The ABC has reported
on the consequences of power supply cuts to sewerage pumps in a town camp
within the boundary of the town of Derby in the Kimberley.
Given that I recently posted
on this topic, I will largely let the article speak for itself, and merely note
that it is extraordinary that Western Australian citizens residing within the
town of Derby do not have access to local government services and guaranteed continuity
of standard essential services.
The article quotes a comment from the Department of
Aboriginal Affairs:
It is unfortunate that Horizon Power
turned off the power at the Derby Town Based Reserve, an action which has led
to the failure of a sewer pump. Horizon Power has acknowledged that power was
disconnected in error and its policy is not to disconnect power to essential
services," the statement reads.
"The long-term arrangements of
this and other Town Based Reserves is being considered by the Regional Services
Reform Unit."
The ABC contacted the Department of
Housing, and the Regional Services Reform Unit, recently launched by the
Minister for Regional Development Terry Redman, but they declined to
comment, directing the ABC back to the DAA.
The statement points to a deeper and ongoing avoidance of
responsibility by relevant government agencies. There is clearly a need for ministerial
involvement to cut through the evasion of responsibility and to set in train
action to implement structural reforms which guarantee Indigenous citizens access
to the same services as other residents of Derby.
It is time that local government and other essential services
are made available universally to all citizens in Western Australia.
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