Labor accused of wooing rednecks

THE Northern Territory Opposition is trying to distance itself from its record on indigenous issues, declaring it doesn't want the "redneck white vote" in the coming election.

The Country Liberal Party (CLP) is wooing Labor's traditional black vote, urging indigenous leaders to look to the future.

As the June 18 NT poll nears, CLP Leader Denis Burke campaigned today in the NT's biggest Aboriginal community, at Wadeye, 270km south-west of Darwin, where remote polling will be held tomorrow and Friday.

"I'm finished in terms of fighting Aboriginal people on issues such as ownership and control," Mr Burke said.

" We need to work together.

"When I was chief minister this was the atmosphere we were in then.

"When you are in opposition, you look around and you see the opportunities that were missed.

"(It's) a recognition of the fact that if we want to get the territory to be an economic powerhouse, Aboriginal people are integral to that objective."

Mr Burke's words appears to mark a major shift for the party that introduced mandatory sentencing laws and opposed land rights during its 27 years in government.

He accused Labor of taking the Aboriginal vote for granted and slammed the party's policy to jail drunks if they refuse to undergo rehabilitation.

He said Labor was using Aboriginal people as "puppets" to win votes in Darwin's crucial northern suburbs seats, where drunks fighting, begging and swearing are considered to be a major problem.

The CLP has a similar zero tolerance policy against antisocial behaviour, with plans for a Public Order Act, mandatory sentencing for property crime and a youth curfew.

But Mr Burke said Labor was wrong to jail people over what was essentially a health issue.

"If the CLP loses this election, at least we'll have integrity at the end of the day because I won't stoop that low to win a vote," Mr Burke said.

"I don't care if I lose a few votes in the northern suburbs.

"It's to cater for a redneck white vote, and I won't have it."

However, he stood by a CLP policy to jail petrol sniffers, saying sniffing was an illegal act.

The CLP indigenous policy unveiled today includes a new "culturally oriented" prison in east Arnhem Land, and establishing a system of indigenous representation, similar to that of ATSIC regional councils which the federal Government is currently axing.

Mr Burke also contradicted his own new policy that said the CLP would match any spending from the Aboriginal Benefits Account used to improve economic development.

Instead, he told reporters the CLP would "underwrite" or guarantee a Northern Land Council pledge to become a partner in the massive trans-territory pipeline project, rather than match the funds contributed dollar for dollar.

NT Leader of Government Business Paul Henderson said Mr Burke's rhetoric was unbelievable as he had "championed One Nation" and opposed every single Aboriginal land claim while in office.

"All Territorians know what the CLP did and didn't do over 27 years – their apathy and neglect saw Aboriginal Territorians miss out on all scores including jobs, housing, health, and education.

"Burke's rhetoric and abuse today on the campaign trail will not paper over the appalling legacy of Burke and his party.

"His words today are unbelievable."

AAP

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Wed, 08 June 2005
Source: Daily Telegraph (Australia)
Author: Karen Michelmore
Copyright: 2005 News Limited
Contact: letters@dailytelegraph.com.au
Website: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/113