Page 4006 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 20 September 2017
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But why it is also disappointing is that it is happening at a time when the first clients are actually undertaking the induction process to start receiving programs at the bush healing farm. It might have been preferable before debating today’s motion for Mr Milligan to seek a briefing on this matter or reflect on my previous statements so that we could have at least had this debate from an informed position.
For the benefit of the Assembly, I will again state the government’s intentions with the bush healing farm and the evidence and history which support the approach. To suggest that the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm is nothing more than a non-residential day program not only misrepresents the model and the government’s intention but also fails to understand the philosophy of healing and its importance to Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. To go back to my statement last week:
The work that will be done by the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm is not only about the individual healing journey; it is also a statement about promoting and protecting the unique and diverse cultures of our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognising the importance that culture plays not only in the wellbeing of the community, but also of the individual.
I would encourage members to consider the approach being taken by the bush healing farm before dismissing it without a full understanding of the philosophy which lies behind it or the evidence which supports it or being present to hear those words come directly from the mouths of those who have advocated for it for so long. I will say again that there is growing evidence to support the approach being taken by the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm in tackling the many issues that are faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. To quote the Healing Foundation:
Effective healing programs show positive impacts on individuals, families and communities in terms of self-worth and identity.
I would encourage all members to visit the Healing Foundation website and read the documentation for themselves. It is also worth noting that the former head of Queensland corrections, Mr Keith Hamburger, was quoted by both the ABC and Guardian Australia in June as saying that Australia needs more of these types of centres. These are just some examples from Australia but also there is strong evidence from around the globe, particularly from New Zealand and Canada, about the effectiveness of this kind of work.
This evidence and its effectiveness seem to have been ignored, and indeed the evidence supplied in support of this motion in its original form is an old press release. However, this press release is not quite as conclusive as to the intention of the bush healing farm as Mr Milligan might wish us to believe. To quote from the release, as per the motion:
This residential rehabilitation facility will take a holistic approach. The therapeutic program will support those who use the service through the rehabilitation and recovery process, and then help them make the transition back into the wider community.
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