Resistance grows over closures
Opposition to the State Government's plans to close remote Aboriginal communities is intensifying despite Colin Barnett backing away from a call to shut 150 of them.
Almost 1000 demonstrators marched from the city to Parliament yesterday in the biggest protest yet against the Premier's declaration that the number of remote indigenous communities needed to be slashed.
A day after flagging a softening of his position, Mr Barnett admitted he was partly to blame for the divisive nature of the issue after saying he wanted to close 150 of the State's 274 communities.
However, Mr Barnett stood by claims a "significant number" of them were unviable and would eventually need to close in favour of bigger communities with better access to government services.
And he appeared to tie the prospect of State funding to the performance of communities in areas such as school attendance, the prevalence of drugs and alcohol and rubbish disposal.
"A lot of people, politicians included, over the years have said a lot of the nice and comfortable things," he said.
"But the situation still is unacceptable - not for the majority but a number of Aboriginal communities. No person will be forced from their land. No person will be forced from their community.
"But the State will not be able to provide services across that many communities."
Organisers said more than 80 events were due to be held worldwide protesting against the closures plan.
In Perth protesters stopped traffic as they marched chanting "always was, always will be Aboriginal land" and carrying signs stating "close the gap, not communities" and "let's not repeat history".
Amnesty International indigenous rights manager Tammy Solonec told the rally it was essential Aboriginal people were involved in decisions affecting them.
She said moving Aboriginal people from their communities would backfire because it would break connections with land and culture and force people to move into bigger towns and cities where they would have greater exposure to drugs, alcohol, violence and ultimately incarceration.
Perth MP Alannah MacTiernan told the rally Mr Barnett's plans had sparked such a profound reaction that people were realising something had to change.
