Federal deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop says the Northern Territory intervention should be extended to remote Western Australia.
The Productivity Commission’s report on Indigenous living standards yesterday revealed conditions are worsening in some areas, including incarceration rates and child abuse.
The Government says it will redouble its efforts to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin says the Government is looking at extending alcohol restrictions for Indigenous people.
“It’s about making sure that where we can we extend these alcohol controls,” she said.
“We can see in the Kimberley in Western Australia that the West Australian Government has done that. In Queensland, they’re redoubling their efforts on alcohol controls and we’re putting in additional places for people to sober up.”
But Julie Bishop says that is not enough.
“The Prime Minister is currently in Western Australia, and we have known for some time in WA that the situation is dire,” she said.
“I would like to see the intervention moved into WA as well. There are some drastic circumstances for Indigenous people in the north of Western Australia.”
Ms Bishop says she is very disappointed by Kevin Rudd’s response.
“He said these results are devastating and that is right. He said we need to take decisive action, well that’s what he said before the last election, and it seems that nothing has been achieved.
“You will recall that’s why the Howard Government went ahead with the intervention in the Northern Territory because of the shocking results and the report into the abuse of children that had been going on in the Northern Territory.”