Alcohol Abuse: It's not just about the grog

In today's post I will discuss alcohol and public housing in Aboriginal communities. Some of my views may offend, so if you are sensitive to this topic, please do not read on.

This post is about a topic that really makes my blood boil.

Today, The West Australian reported "Oombulgurri homes 'danger to occupants'". The article speaks about homes with no windows, no sewerage, unsafe electrics and "grass almost as high as the house". Nineteen houses in the area are deemed 'uninhabitable', with five of those tagged for demolition. Great.

In the same inquest into the situation in the Kimberley region, The Australian reports on 5 alcohol-attributed suicides in the community. It also reported that "...more than 100 residents - almost the entire adult population - left their bank card and pin numbers with a charter company, which flew in planeloads of alcohol in return..." Well that's just dandy. Can't be bothered to mow the lawns. Oops! broke a window. No worries, let's scheme to get alcohol flown in and blame the Government's poor management skills.

"Under questioning by John Hammond, lawyer for the families of the deceased, Mr Hamilton said the department had not provided any funding for building maintenance for two years until July last year..." Yeah, that's right, blame the Government. While the Department of Housing and Works is responsible for many maintenance problems, it is generally the tenants who are responsible for repairing damage, mowing lawns, etc.. As in any other area, a home which has been damaged beyond repair - whether by fire or vandalism - would be demolished, and the funding that would have been spent on repairing the premises is chanelled into another area.

It is disgusting that these homes were allowed to get to this state to begin with. If the area were not so remote, I don't doubt that the DHW would have kicked out the residents and boarded them up quite some time ago. Perhaps it's bad management, or perhaps the residents are to blame. I tend to lean towards the latter.

While I understand that some Aboriginal communities respect and appreciate the services the Government provides for them, I feel that most do not. I think this has been perpetuated by the 'Sorry' attitude people are encouraged to have towards the Aboriginal community, which has guilted the Government into continuing to provide services and infrastructure that would never normally be continued in any other area after so much blatant abuse.

No community - regardless of whether they are black, white or purple - should be afforded special treatment. If services are continually abused, they should be removed or changed. I believe that the access to basic housing should be considered a right, not a priviledge. But with rights come responsibilities! If you are provided with a dwelling, you have the responsibility to look after it. To not damage it, not abuse it, not let it fall into disrepair.

Aboriginal communities continually receive a bad rap. Show the country that you're not just free-loading drunks - step up to the plate and prove that you are proud of the way your country tries its' best to cater to everybody.