars from Commonwealth Indigenous de- commitment to In- strategy through four goals of: nurturing young children moves from crisis velopment funding. The reduction of programmes and digenous partici- work to a positive to reach their full potential, strengthening families through funds, the government says, will cut red tape and allow inter-generational healing of life trauma, grief and loss, for a “new way of engaging with Indigenous people…to pation, reflect our investment strategy facilitating economic participation and building a sustain- jointly develop and implement place-based solutions that histories as organ- through four goals able, enabling organisation. will sustainably improve outcomes”. Their statements are isations that have consistent with what many Indigenous leaders have been of: nurturing young Given the Prime Minister’s strong commitment to Aborig- arguing for years. been established, led children to reach inal people, the re-organisation of Aboriginal funding and and governed by In- agencies at Commonwealth level and the rhetoric of em- their full poten- Still, with a rhetoric which promises partnership and digenous people?” tial, strengthening powering local Aboriginal communities, one would have collaborative decision making, we have to ask; thought that MWRC would have been a logical place for families through the Commonwealth to invest. How does this strategy, categorising our lives into five inter-generational sets of criteria and objectives predetermined by external Because the Commonwealth is the primary collector and healing of life trau- power, represent a new way of engaging with Indigenous allocator of public funds the Indigenous Advancement people? ma, grief and loss, strategy (IAS) is a calamity of unfathomable, long term pro- facilitating econom- portions for remote and regional Aboriginal communities. How does an application form which asks us to prove commitment to Indigenous participation, reflect our his- ic participation and In putting this submission to the Senate Inquiry MWRC implores the Senate to understand the negative impact tories as organisations that have been established, led and building a sustain- of the Commonwealth’s actions and to support a funding governed by Indigenous people? able, enabling or- strategy which guarantees a continuity of funding to organ- And how does an application which seeks no explanation ganisation..” isations that are making a difference at grass roots levels based on demonstrated evidence and data. of our strengths or past achievements hope to sustain meaningful and measurable outcomes for us into the future?

The Australian government is committed it says, to im-

18 19 proving our lives; to getting us into work; to getting our on service collaboration, consortia and the opportunity for kids to school; to making us more law abiding trust- innovative service design and delivery; worthy citizens. These are outcomes that align with many of our visions for safer, stronger and culturally healthier The timeframe of six weeks for organisations to submit communities. information made it impossible to for MWRC to do justice to the application process. MWRC nonetheless went to a But, presented in this authoritarian frame of directive great deal of trouble and effort and devoted scarce funds language and punitive measures, there is a distinct ab- towards the IAS process. MWRC prides itself on its ability sence of Aboriginal inclusion, participation and local to work in an open, transparent and accountable way with self-determination in devising these outcomes and the its primary partner the Commonwealth government. From means necessary to achieving them in regional contexts. start to finish the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) represented a fundamental breach of trust, its time frame The strategy’s overriding objectives- to working with was impossible, the negotiation process was non-existent Aboriginal people, to doing a better job, to coordinating and its rhetoric of inclusion base-less. The whole process and targeting investment - is not misplaced. But, it is created an enormous amount of disruption, distress and within its language where its convictions falter. Because “There was no effec- confusion throughout MWRC but also within the larger “MWRC has language gives meanings to practice. Fitzroy Valley community. tive way of engaging formed multidis- Even the title’s proclamation to advancing Aboriginal with Indigenous MWRC has formed multidisciplinary and cross sectoral ciplinary and cross people, resonates with a bygone era. There is a subtext partnerships to enable its ground-breaking and forward people envisioned to the word. Advancing from where? And to where? The planning work to take place. It is these relationships with sectoral partner- by the new office of connotations are negative. It doesn’t speak to Indigenous diverse stakeholders and all tiers of government which ex- ships to enable its Indigenous Affairs cultural richness, our resilience and the injustice we have emplifies MWRC’s ability to work in an open, transparent ground-breaking experienced and in many cases, continue to experience.” within the depart- and accountable way with its primary partner the Com- and forward plan- monwealth government. The Indigenous Advancement June Oscar, “Speaking truth to community empowerment of Prime Min- Strategy (IAS) not only reneges on its own original state- ning work to take ment: Turning community action into national policy”, ment of intent to develop with communities place-based ister and Cabinet.” 14th Charles Perkins Oration, Great Hall, University of place. It is these and co-designed solutions, but it is dismantling the essen- Sydney NSW, 16th October 2014 relationships with tial ground-work that MWRC has constructed through its diverse stakehold- In so many ways June’s concerns anticipated the debacle valuable partnerships with government. These relationships of the IAS process. There was no effective way of engaging take time to form and rely on a high level of trust. The dis- ers and all tiers of with Indigenous people envisioned by the new office of ruptive policy shift which has taken place through the IAS government which Indigenous Affairs within the department of Prime Minis- is a fundamental breach of this trust. The ground work that exemplifies MWRC’s ter and Cabinet. There was no way that an application form was done to ensure that the Fitzroy Valley strategy is worth could possibly capture the history of organisations led and noting. Fitzroy Valley was picked as a Council of Australian ability to work in governed by Indigenous people. There were no measurable Governments (COAG) priority site for cooperation and an open, transpar- or meaningful outcomes to be used in assessing the merits whole of government work. This formed the basis of shared ent and accountable objectives across all levels of government. of applications. Local Aboriginal inclusion, participation way with its primary and self-determination was just not a factor in the applica- The IAS promised no disruption to continuous programs tion, assessment or evidence base of the IAS process. And partner the Com- on the ground, that has not been the case. It is this shift in June was right to ask: advancement from where? The fact monwealth govern- arrangements in how we can work with PM&C that has that some of the government rhetoric was drawn from In- disrupted communications m e nt .” digenous leaders own views made the IAS betrayal of faith in Indigenous people and organisations hard to bear. When a service is disrupted such as our early childhood learning facility Baya Gawiy – there is a cascade effect on -the effect of the tendering timeframe and lack of notice who else it effects. Families, local women who are working

