Broome’s Rosetta Sahanna won an ‘unwinnable’ seat for Labor. Here’s how she plans to use her new role for good

The first Aboriginal person to sit in Western Australia’s Upper House admits she was sitting like a “stunned mullet” as she watched history unfold from her “unwinnable” position on Labor’s ticket. Born and bred in Broome, Rosetta Sahanna was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Council as a Labor member for the Mining and Pastoral region in the March election. As the fourth pick, until March considered an unwinnable spot on the ticket, Ms Sahanna said she had “mixed emotions” about her victory. “I was No.4 on that ticket, I had convinced myself there was no way I was getting in, then as the results came in I started getting calls from people and I was just sitting there like a stunned mullet,” she said. “I found out that not only did I get in, but I was the first Aboriginal person, and I’m a woman, so it’s really exciting and quite a huge accomplishment.” Stepping up to the plate The 61-year-old said she initially found the new position daunting, but would bring her previous knowledge and experience to the role. “It’s been a bit scary because this is a big jump to where I was previously. It is a huge role and would be challenging for anyone, really,” she said. “But I’ve accepted that and I believe with the experience I have, I’m up for it and I’m ready for what it is going to bring.” Working at Nirrumbuk Aboriginal Corporation as the manager of operations for seven years, Ms Sahanna said she had particular interest in Aboriginal affairs. “I’ve been involved in Aboriginal affairs throughout my working life, so this new position will allow me to do what I’ve been trying to do for the last 30 years, to start taking action, implementing change and becoming the voice of reason,” she said. “For me, it’s time to give back, and I want to make changes that suit my people right across WA.” Sahanna’s core mission During her term, Ms Sahanna hopes to tackle issues facing young Indigenous Australians. “There are kids getting in trouble so young, and you’ve got to ask yourself what’s happening at home and where the youth services are.” On youth crime, Ms Sahanna said she supported implementing behavioural programs and preventative measures at a young age, but would like to see the criminal age of responsibility raised to 13 years old. “We need to start doing some preventative work with their families at an early age, to prevent behavioural patterns earlier rather than later,” she said. “If you start at a young age then you can prevent things happening — by the time you’re 12 or 13 you become an expert.” Ms Sahanna said the biggest problem right now was a lack of collaboration between youth service providers. “I’ve always stood up for what I believe in — accountability, transparency and inclusiveness, so I’d like to look at making organisations and services account-able and transparent,” she said. “I’m interested in bringing those agencies together, even the Shire, and asking what’s happening, what are we not doing to keep kids at home and off the streets? “We also need to work with youth and their families inclusively. You can’t deal with kids and families separately.” ‘A voice for the future’ The Wilinggin woman has two daughters and four granddaughters and said she was also passionate about raising awareness of the issues faced by Aboriginal women and being a voice for the future. “It is a legacy I’m leaving behind for my family and other women, so hopefully someone picks it up and says ‘my mum or my nanna did this’,” she said. “It’s not about me, it’s about opening the door for the next generation and the generation after that.” Ms Sahanna said she was looking forward to working with Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna. “Our role together is working and supporting each other, and I think we’ll do really well together,” she said. “I’m excited and I’m going to have fun with it,”