[dropcap]I[/dropcap]ndigenous community service providers work tirelessly for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, says State Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren.
He was speaking after he introduced opposition Aboriginal Affairs spokesman David Harris to representatives and staff at Campbelltown’s local Indigenous community service groups.
“I am continually amazed at their perseverance to deliver the services these communities require,” Mr Warren said after he and Mr Harris visited Ability Options, MTC Australia, Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation and Kari.
The tour comprised visits to with the two NSW Labor MPs proud to see the commitment the staff and volunteers were making in the Campbelltown Indigenous community.
Issues affecting the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, such as access to employment, children’s services and medical needs, were at the top of the tour’s agenda.
At Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation to inspect the dental and medical services for Indigenous residents who otherwise may not get the required care, Mr Harris and Mr Warren met with well-regarded local Aboriginal elder Uncle Ivan Wellington.
The Member for Campbelltown said was keen to ensure his community’s needs and interests are at the forefront of Labor policy development leading into the 2019 NSW Election.
Last month NSW Labor announced that in government they would pursue a treaty with the First Nation’s people, following on from similar efforts by Labor Governments in South Australia and Victoria.
The state wide treaty would involve people representing different groups across NSW and will likely include a broad set of commitments addressing many of the concerns raised by those Indigenous community service providers that Mr Harris and Mr Warren met with.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“The Campbelltown area has significant Aboriginal population with well-developed community services and NSW Labor is keen to promote and support the self-determination of these not for profit and community groups,” Mr Harris said.[/social_quote]
“I was pleased to accept the invitation of hard working local Member Greg Warren to listen to the concerns and aspirations of his local community so that their issues are considered in the formulation of detailed election policy.”
Mr Warren said it was “wonderful to have NSW Labor’s Aboriginal Affairs spokesman in Campbelltown to engage with and listen to our local Indigenous community service providers’’.
“I am proud to say that a NSW Labor Government will pursue a Treaty with the First Nation’s People, as it is so important to recognise the role and history they have had on this land,” Mr Warren said.
Chris Brogan