20 21 that depend on their children to be cared for, other services cies in the ways in which government could make savings. who’s workers need their children to be cared for, with- Regional and remote area based organisations can suggest a out childcare it’s a deterent to many potential specialised myriad number of ways that government can make savings workers who could have possibly benefited the community by rationalising red tape, reporting and by coordinating the greatly. visits of Canberra based bureaucrats and by better use of online meetings and discussions. In the end the net result Not to mention it is a fundamental right of every child and of the IAS meant cutting areas of funding without utilising should be the right of a woman to be able to enter into the the local intelligence of each Aboriginal organisation. This workforce, which in turn will bolster the regional economy. in the case of the Fitzroy Valley, and no doubt many other areas of Australia, has disastrous consequences. The Commonwealth needs to consistently provide recur- rent expenditures to back up past investments in bricks and There were several other disappointing dimensions of the mortar, capital investments. If this is not done then at min- IAS process. It was unclear as to the status of the funding imum the financial investments of the past will go to waste. agreements, special accounts and special appropriations The Baya Gawiy Buga yani Jandu yani u Centre is a case in that were subject to the IAS process. point. Children attending this centre for three months are “The Common- fifty per cent less likely to have unexplained absences from It is also beyond belief that even before the funding round “It is also beyond be- wealth needs to con- school. Given that the building was a $6.25 million dollar opened over half of the $4.9 billion which the IAS had lief that even before sistently provide re- capital investment in 2012, it is economic folly not to keep reportedly offered for tender was committed to existing the funding round the building alive and well staffed. Yet this track record of programs. The government made no attempt to ensure that current expenditures government not supporting capital assets is a story that has organisations were aware of this. In fact it exacerbated the opened over half to back up past in- been repeated many times over in Aboriginal communities. problems by listing a long series of eligible areas of funding of the $4.9 billion vestments in bricks when, from the start, there was clearly not any funds allo- which the IAS had It was these initiatives that were formed through COAG and mortar, capital cated to support these areas or possible innovations. As a reportedly offered and now their operational survival is threatened. This is a result the IAS process effectively wasted each organisations investments. ” failure in policy discourse and implementation. precious time, resources and energy for tender was committed to existing When compared with the 2014 budget over the next five -the opportunities created for innovative service design and years MWRC faces a funding gap of $12.3 million dollars. delivery, and the extent to which this was reflected in the programs.” This is a crippling shortfall in funds. It is impossible to tell outcomes of the tender process; the economic impact that this would have on the region because of the networked services we offer that are integrated The IAS process seemed to invite new innovative service into many other agencies. design and delivery. However it effectively de-funded all of the innovative dimensions of MWRC activities. In this -the clarity of information provided to prospective tender- respect the IAS process was deceptive, de-moralising and ill ers concerning service scope and outcomes; informed.

This was one of the worst dimensions of the IAS process. It should be noted that MWRC appreciates that there are times when fiscal austerity is a reality and recognises the From the terms of reference it would seem that the govern- constant need for governments’ to be finding better ways ment was asking for organisations to tender for funding of investing public monies. But it is counter-productive for a four year period but this was unclear. In hindsight it if budget processes retard community and government seems that the 2014/15 Budget cut of $500 million to Com- working relationships, cease investment in solving prob- monwealth Aboriginal spending was the main focus for the lems for the most disadvantaged populations in Australia. IAS process. The more honest strategy would have been for MWRC has proven that the services it delivers are essential the government to state that it needed to make cuts and to from a socio-economic perspective and for the health and ask organisations how they could find ways to deliver exist- wellbeing of the population. MWRC is an organisation ing services at lower levels of funding or to suggest efficien-

