Indigenous Organisations Forum

Forum Report

This report summarises the key discussion points and community solutions suggested by participants at the Stakeholder Forum held in Alice Springs on 20 June 2007.

Participants discussed a range of issues about the definition and interpretation of antisocial behaviour in Alice Springs. The key points of discussion are:

  • Definition of ‘antisocial behaviour’ is dependent on a person’s own experience and culture.
  • Because different people have different interpretations on what constitutes antisocial behaviour, consideration needs to be given to people’s tolerance for different behaviours.

Participants also discussed the importance of understanding and addressing the underlying causes for antisocial behaviour – that is, solutions need to be found to address the causes, not just the symptoms. The key discussion points were:

  • There is a need to understand why people have alcohol problems
  • The importance of addressing issues arising from poverty and giving people the opportunity for self-respect and decision-making
  • The need to re-establish a caring community in Alice Springs
  • The need to break down barriers within the community
  • Issues of over-representation of Indigenous people in the justice system needs to be addressed
  • The loss of cultural identity is a significant issue for some Indigenous communities. Strong cultural leaders are needed.

Some participants felt that a number of programs and services have worked well in the past. However, many of these programs have stopped because funding had been discontinued.

Creating a caring community

One participant felt that there is an increasingly reliance on government as the sole provider of welfare and support, resulting in less goodwill and care in the community.

While there are a number of issues that the Alice Springs community needs to work together to resolve, there was general agreement that “the problems are not insurmountable”. Participants agree that, as a community, a number of small tasks can be initiated to begin addressing the problems.

One participant described how on a cold day in Alice Springs, the commercial radio used to broadcast a call for blankets for people who are in need. This does not happen anymore.

Initiatives such as a soup kitchen that is open everyday of the week and actions such as calls for blankets on cold days can be easily established to re-create a caring community in Alice Springs for those who are impoverished.

Urban drift

Participants discussed a range of issues around urban drift in Alice Springs. Overall it was felt that Alice Springs is a service centre for many communities and there are a range of reasons why people come into town, including:

  • To visit family and relatives
  • To access services, e.g. medical, sports, essential needs, etc.

However, there is a view that urban drift has increased, particularly in the last two years. Some of reasons provided by participants were:

  • People leaving dysfunctional communities
  • People being isolated from their communities
  • Lack of proper housing in communities and the opportunities to access public housing in Alice Springs
  • The ‘bright lights’
  • More activities in town, e.g. more things to do.

Urban drift was considered common amongst all age groups.

Alcohol management

There was general agreement that

  • Alcohol-related antisocial behaviour is caused by poverty, unemployment and lack of social networks
  • Alcohol is seen as too easily accessible because of the large number of outlets in Alice Springs.

Participants made a number of suggestions to address alcohol-related antisocial behaviour, including:

  • Adequately resourcing of support services, e.g. rehabilitation and treatment, for those with alcohol problems and repeat offenders
  • Empowering respected individuals within families to provide guidance and support to those who are at risk
  • Introducing an ID process to track and monitor people purchasing alcohol
  • Support for individuals post-rehabilitation and treatment so that they do not fall back into the cycle of alcohol abuse.

Education, skills development and employment

Participants agree that realistic employment opportunities need to be available, particularly for Indigenous people. This involves:

  • providing people with meaningful tasks that leads to improving their quality of life
  • employment strategies that recognises cultural differences and businesses
  • opportunities for people with minor criminal offence history to be considered for appropriate work.

Young people

For young people, one of the reasons why they engage in antisocial behaviour in Alice Springs is because there are not enough activities in town for them to participate in.

While there are a number of youth centres in Alice Springs, there is a view that they are under-utilised.

Participants also discussed the work that has been undertaken by the Youth At Risk Taskforce.

The Department of Employment, Education and Training also discussed the programs that are in place to engage children and young people, such as those which provide opportunities for children in rural and remote communities to attend school, and the Football Academy initiative.

The community solutions suggested by participants include:

  • A greater need to educate parents and families about the importance of education for children
  • Reviewing and improving the types of activities available for young people, particularly for after-school. These could include: sports, drama, music, dance and art
  • Re-thinking the spaces available in the community for young people to go to
  • Connecting the existing facilities for young people in town
  • Empowering individuals to become strong role models for young people
  • Schools, businesses and the community to work together to better prepare young people for work.