Twelve months ago, I called out Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for being missing in action on the Kimberley booze crisis. Two years before that, I described the youth crime wave in the Kimberley as a war zone—a description that sadly, still holds true. Last week, the Prime Minister finally visited Kununurra, however, it was glaringly obvious to WA voters that his trip to our north was nothing more than a calculated election campaign stunt, offering no real solutions.
The Kimberley is grappling with some of the nation’s most pressing challenges: skyrocketing family violence rates, a youth justice system in disarray, and entrenched poverty exacerbated by policy failures. Yet, during his visit, Albanese failed to provide a concrete plan to tackle Indigenous health issues in the wake of his Voice referendum failure, offered no strategy to combat the crime scourge, and had no meaningful answers for families and communities desperate for help.
While the Prime Minister was parading in front of cameras in Kununurra, the Kimberley was once again facing the brutal reality of unchecked violence. Just four hours away in Halls Creek, a man was attacked with an axe in a horrific assault involving six people. The incident, part of a violent 24-hour spree, resulted in eight arrests and the deployment of additional police. This grim episode underscores the crisis engulfing the Kimberley—one that the Federal and State Labor governments seem unable or unwilling to address.
On his whistlestop tour of our top end, Prime Minister Albanese ignored the Northern Territory’s plea to stop distributing welfare payments the same day takeaway alcohol is available, which has been repeatedly linked to the escalating crime crisis in Alice Springs. This week The Australian quoted NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy, who said it was “abundantly clear that alcohol continues to play a significant role in enabling harm within our communities”.
Crime and youth justice are primarily the responsibility of the State Labor Government, so I ask - where is Premier Roger Cook? Two years ago, State Labor promised to develop an “on-country” youth detention centre in the Kimberley, providing a culturally appropriate alternative to sending young offenders to Perth’s Banksia Hill facility. So, where is it? Once again, State Labor has failed to deliver.
At the Federal level, the picture is equally concerning. Youth intervention programs are funded by the Federal Government, yet many of these initiatives appear to duplicate State efforts or fall short of being fit for purpose. I have written to Prime Minister Albanese and former Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney, calling for an urgent audit of youth intervention funding to ensure money is going where it is needed most. My calls for action have been met with silence. Did Mr Albanese meet with anyone in Kununurra to discuss these issues?
Labor has trumpeted its $4.7 billion package to combat family and domestic violence, announced last year. While funding commitments are important, they are meaningless if the resources don’t reach those most in need. The Kimberley—one of the region’s most in need— received zero funding under the latest round of Safe Places Emergency Accommodation grants. This glaring omission raises serious questions about whether Labor’s initiatives are targeted where they’re needed most.
In contrast, I have witnessed firsthand the urgent need for greater support in our communities. Before Christmas, I visited women’s refuges throughout my electorate, as I do every year. The message from frontline workers was clear: they need more emergency housing, resources, and funding to combat the scourge of domestic violence.
All of the above is exacerbated by Labor’s disastrous decision to scrap the cashless debit card in the East Kimberley. I am told by community leaders that this short-sighted move has led to increased alcohol abuse, gambling, and family violence. With more cash readily available, children are going hungry while substance-fuelled violence surges. Labor ignored the warnings, prioritising political symbolism over practical solutions—and the consequences have been devastating for our communities.
The failure of the Voice referendum should have been a wake-up call. Australians want practical, results-driven solutions to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians. But instead of offering a Plan B to the Voice, the Labor Government has remained silent on how they intend to tackle the chronic issues of poor health outcomes, overcrowded housing, and lack of educational opportunities in our Indigenous communities.
Labor’s weakening of bail laws and cuts to early intervention programs are also making matters worse. They’ve allowed youth crime to spiral out of control, leaving regions like the Kimberley to bear the brunt of their inaction.
I am very happy to see that the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Dutton, has priorities that include a clear and practical plan to address the pressing issues facing Indigenous Australians. We support regional communities, with stronger law enforcement and funding programs with real results. We will reinstate the cashless debit card to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence, audit youth intervention funding, and hold governments accountable.
The Prime Minister’s visit to the Kimberley was a squandered opportunity. Instead of addressing these urgent issues head-on, it was all show and no solutions—a desperate bid for votes from a government that has lost touch with the very people it claims to represent.
*Published in the West Australian, 18 January 2025
The Hon Melissa Price MP
Federal Member for Durack
Opposition Whip
