Peak Indigenous bodies from West Australia’s Kimberley region have challenged the state’s Labor government to work with them and take advantage of a “unique opportunity” to change the conversation about Aboriginal affairs.
The statement – released following the annual general meetings of the Kimberley Land Council, Law and Cultural Centre, Language Resource Centre and Aarnja Regional Body – calls on the McGowan government to engage with Aboriginal people.
The groups have called for the state government to prioritise funding and support in a range of areas including; recognition of native title, continuation of language and culture, land tenure reform and economic development.
Kimberley Land Council chairman Anthony Watson says it is frustrating that successive governments have listened to others rather than Aboriginal people.
Mr Watson criticized the previous state government and the Federal government for prioritizing billionaire Andrew Forrest’s Creating Parity report over the Empowered Communities report.