22 23 that knows that systemic inequality and disadvantage can garded and breached. be tackled if the right investments are made. The evidence provided to the IAS should have meant a renewed invest- In short the IAS was poorly planned, designed and execut- ment and partnership approach from government. The ed. Despite many attempts by MWRC to make Prime Min- minimum that was expected was a continuation of funds ister and Cabinet aware of the importance of the Fitzroy at the base level. This is already inadequate and a financial Valley projects PMC officials were themselves confused, stretch for the organisations capacity. In effect the IAS re- not able to communicate and seemingly caught in a situa- sulted in a massive reduction of funding, and little certainty tion where the information they had was itself fundamen- to whether MWRC will be able to continue beyond another tally flawed. As such consultations concerning the IAS were year of operations. By all accounts, this was an unimag- like a Monty Python sketch. There was no collaboration or inable outcome. partnership so far as MWRC was concerned and MWRC continues to seek this from PMC. There was no concept -the number of non-compliant projects, the nature of the of the fundamental size and nature of the FASD problems non-compliance, if and how they were assisted, and how and the humanitarian crisis and its implications for the many of these were successful; future. Outcomes seemed to be the last thing that the IAS “MWRC is still try- was about. As has been stressed above the IAS process and “...the IAS process This is an area where there is a complete lack of informa- PMC do not and clearly still do not have any awareness of ing to consult with tion. MWRC is still trying to consult with PMC to clarify the savings and value for money from the Fitzroy Valley and PMC do not PMC to clarify the the areas of funding which were covered by the IAS and projects. The IAS guidelines did ask for governance and and clearly still do which were not. Even now nine months after the closure of areas of funding accountability and probity requirements but were unable not have any aware- IAS projects MWRC is still waiting for answers. to specify what kinds of requirements they were looking which were cov- for other than to specify that organisations receiving over a ness of the savings -analysis of the types, size and structures of organisations ered by the IAS and specified sum needed to be registered with ORAC. Clearly and value for mon- which were successful and unsuccessful under this process; which were not.” there was another set of rule for non-Indigenous organi- ey from the Fitzroy The main information available to MWRC on this is sations and this represented a double standard. It should Valley projects. ” through the mainstream media and reports from govern- also be said that MWRC is constantly trying to improve its ment. From reports it seems that a majority of the or- accountability and transparency not only for government ganisations that were funded were non-Indigenous. This but for social investors and supporters. is reflective of the fact that non-Indigenous organisations -the potential and likely impacts on service users concern- were probably better prepared to deal with the onerous and ing service delivery, continuity, quality and reliability; confusing IAS application process. The effects of the IAS cutbacks will severely harm all of the - the implementation and extent of compliance with Com- Fitzroy Valley community. Not only will the MWRC capac- monwealth Grant Guidelines; ity be severely reduced but the shock waves from the lack of It is clear that the IAS process was in clear breach of The services and jobs will harm every child and family. Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines (CGRGs) -the framework and measures in place, if any, to assess under section 105C of the Public Governance, Performance the impacts of these reforms on service user outcomes and and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act). There are so service sustainability and effectiveness; many areas of breach that it would require a separate and lengthy report to note them. Suffice to say that the seven Without a fully functioning MWRC in the Fitzroy Valley key principles for grants administration namely: 1 robust the only measures of the impact of the IAS will be the num- planning and design; 2 collaboration and partnership; 3 ber of police, health, community service interventions and proportionality; 4 an outcomes orientation; 5 achieving val- the rising cost of social welfare and other payments. Not ue with relevant money; 6 governance and accountability; only did the IAS fail to invest in the future it has delivered and 7 probity and transparency were all completely disre- a budget cut to basic, core services to children and women.

24 25 Without substantial funding from other sources the com- will have to bear as a result of de-funding MWRC. Without munity will invariably suffer greatly as a result. For example MWRC operating at full capacity it seems clear there will the closure of MWRC’s early childhood centre will have a need to be a massive increase in Federal, State and local re- devastating impact on all other services in Fitzroy Crossing gional funding for the Fitzroy Valley in the future. The estimated health and education cost alone of just one incidence -the information provided to tenderers about how decisions of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is estimated are made, feedback mechanisms for unsuccessful tender to be $A26,000 per annum by American and Canadian applicants, and the participation of independent experts in researchers. The life time cost of FAS, not including child tender review processes to ensure fairness and transparen- welfare, law enforcement and related costs, may reach as cy; high as $A3.05 million. As this suggests the Fitzroy Valley without the MWRC interventions and preventive programs MWRC, as apparently most Aboriginal organisations in Federal and State governments could face a bill of many Australia, continues to seek guidance from PMC about how hundreds of millions of dollars. IAS decisions were made. The feedback mechanisms so far have been as confused as the process of application was. The disappointing feature of the IAS process was that none One of the recommendations that MWRC has given due “The $12.3 mil- of the evidence compiled by MWRC seemed to have been “...MWRC highly to the extraordinary ignorance of PMC on the long term taken into account. MWRC has a strong history of employ- lion defunding of effects and costs of FASD is that independent medical and ing robust and ethical participatory engagement method- values the oral evi- MWRC over the social expenditure experts are consulted to evaluate the ologies to understand the immediate and long-term needs dence and eye wit- whole nature of the IAS process. next five years seems of women and families across the region. This is inherent ness understanding in MWRC’s inception and structure - the organisation was -the impact on advocacy and policy services across the absurd against the founded by local women and continues to be lead and gov- of continued mani- sector; future costs succes- erned by an executive body and board of women that draws festations of trauma sive Australian gov- The capacity for MWRC to lead and be sustainable has its leadership from the four Native Title holding regional across the region. ernments will have been decimated by the IAS budget cutbacks. What marks language groups - Bunuba, Gonniyandi, Walmajarri and However, over recent out MWRC and its remarkable outcomes has been the Wangkatjungka. MWRC highly values the oral evidence to bear as a result of policy, communications, research and networking power and eye witness understanding of continued manifestations years there has be- de-funding MWRC.” of its executive and board. The cuts to the front line areas of trauma across the region. However, over recent years come an increasing of MWRC service delivery cripple the capacity for this there has become an increasing need to provide statisti- need to provide sta- cal evidence to reinforce what people are witnessing and forward thinking to be done because every available dollar tistical evidence to must be used for primary services. The IAS seems to have experiencing on the ground. MWRC has seen this as an op- the object of reducing an innovative organisation to a pas- portunity to develop an evidence base that clearly defines reinforce what peo- sive social welfare service provider. the extent, depth and relentless nature of the trauma and ple are witnessing challenges which the community and those working in the and experiencing on - factors relating to the efficient and effective collection community face on a daily basis. and sharing of data on outcomes within and across pro- the ground.” gram streams to allow actuarial analysis of program, co- The data that MWRC has gathered on the Fitzroy Valley hort and population outcomes to be measured and evalu- population has provided a very accurate picture of the cur- ated; rent social, health and economic dynamics of the region. This regional evidence base includes, The research developed by MWRC is world class. The population surveys auspiced by MWRC represent a better evi- - Population Demographics dence base than any official census data which is what most - Alcohol related violence and health issues Aboriginal organisations must rely on. The $12.3 million defunding of MWRC over the next five years seems absurd - The prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. against the future costs successive Australian governments

