Shane promises Aboriginal hostel

The Nationals candidate for Geraldton Shane Van Styn says people are shying away from the issue of homelessness among Aborigines.

In announcing his party’s support to a proposed 138-room hostel on Friday, Mr Van Styn said the project underlined homelessness as a prominent issue in Geraldton.

“What we see is the tendency by the media and people to keep dropping the word ‘Aboriginal’, and keep denying there is a problem and keep using the word ‘social’ for fear of offending anybody,” he said.

“We’re here today to embrace the fact that here’s a project that absolutely will benefi t the majority of people who will be Aboriginal,” he said.

Mr Van Styn made an election promise to the Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation to make the hostel a Nationals’ “priority” should he win the Geraldton seat.

Full story in yesterday's print edition