Alfred Smallwood isn’t happy with State Government over On Country tender
A number of traditional owners have taken aim at the State Government over its handling of Townsville’s On Country program.
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A number of traditional owners have taken aim at the State Government over its handling of Townsville’s On Country program.
Representatives of the Bindall people told the Townsville Bulletinthey were not consulted about an on country program funded by the State Government to tackle youth crime. It is understood the Wulgurkaba people were not contacted either.
Gr8motive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation was awarded the contract by the Child Safety, Youth and Women Department to deliver a $1.5 million On Country trial, despite operating on the Atherton Tablelands.
Aboriginal elder Alfred Smallwood said he was one of a handful of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives not to be contacted as part of the tender process, despite holding a high profile in the community.
Mr Smallwood said he was outraged by the “lack of respect” from policy makers and said his award as Townsville’s 2019 Senior of the Year as chairman and co-ordinator of Uncle Alfred’s Men’s Group Local Drug Action Team meant little to them.
“I’m not too happy let me tell you,” he said.
“No one from the government has come and approached me and I’ve been working with these young people for a long, long time with no funding from anyone and no one’s even talking about the families — you will not get through to these young ones unless you get through to the families.
“I heard someone in Atherton got the funding and I’ve never even heard of who they are, so it’s amazing we have a huge issue here in Townsville and the funding goes to someone outside. Why can’t they get their own funding?”
The Bulletin was told the Gudjuda Reference Group — which represents the Bindall people — supported Three Big Rivers in its tender but was not contacted either.
Indigenous activist Gracelyn Smallwood said it was her understanding the application was not considered due to mishandling in its receipt during the tender process.
The Bulletin contacted Three Big Rivers, which said it was unable to comment due to commercial in confidence laws. The Child Safety, Youth and Women Minister’s Office said it was unable to comment for the same reason.
Outraged by the process, Dr Smallwood said she wanted an investigation.
“It’s like them giving a Townsville group funds to go over to Western Australia to deal with their youth and crime problems,” Dr Smallwood said.
“It’s clear that things have been done the wrong way.
“There’s far too many public servants with degrees and no relevant life experience making serious decisions so, of course, there has to be an investigation.”
A Department of Youth Justice spokeswoman said the selection panel included a majority of representatives who identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and who were external to the Department of Youth Justice.
Originally published as Alfred Smallwood isn’t happy with State Government over On Country tender