26 27 It is MWRC’s commitment to evidence-based ways of with government through the Indigenous Advancement working along with a strong history in responding to the Strategy has been an exercise in dealing with public poli- concerns and needs of the community that aligned MWRC cy incoherence. MWRC approached the policy goals and with the original intentions and aspirations of the Indige- outcomes of the IAS as an opportunity to establish a better nous Advancement Strategy. As stated on the PMC website, working relationship with the Commonwealth and build MWRC were encouraged by the government’s approach, on the organisations many local achievements together. that it was keen through the IAS “to ensure that funding Unfortunately, it has become clear that MWRC’s IAS ap- goes to organisations that can work effectively with Indig- plication was assessed from an uninformed positon. Fund- enous people and their communities; particularly those ing amounts appear to have been arbitrarily decided upon organisations that employ Indigenous people and that un- when compared to the total amount of funds requested by derstand what needs to be done to improve Indigenous life MWRC and then randomly allocated to areas of the organ- outcomes”. isation. In the worst case funds have been allocated to run programs in particular areas of MWRC where the base lev- -the extent of contracts offered, and the associated condi- el of operational costs have yet to be met. This means that tions, to successful applicants; in certain cases the IAS funding reserved for the running of programs is effectively “dead money” as MWRC cannot “As is stands the con- As is stands the contract design and associated conditions “the process of en- afford to open or staff the facilities that would house them. tract design and as- offered to MWRC are completely inadequate and will lead gaging with gov- sociated conditions to the closure of many MWRC services as well as the po- ernment through tential mothballing of buildings. offered to MWRC References the Indigenous Ad- are completely in- - the effect of mandatory incorporation under the Corpo- Empowered Communities, Empowered Peoples, Wunan vancement Strategy adequate and will rations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 on Foundation, 2015 has been an exercise Indigenous organisations receiving grants of $500 000 or lead to the closure more per annum; James P. Fitzpatrick, The Lililwan* Project – Prevalence in dealing with pub- of many MWRC of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in remote lic policy incoher- MWRC is an Aboriginal Corporation under the (Aborigi- services as well as Australian Aboriginal communities, Doctor of Philosophy ence. ” nal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 in Medicine thesis, 2015 the potential mothballing of buildings.” - the effect and cost impact of delays in the assessment June Oscar, “Speaking truth to community empowerment: process and the extension of interim funding on organisa- Turning community action into national policy”, 14th tions pending the outcome of the Indigenous Advancement Charles Perkins Oration, Great Hall, University of Sydney Strategy; and any other related matters. NSW, 16th October 2014

MWRC is still negotiating with PMC to address the short- June Oscar, “Securing our Rights for the future of our chil- falls of funding and to determine what the allocation of dren: Alcohol Restrictions and FASD in the Fitzroy Valley, funding it has been granted can be used for and over what Kimberley, Address to the Public Health Association of time frame. PMC staff are themselves confused about this Australia, 16 September, 2014 and so the effect and cost of the delays of the assessment process have had a calamitous effect on the capacity of MWRC to deliver services and to go about its normal business. The current period of negotiations is as haphazard and poorly executed as the IAS has been from the start.

