Aboriginal Law Bulletin; Aboriginal Development Commission --- "Inquiry Into Homelands Centres" [1986] AboriginalLawB 7; (1986) 1(18) Aboriginal Law Bulletin 6

• Inquiry Into Homeland Centres
• Consultation
• Standing Committee On Aboriginal Affairs Itinerary

---

Inquiry Into Homeland Centres

The Federal Government is examining homeland centres and the outstation movement.

Mr Alan Blanchard, Chairperson of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, has advised that the Committee is to inquire into and report on:

"The social and economic circumstances of Aboriginal people living in homeland centres or outstations, and the development of policies and programs to meet their future needs."

The Committee has invited submissions from interested organisations and individuals. Some visits have already been made to Docker River, Warburton and Wingelina.

Mr Blanchard said that the Committee intends to recommence its itinerary of visits in the New Year.

The target date for tabling of the Report in Parliament is late 1986.

The, homeland centres were created when Aboriginals moved away from the larger community centres to traditional lands in an attempt to re-establish cultural, religious and traditional links.

Recent government policy had been shaped to provide assistance to these communities to install such basic essential utilities and services as shelter, potable water and communications.

The Aboriginal Development Commission has submitted a report to the inquiry, outlining its role and its views on strategies for this special group. The recommendations contained in this submission are:

• A survey of basic needs for outstations and homeland centres should be undertaken as a matter of urgency, and used to develop appropriate projects together with outstation and homeland centre groups.
• A study should be conducted to determine appropriate technology and suitable designs for dwellings at outstations and homeland centres.
• A study should be conducted on developing arts and crafts and other enterprise projects appropriate and feasible for outstations and homeland centres.

Consultation

• Commonwealth policies and services as they affect outstations and homeland centres should be developed jointly by small working groups at the national and regional levels from the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, the Aboriginal Development Commission and state departments, in consultation with the Australian Aboriginal Affairs Council.
• Suitable and flexible guidelines should be established to provide for appropriate levels of assistance to outstations and homeland centres.
• Excisions from pastoral lands on traditional land should be expedited to enable outstations and homeland groups to establish on these incisions.
• Funds should be provided under the CDEP Scheme to outstations and homeland centres and be coordinated with other funding programs for establishing appropriate infrastructures at outstations and homeland centres.
• The Aboriginal Development Commission should have the function of providing dwellings and other facilities at outstations and homeland centres and should be provided with sufficient funds and staff to do so.
• Commonwealth and state government agencies should provide resources where necessary and as requested to outstations and homeland centres.
• Aboriginal land councils and other relevant organisations should be regularly consulted on the level and type of services and programs available to outstations and homeland centre groups.

Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs
Itinerary

February 24-28

Public hearings/informal visits: Alice Springs - Darwin.

April 21-25

Visit Pitjantjatjara homelands.

May 12-16

Visit Arnhem Land.

Further visits are being planned for the parliamentary winter recess: North Queensland, Kimberley, Plibara and possibly Central Australia.

Contact for information:
Mr David Elder, Secretary
Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600
Telephone [phone]

ADC News, Vol 2, No 2, p7