WA remote Indigenous community closures - timeline

Key events in the plans to close hundreds of remote Indigenous Australian communities.

Remote communities in WA say their way of live is under threat if services are cut by the WA Government. (SBS)

• Community closures plan announced by WA Premier Colin Barnett, with thousands of people facing eviction from their homes after the withdrawal of essential services 
• 150 of 274 remote communities in WA are facing closure
• Funding for services including electricity, water and waste services are being handed to states and territories by the Commonwealth who has not provided funding for beyond June 2015.
• In WA the state Government has said it will not pick up the tab, resulting in the closures.
• Government figures show about 12,000 Indigenous people live in more than 270 communities.
• In 115 of those communities, there is an average of just four people.
• Residents angered at the plans and lack of consultation before the decision was made
• Fears the move will create large population of refuges, negatively impact other towns and lead to health and social issues

 

September - November 2014

 

Federal Government reveals funding responsibility to be handed to states. Plan to close remote communities revealed; WA Premier blames Commonwealth funding withdrawal as the reason. Labels communities facing closure "unsustainable". 

March

 

WA Premier Colin Barnett addresses protest rally opposing closures and receives a hostile reception.

 

Actor Hugh Jackman declares support for preserving communities in viral social media post.

Rally against planned closures of remote communities. The protest was one of several nationwide and followed Prime Minister Tony Abbott's description of living in remote communities as a lifestyle choice. (AAP

Leaked document reveals the WA Government was considering closing communities as early as 2011.    

 

PM Tony Abbott defends the defunding of remote communities by the Federal Government, sating: "what we can't do is endlessly subsidise lifestyle choices" generating a fierce backlash and accusations of racism. The PM refuses to apologise.

 

WA Premier Colin Barnett's attempt to justify closures claiming sex abuse is causing high numbers of STI cases amongst under 16-year-olds shown to be untrue.  

 

Indigenous leaders hold crisis talks over looming community closures.  

 

April

 

Thousands protest around Australia against closures in capital cities.

 

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson declares support for remote communities remaining on their land.

A deal between the Federal and South Australian governments has secured the future of remote Indigenous communities. More than 1500 members of the remote Indigenous communities will be able to remain in their homes under the $15 million. 

 

May

 

Thousands expected to attend rallies around Australia and the world in protest against the closures.