Dear Ms Keneally,
It has come to my attention, that
recently in Parliament, you responded to Elizabeth Farrelly’s SMH article [a
response you repeated in your E-Herald 3 March 2006 Edition]. In particular the
AHC’s interest is in relation to issues you raised regarding the Block and the
Pemulwuy Project; and my CEO Michael Mundine has asked me to write to you.
I would like to take this
opportunity to make two points, in keeping with the spirit of setting the record
straight. Firstly, in the six years that I have been involved with the AHC’s
Pemulwuy Project, for the life of me, I can not recall a single occasion where
you have made inquiries with the AHC about the Project or anything for that
matter in relation to the Block. Clearly then, wherever you are getting your
information from it isn’t from the AHC, and considering we are the proverbial
horse’s mouth, I’m concerned that the quality of your sources are somewhat poor.
In contrast, Elizabeth Farrelly has made a point to visit the AHC on many
occasions, on her own accord, for updates and briefings as to the progress of
the Project. Consequently, I’m inclined to consider at this point in time Ms
Farrelly’s views on these issues are more objective, and considerably more
informed than yours. I offer the opportunity to correct this disparity of
knowledge, and invite you to visit our office for a briefing on the Pemulwuy
Project.
My second point is regarding your
claim that you “knew of many local Aboriginal people and groups who had
concerns, or just did not support the Aboriginal Housing Company’s
proposal”. I have to tell you that gave us a good laugh here in the office,
because Ms Kenneally, the bought opinions of Abo-crats on the NSW Government
payroll are not worth the 30 pieces of silver your Government paid for them. On
the other hand if there are genuine trepidations with individuals in the
Aboriginal community I’m pleased to address them with each individual concerned.
If these people actually exist kindly forward my contact details to them and
extend my invitation to be briefed on the Pemulwuy Project.
The Pemulwuy Project represents a
good balance of high quality affordable housing, available for homeownership,
and economic and education opportunities for Aboriginal families. The Project
has been recognised internationally as best practice for its social planning and
crime prevention strategies. The Project will not require a single cent of State
Government money. Most importantly the Pemulwuy Project is an Aboriginal
community driven initiative and not just another government plan forced on the
community.
Realistically, there is no group or
community in the world that can claim 100% consensus on every issue every time
[case in point: the Australian Labour Party] so why should the Redfern
Aboriginal communities be any different? I’m sure you would agree that if the
ALP was required to achieve 100% consensus on every issue before proceeding with
a decision, your government would come to a grinding halt.
I await your response to my
invitation. And I look forward to meeting with you soon.
Regards, Peter
Valilis | Project Director
P.S. I have CC this letter to
Elizabeth Farrelly; and REDWatch for distribution through their network, could
you also please distribute it to your mailing list network?
Elizabeth Farrelly’s article referred to above was The reality behind the
Redfern plan: a boon for the big end of town and Kristina Keneally’s response in Parliament is contained at the end of a statement about Redfern
Development .