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January 18, 2002 Media Release

NSWALC CONDEMNS RUDDOCK'S WELFARE ATTACK

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council has condemned Government proposals to push urban Aboriginal people into mainstream welfare services, saying the move will further marginalise Indigenous people.

"While we welcome a more concerted effort by Government to tackle Indigenous disadvantage and improve services to rural communities, we cannot allow reforms to further marginalise our urban communities," Chairman of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Rod Towney said.

NSW has Australia's largest Indigenous population. The majority live in urban areas.

"It has been proved time and time again that mainstream services do not adequately cater for Aboriginal needs," Chairman Towney said.

"This latest display of ignorance from Mr Ruddock flies in the face of current policies and programmes developed to assist Aboriginal people. If he wants to know how to help Aboriginal people, he should ask the people working on the ground."

ChairmanTowney said Mr Ruddock's comments that culturally specific welfare services for Indigenous people cause division between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, were disgraceful.

"These kind of comments are themselves divisive and highly inflammatory. The provision of specially targeted services are in place to address issues of disadvantage and discrimination. Is Mr Ruddock suggesting that Aboriginal people are not discriminated against, that they do not have very different and specific needs?"

Mr Towney also cautioned the Federal Government to tread carefully with its review of Land Councils in the Northern Territory.

"The NSW Aboriginal Land Council won't be affected by this so-called review, as we are a self-funding statutory body formed under the NSW Land Rights Act (1983). However, we will be watching this process carefully, as will all major Indigenous organisations, to ensure the Government does not undermine the Land Council system around Australia," Chairman Towney concluded.