Conclusion This submission highlights that the process of engaging

28 29 Abbreviations ATSIC - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Appendix 1 Select Media Articles on Marnin- warntikura 2007-2015 CAEPR - Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research WA: Fitzroy women call for alcohol ban CDEP - Community Development Employment Pro- 478 words gramme 17 July 2007 Australian Associated Press General News CSP - Community Service Provider AAP English FAS – Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (c) 2007 Australian Associated Press Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved INDIGENOUS By Liza Kappelle FASD – Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders PERTH, July 17 AAP - Aboriginal women in a troubled region of West- ern Australia’s north have launched their own plea for help, with a call IAS – Indigenous Advancement Strategy to the state government to ban alcohol sales. Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre chief executive June Os- JSP - Job Service Provider car has also asked Premier Alan Carpenter to visit Fitzroy Crossing to discuss with the women how alcohol is fuelling social problems. KALACC - Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre The Kimberley region women propose solutions including more polic- ing to protect the community and a KLRC - Kimberley Language Resource Centre 12-month moratorium on alcohol sales, along with outreach and support services for men. MWRC – Marninwarntikura Fitzroy Valley Women’s Re- “This is a cry of `enough is enough’ from the women of the Fitzroy val- sources Centre ley,” Ms Oscar said. “I think, well I know, it is time now for some real, drastic action ... We NGOs - Non-Governmental Organisations are focusing on safety and protection for children, for old people and families, and we know that alcohol has just been allowed to be con- pFAS – Partial Foetal Alcohol Syndrome sumed everywhere as well as the licensed outlets.” Ms Oscar’s appeal follows weeks of political argument between the PBC - Prescribed Body Corporate federal and WA governments over how best to stamp out child abuse in indigenous communities. PMC – Prime Minister and Cabinet (the Commonwealth Almost 30 men or boys have been charged with sex offences against department overseeing the Indigenous Advancement Strat- children in a crackdown by WA police in the last few weeks. egy roll out and consultations). Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough has offered to extend to WA the commonwealth government’s indigenous intervention program in the Northern Territory, with military and logistical support and health checks. WA has so far rejected the offer, saying it only needs more police. Ms Oscar today said she did not want to get caught up in any political “argy bargy” but the community would accept all genuine commitments of help. “We need to get the best of all worlds, because it is not just an Aborigi- nal problem and it is not just a problem that has arisen overnight. “There has been neglect by all of us and we all have to carry our portion of the blame.

30 31 “Equally, we all need to be working together to find solutions.” arrangement was a “disgrace” and should be investigated. Earlier today, a teenage boy became the 13th person charged as part of “There is nothing worse than our own people living off the misery and Operation Barnham, an investigation into child sexual abuse at Halls illness of others,” Mr Quartermaine said. “Its a crime if you sit back and Creek. watch others suffer from rampant alcohol abuse when you belong to the A 16-year-old boy from the Frog Hollow community, near Warnum, community. was charged with sexual penetration of a child aged between 13 years “I find it totally inappropriate for an indigenous community or its and 16 years. leader to own a pub and be profiteering off the misery it causes from the It was not immediately known when and where he will appear in court. sale of alcohol.” Twelve other men or boys have also charged with child sex offences Mr Quartermaine said he wanted to discuss the operations of Leedal against girls as young as 11 at Halls Creek. and the Crossing Inn with Health Minister Jim McGinty but had been Fifteen people have been charged with similar offences in the Aborig- repeatedly refused a meeting with him. “What I find unbelievable is that inal community of Kalumburu, also in the far northern Kimberley the whole town has been aware of whats going on but no one, including region. law enforcement and the Government, has done anything about it,” he Five extra child protection workers yesterday flew into Halls Creek to said. “Its been allowed to go on for too long.” assess whether any children should be taken from their parents. Leedal is run by representatives of four Fitzroy Aboriginal groups. Its xxx chairman, Patrick Green, refused to return calls made by The West Out in the bush, the Aboriginal pub that poisons its own Australian yesterday to discuss the companys affairs. But Australian JESSICA STRUTT <> PAUL ARMSTRONG Securities and Investments Commission records show it has not posted 986 words an annual return since February 2003. 21 July 2007 Mr Bowen said Leedal received 70 per cent of the profits generated by The West Australian the lodge and the inn and this money was ultimately returned to the T WAU Aboriginal communities for which it was trustee. English But he refused to say how much money the outlets made. (c) 2007, West Australian Newspapers Limited xxx EXCLUSIVE Backing for Fitzroy ban on takeaway drink grows There are two groups of Aboriginals who know all too well what a roar- JESSICA STRUTT and GABRIELLE KNOWLES ing business the Fitzroy Crossing Inn is. One is made up of the locals 521 words who hand over huge wads of their wages and welfare cheques in return 28 July 2007 for the liquor that is at the heart of the towns chronic health, violence The West Australian and education problems. T WAU The other comprises those who own the controlling stake in the drive- English through and hotel bonanza. (c) 2007, West Australian Newspapers Limited In the alcohol-ravaged Kimberley town, calls are mounting for sales of The Aboriginal women leading a push for a 12-month ban on takeaway takeaway liquor to be banned as part of a push to rid the community of alcohol sales in the Fitzroy Valley emerged confident of winning State its horrific consequences. Government support for their controversial plan yesterday after a series A letter sent to Premier Alan Carpenter this week by some of the local of meetings with high-ranking Government officials in Perth. Aboriginal women demanded a And their plan continues to win local support, with a majority of Derby 12-month moratorium be imposed on packaged alcohol. West Kimberley Shire councillors at a council meeting on Thursday But those with the ability to grant their wish live in and around Fitzroy night giving their backing to the 12-month moratorium on takeaway Crossing. alcohol sales. Investigations by The West Australian have revealed that the Aborig- June Oscar and Emily Carter, of Fitzroy Crossings Marninwarntikura inal-run company Leedal Pty Ltd owns 70 per cent of the two liquor Womens Resource Centre, said their meetings yesterday with the Gov- retailers in town - the Crossing Inn and the Fitzroy River Lodge. ernments special adviser on indigenous affairs and senior bureaucrats A further 26 per cent is held by another Aboriginal company, the Can- allowed them to provide some background on the problems plaguing berra-based Fitzroy Investments, which receives taxpayers funds from their town which had led them to call for the ban. Ms Oscar said the the Federal Government under an arrangement known as Indigenous 100 women who supported the ban were doing it for their families. Business Australia. “Where life is at for many families in the Fitzroy Valley its time for se- The remaining 4 per cent is owned by Perth businessman and long-time rious and drastic action,” she said. “Weve been reassured that they hear publican Wayne Bowen, who is also paid by his Aboriginal partners to what we are calling for but the real reassurances are going to be in the run both businesses. actions. Support seems to be escalating day by day.” The Aboriginals ownership of the pub which is blamed by so many Former ATSIC acting chairman Lionel Quartermaine said the State for the locals desperate plight yesterday sparked a furious attack from Government response to the Kimberley sex abuse crisis showed it was former ATSIC acting chairman Lionel Quartermaine, who said that the not taking the matter seriously enough.

