Soaring Kimberley youth suicide rate

I am saddened to read the article:  Chapman Murray, "Soaring Kimberley youth suicide rate demands attention," The West Australian, 28 June 2016, p19.  To quote:

"Rates of indigenous suicide in the Kimberley over the past 10 years were seven times the national average."  The national rate is 12 suicides per 100,000 people while rates in the Kimberley are 74 people per 100,000.

Professor Chapman indicates that "Indigenous suicide may be considered one of the 'downstream effects of the processes involved in colonisation followed by further cultural disruption in the wake of the efforts to recolonise."  Against this scenario he writes:  "....suicide appears to have been unknown in traditional indigenous society."  He cites indigenous youth being the group most at risk.  On top of this Professor Chapman indicates high rates of suicidality behaviours such as self harm among indigenous populations at 10 times those experienced by the non-indigenous population.

To read this on the eve of a Federal election almost devoid of any voiced commitments to indigenous affairs is a dreadful irony.  Bill Shorten did indicate that he is proud that there are more indigenous Labor candidates for this election than ever before.  If elected they face a massive challenge to address problems such as Professor Chapman's article reveals.

I still hold to my position that the Federal Parliament should have an honorary body of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prominent persons representing the various indigenous communities across Australia.  These leaders should be allowed to sit with the House of Representatives at least twice each year and be able to state their problems to the whole parliament which must listen then act in a bipartisan way.  The normal business of the House would be suspended for the period of these meetings as a sign of respect that the whole nation is listening and is prepared to act together to right the wrongs for indigenous Australians.  I ask for such a revered group with its members not restricted by political party affiliations even though some of its members might happen to be elected state or federal politicians for example Pat Dodson a senator in the WA upper house.  These respected persons are the Philosopher Kings and Queens of their people and parliament must listen.

My plan is radical but nothing ventured nothing gained.  We are not winning at the moment and indigenous persons are dying by their own hand or earlier than would be expected and indigenous youth is being incarcerated at an alarming rate. We must get the local community views directly into the parliament not have them filtered/trickled in through layers of people.

Help me gather momentum for what I have suggested.



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