Northern Territory petrol sniffing crisis

It was reported on the TV news today that there is a serious aviation fuel sniffing problem with some 70 indigenous youth in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory (NT).  The local adults are on to it and measures have been taken to stop access to the fuel.  I am sure the responsible adults will now look to the underlying cause(s) for such behaviour and take remedial steps.  Sadly the sniffing has led to high levels of lead in the bodies of the perpetrators as aviation fuel contains lead.

Unfortunately the TV footage shows young indigenous persons in the dark of night milking the aviation fuel from charter aircraft parked at the local airport run by the Aboriginal community.  The NT government has now provided security personnel and a guard dog and it is reported that this has stopped the nightly incursions.  The cost of this is some $70,000 per quarter.  A small price to pay to bring this situation under control.

It is all a very bad look for those northern communities and the critics of the behaviour of Aboriginal Australians will have a field day.  What they need to remember is that in communities all across Australia, indigenous and non indigenous, dozens of ice and meth users are using with drastic consequences for their physical and mental health.

I am very sad that the focus has once again been on indigenous communities, especially the remote ones whose continuing existence is often threatened for a set of complex reasons like governments refusing to continue to support essential infrastructure.

I urge my fellow Australians to keep a balanced view and not let such isolated incidents however serious get in the way of building a healthy respect for our indigenous brothers and sisters.


May the Force be with you!


GD