32 33 He said there did not seem to be any long-term strategic response east of Broome, said: “We are seeing it more and more. Women in the being formulated by the Government to cope with the enormity of the Kimberley have reached a point where they have no other option but problems. He urged the Government to make people selling alcohol in to stand up and be counted in all areas affecting themselves and their remote communities more accountable. children. We do not take pleasure in this. It’s just a reality.” “Im amazed how the Labor Party is so relaxed in their attitude to indig- Ms Oscar -- who is pushing the Carpenter Government to implement enous affairs and dealing with child abuse and the alcohol abuse that a 12-month ban on take-away alcohol sales, which would allow Fitzroy goes on in the State,” he said. Crossing to “stop and think” about the damage grog is doing to her “The biggest problem we face as indigenous people is weve got our own people --said a women-only bush camp three weeks ago reaffirmed a people selling alcohol and dope in the communities, we dont need any- determination by 100 Aboriginal women from the four language groups one else ripping us apart because were doing it ourselves. of the Fitzroy Valley to safeguard their children from sexual predators “Its a meltdown right across the State.” and confront those who believed domestic violence was acceptable. Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service chief executive Henry Councillor This power shift is being welcomed by senior police investigating wide- said the Governments response so far to the Kimberley crisis had been spread allegations of child sex rings in remote communities. So far, de- more reactive than proactive. tectives attached to Operation Barnham have laid a total of 38 charges He said the Government had to turn its mind to long-term strategies to against 21 men and boys, including sexual penetration of a child and deal with the fallout of the Kimberley child sex scandal. He called for indecent dealing. more counsellors on the ground. Operation Barnham follows another continuing investigation in far- “I think its just a knee-jerk response and theres been very little thought flung Kalumburu, 900km northeast of Broome, where at least a dozen about how things need to go in the long-term,” he said. men have been charged with numerous child sex offences. “Wheres the support behind all this, not only for the victims but for the “The women of Halls Creek and surrounds have been fantastic,” said perpetrators.” A 20-year-old man charged with the rape of a 12-year-old Kimberley detective Inspector Paul La Spina. girl at the Warmun Aboriginal Community in 2004 is the latest person “It has been a very difficult period for them but they have risen to the arrested over child abuse in the Kimberley. The man cannot be named occasion and are helping us at every turn.” because he was 17 at the time of the alleged offence. Olive Knight, a leader from the Wangkajunga community southeast of Twenty-one men, 15 adults and six juveniles (at the time of the offenc- Fitzroy Crossing, said indigenous women felt a “great sense of loss” at es), face a total of 38 charges. Police withdrew three charges against a the situation of many Aboriginal men. Halls Creek juvenile. She believed all Aboriginal women wanted their men to “get well” and xx once again claim their traditional leadership roles. Shift in power to women of the Kimberley This could happen only if culturally appropriate programs were in place, Tony Barrass she said. 594 words “Take them out bush and talk to them, and isolate these issues and ask 1 August 2007 them, `Why have you been disempowered?,” Ms Knight said. The Australian Xxx AUSTLN THE WIVES WHO SAID TIME, GENTLEMEN... English 1,804 words Copyright 2007 News Ltd. All Rights Reserved 31 October 2007 A NEW voice is emerging from indigenous West Australian communi- The Independent ties crippled by child sex scandals, alcoholism and dysfunction, and it is IND coming from those who for countless generations have deferred to their English male elders. (c) 2007 Independent & Media PLC The unprecedented empowerment of Aboriginal women throughout World | The story of Fitzroy Crossing is a tragically common one among northwest Australia is under way, not through want but from necessity. Australia”s Aborigines: rampant binge-drinking and the appalling social It has been sparked by the steady demise of the male within Aboriginal problems that go with it. But then the town”s women set about turning social structures across the Kimberley. off the taps. Kathy Marks reports ++ Alcoholism in Australia This seismic shift in communal power may well be the only chance On the banks of the Fitzroy river, in the remote Kimberley region of many remote communities have of survival. Grog, lawlessness and a north-west Australia, stands the century-old Crossing Inn, a squat brick breakdown of community life in and around towns and communities building with a facade adorned with paintings by local schoolchildren. such as Halls Creek, Kununurra and Fitzroy Crossing demand it. The Crossing Inn is a local landmark. It operates the only off-licence in Women are now making major decisions directly affecting the way they the town, and is the source of most of the alcohol blamed for the ap- and their families live, while many males -- ravaged by alcohol and palling social problems that have ravaged the largely Aboriginal town of shrinking in numbers -- struggle to maintain any standing within and Fitzroy Crossing: domestic violence, child abuse, disease, dysfunction, outside their communities. premature death and suicide. June Oscar, who heads the Fitzroy Women’s Resource Centre, 400km Indigenous communities across Australia suffer from such problems,

