Meetings to discuss remote community service reform

Key meetings will be held in the Pilbara and Broome as part of State Government plans to reform services to regions and remote communities.

The two new Strategic Regional Advisory Councils will hold their inaugural meeting in Port Hedland today and Broome tomorrow.

The reform process being led by Regional Development Minister Terry Redman and Child Protection Minister Helen Morton is aimed at delivering a better co-ordination of services and improved outcomes for Aboriginal people living in remote and regional WA.

Mr Redman said the councils would provide high-level strategic advice on, and identify opportunities for, change that can be made to State Government expenditure, policies and governance to deliver better social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal people.

“From our extensive travels, Mrs Morton and I have heard first hand that Aboriginal people in remote communities want change,” he said.

“They want more co-ordinated services, better infrastructure planning and most importantly, they want a genuine say in the future of their communities.”

Membership of the Pilbara and Kimberley councils includes regional Aboriginal advisors, relevant heads of State Government agencies, and a representative from each of the Commonwealth Government and not-for-profit sector.

The eight local Aboriginal leaders are: Patrick Davies, Brenda Garstone, Mary O’Reeri and Martin Sibosado on the Kimberley council and Adrian Brahim, Kate George, Triscilla Holborow and Jason Masters on the Pilbara council.