Pauline Hanson calls for a re-think of alcohol restrictions in Aboriginal communities
MEDIA RELEASE
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson wants a serious re-think of alcohol restrictions for Aboriginal communities, after her visit to Doomagee in Queensland’s remote gulf country.
The township has a predominantly Aboriginal population and is subject to strict alcohol controls that aim to help the residents but, in fact, appear to be failing and leading to other health, criminal and social problems.
“This community has high rates of binge drinking just outside the town boundary, smuggling of cask alcohol sold to locals at massively inflated prices, there has been a spike in home-distilling of dodgy spirits that has in turn caused shocking rates of kidney failure, even among teens and those in their early twenties,” Senator Hanson said.
“As in many cases where authorities introduce strict rules, people will try to find a way around them; Doomagee has been no different with regard to alcohol restrictions, and the negative impacts on the people in town is disastrous.
“I’ve been informed by local authorities, the restrictions have not curbed domestic violence, it hasn’t helped improve school attendance, kids are going hungry and committing burglaries just to find food, there’s lots of ongoing social issues including Australia’s highest rate of syphilis, and other serious health problems like diabetes and kidney failure seem to have worsened as a result of bootlegging, so the issue is worth debating.
Senator Hanson clarified that mid-strength beer was allowed into Doomagee but wine and spirits were banned.
She said that cask wine is bought in Mt Isa for around $10 and then smuggled into Doomagee where it is sold for up to $150. The smugglers, mostly locals, will also charge up to a $100 delivery fee. Restrictions to police powers mean they are not allowed to randomly search cars entering the community to counteract the smuggling.
“Local residents are spending too much money on alcohol, to the detriment of being able to buy food for themselves and their families, and then relying on the council and the school to feed the children, and police are spending too much of their time investigating alcohol-related incidents,” Senator Hanson said.
“During the wet seasons, when roads are cut by floodwaters and alcohol supplies drop, the crime and social issues improve as well, so there is definitely evidence that more workable guidelines will counteract the many problems.
“These communities are so remote, they rarely get visits from political leaders, and it’s a case of ‘out of sight, out of mind’, but they need help to improve their quality of life, so we absolutely must talk about it.
“After speaking to Doomagee Council and other authorities, I think it’s time to consider introducing a canteen in the town, so alcohol consumption can be better managed to the benefit of the town.
“I also would like to see the introduction of a cashless debit card for Centrelink payments, which has worked in other communities like Ceduna in South Australia and Kununurra in Western Australia.”
Senator Hanson also noted that massive shipments of sugar were going into remote Aboriginal communities like Mornington Island, for use in alcohol distilling.
Senator Hanson is a member of the Australian Parliament’s cross-party working group on indigenous issues, chaired by Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt MP.
“These issues will be raised at the meetings and I will not be shut down,” Senator Hanson said.
“I want positive change so residents can live better and healthier lives; everyone needs to take responsibility for what’s happening, including the mothers and fathers, local authorities, and state and federal governments.
“My concern is for these helpless children, and if we keep on going down this same path there’s no future for them whatsoever.”
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