34 35 indeed a recent official report blamed “rivers of grog” for a host of inter- 1,082 words connected social ills. But few places suffer to the same extent as Fitzroy, 18 December 2007 a “forgotten” outback town of 1,500 people that barely figures on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Transcripts national radar. Despite hand-wringing by politicians and media com- ABCTRS mentators, life rarely seems to gets better in such places. English But now Fitzroy may be proving the exception, thanks to the efforts of (c) 2007 Australian Broadcasting Corporation a group of local women. They decided that drastic action was needed ALI MOORE: The prominent child health specialist Professor Fio- and lobbied the state government for a 12-month ban on all takeaway na Stanley has told an inquest into alcohol related deaths in Western alcohol sales from the Crossing Inn. Australia’s Kimberley region that excessive drinking is creating another Last month, in a victory for the women, the licensing authority intro- stolen generation. duced a six-month ban on takeaway sales other than low-strength beer. Three months ago the 7:30 report revealed the number of Aboriginal These are now the toughest off-licence restrictions in Australia. Fitzroy deaths caused by alcohol in the Fitzroy Crossing area was close to 170 Crossing has become the site of a social experiment. Does prohibition people in the past five years. - even partial prohibition - work? Is it possible to break the cycle of de- The 7:30 Report has revisited the tiny community which has sought spair and drinking that leads to violence and premature deaths, prompt- to stem the flow of alcohol by banning full and midstrength takeaway ing yet more despair and drinking? sales for six months from its only pub. And tonight we can also reveal June Oscar, one of the women who campaigned determinedly for the a report commissioned by the Federal Government has made scathing ban, believes so. She says that the locals need a respite in which to put claims about the running of the Indigenous owned company which together a plan for the future. Otherwise, she warns, they may have no runs that pub. future. Doctors report that up to one-quarter of babies in the Fitzroy Hamish Fitzsimmons reports. Valley - the town plus surrounding communities - are born with foetal HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: In most country towns the sight of children alcohol syndrome. playing in the streets might not seem out of the ordinary. But here in “It”s about our children,” says Ms Oscar, the chief executive of the Fitzroy Crossing it’s remarkable. Marninwarntikura Women”s Resource Centre, which runs a domestic It was just three months ago that this tiny community was being torn violence refuge and other services. “What”s happening here is not nor- apart by grog. mal. It”s about the survival of our people. What will we become if things JOE ROSS, COMMUNITY LEADER: We just had over 170 deaths in continue getting worse? Our cultural traditions, our language and laws, the last five years, just about all of them were alcohol related. will be lost. We are facing the destruction of our people through alcohol HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: Sick and tired of the drinking and violence, and drugs.” the local women’s centre came up with a solution, a six month suspen- While the ban is supported by Aboriginal elders, it has met bitter oppo- sion on full strength takeaway sales. sition - from drinkers who claim that their “human rights” have been JUNE OSCAR, MARNINWARNTIKURA WOMEN’S RESOURCE infringed, and, not surprisingly, from the liquor trade. Alcohol is only CENTRE: We needed to get respite, we needed to address the volume of available from two outlets in the town: the Crossing Inn and the bar at alcohol that was available in this community. the Fitzroy River Lodge, a motel complex. In a bizarre twist, both those HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: As a result of that ban, if someone wants to businesses are Aboriginal-owned. drink anything stronger than light beer, they can go to the pub’s main Most problem drinking takes place not inside the bars, but back at the bar or the nearest bottle shop, a 600 km round trip. The Women’s Re- communities, where large amounts of takeaway alcohol are consumed. source Centre has noticed a big difference in people’s behaviour in just Ms Oscar says the ban is already having positive effects. “People are three months. getting a good night”s sleep. There”s been a reduction in the number JUNE OSCAR: Alcohol certainly exacerbated the level of violence and of women coming into our refuge, and a reduction in alcohol-related frequency of violence and therefore women and children needing to trauma patients admitted to the hospital.” seek refuge at the women’s shelter. We’ve seen a steady decline in the At the police station, Senior Sergeant Ron Boehm reports “a huge numbers. reduction in the amount of alcohol being consumed”, and a marked MAUREEN CARTER, NINKILINGARRI HEALTH SERVICE: Before decrease in after-hours call-outs to domestic assaults and antisocial the ban we’d have children congregating around the tourist bureau till behaviour, from about seven a week to one or two. quite late at night but since the ban there’s, you know, you don’t see kids Vivien Gordon, a police liaison officer in the town, said alcohol had hanging around out there anymore. I guess they must feel safe to go blighted countless lives in the area. “My hope now is for the next gener- home. ation,” she told The Australian newspaper. HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: The ban has been so successful other com- Xxx munities are using Fitzroy Crossing as a role model. Grog ban produces positive results Fitzroy Crossing Inn GRANT AKESSON, WA DRUG AND ALCOHOL OFFICE: We’re Grog ban produces positive results Coroner to investigate starting to see more communities start to go down the line that Fitzroy’s deaths in Fitzroy Crossing gone and making noise about well these are our problems, these are things we want to do to address it. Hamish Fitzsimmons

36 37 HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: Despite the apparent success on the re- 992 words striction on the sale of alcohol here at Fitzroy Crossing, there are vocal 25 May 2009 opponents of it. Unsurprisingly the licencee of this hotel is one of them. NoticiasFinancieras He says the bans have actually failed because they don’t address the real NFINCE problems in the town. English PATRICK GREEN, HOTEL LICENSEE: I think it’s easier to slap a ban Copyright 2009 NoticiasFinancieras. All Rights Reserved. on them than to deal with the real issues. In 2007, a group of aboriginal women from Fitzroy Crossing in Western HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: Before the ban the Crossing Inn sold the Australia decided that the only thing that could save their community bulk of takeaway alcohol in the town. from going under was to impose a complete ban on the sales of take- Xxxx away alcohol.

38 39 We have seen an increase in school attendance. Furthermore, a lot more and others to get help. people have entered into employment, and people are generally look- It has also allowed us to educate and inform as many people as possible ing a lot healthier. We witnessed people making better life choices and about the terrible impacts of alcohol use in pregnancy. And we’ve done being a lot more responsible when they are using alcohol. this without pointing any fingers. Without shaming or blaming. IPS Do you think a drinking ban should be implemented in the whole We have already talked to politicians. We have twice presented to the of Australia? United Nations in New York. And we have talked at FASD conferences JO: I think there is a real opportunity here for some honest discussion around the world. We have established the Marulu unit (a word from about how alcohol is seen as part of the Australian culture. There is a the Bunuba language meaning precious), employing locals to educate need for a real discussion with the breweries, which profit from the across all sectors - teachers, health workers, police - as well as mothers, Xxxx fathers and the young people who will be future parents. Opinion This is all aimed at developing a community that is safe and caring. Research uncovers hard truths We know this is a long road to travel. We have a nurturing cultural life Maureen Carter and June Oscar around which our community revolves -but these foundations are trem- 660 words bling under the deep unresolved issues of trauma that our communities 19 January 2015 carry as a result of our histories and personal experiences. Sydney Morning Herald We understand women drink for all sorts of reasons, many that we SMHH cannot change. But we know we must have supports in place to help First women make safe decisions. 17 From all we have learnt on our journey, we are aware that this is not just English a problem for our community. Foetal alcohol spectrum disorders are an © 2015 Copyright John Fairfax Holdings Limited. issue for every community where alcohol is present. Our community has its work cut out to combat foetal alcohol disorders, We hope we stand as an example of one brave community that has not write Maureen Carter and June Oscar. brushed aside the truth but has stood firm as we approach the huge Seven years ago, our community took the decision to put in place alco- challenge that lies ahead. hol restrictions. But even after these were imposed, we remained con- In our culture, children are a precious gift, the future of Aboriginal Aus- cerned about the impact of alcohol on our children. tralia. Aboriginal people must drive the solutions to FASD in our com- We had all had experiences of caring for and interacting with children munities. We must speak out for vulnerable mothers and children and who were different. do all that we can to protect our future generations from the scourge of The mothers, the grandmothers and the great-grandmothers said that alcohol. these young children were very different from those they had cared Maureen Carter is CEO of the Nindilingarri Cultural Health Services in for before. We believed there was a strong connection between these Fitzroy Crossing. June Oscar is CEO of the Marninwarntikura Fitzroy children and the alcohol misuse during pregnancy that was occurring in Women’s Resource Centre. our community. But in order to get help, we needed to understand the burden of what was happening. Through our work on alcohol restrictions, we had already met Professor Jane Latimer from The George Institute for Global Health and Professor Elizabeth Elliott, an international foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) expert from the University of Sydney and Westmead Children’s Hospital. They were the people who could help us research the true impact of mothers drinking during pregnancy. Dr James Fitzpatrick, a well-respected paediatrician working in our region, helped us to carry out the work and continues to support our FASD prevention, diagnosis and treatment programs through Telethon Kids Institute. Our research through the Lililwan project has confirmed high rates of alcohol use in pregnancy and FASD. But we are not paralysed by what we have found. These results are the hard truths of what’s happening in our communities. Knowing how many children have FASD helps us plan how best to support our communities and the children we love. Soon these children will become adults and we also need to consider how we can care for them throughout their lives. Our research provides a wonderful tool to help us go to the government

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