Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt to attend Broome community safety forum after backlash from residents

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt will travel to Broome for a community forum addressing out-of-control levels of crime in the Kimberley town. It comes after the Broome Advertiser revealed yesterday that Premier Mark McGowan and eight of his senior ministers, including Mr Wyatt, had turned down invites from the Shire of Broome for the meeting, sparking backlash in a town plagued by ongoing social issues. When the Premier’s office was asked why not one minister would attend the meeting, Police Minister Michelle Roberts said she had been advised crime rates had fallen in the past year. But in a backflip by the State Government this afternoon, Mr Wyatt confirmed he would fly up to hear from residents at the event. “After discussing these issues with the Premier, I can confirm that I’ll be attending the forum on Monday,” he said. “I’m looking forward to hearing people’s views on these issues, which I know have created challenges for the community. “We know that crime remains an issue in Broome, and we are doing everything we can to address it. We have put more resources into tackling crime in Broome than any Government in history. “We also know there is more work to do, and we are committed to working with the community to address these issues.” The Broome Advertiser also reported yesterday that Opposition Leader Zak Kirkup would be at the meeting. Mr Kirkup said the State Government had downplayed the seriousness of the situation in Broome by wheeling out selective statistics. Major crime issues reported in recent months include gangs of girls attacking children, alcohol-fuelled violence in the CBD, domestic assaults, violent youth robberies and car theft and destruction. The meeting on Monday, which has been capped at 300 people because of COVID-19 restrictions, was prompted by residents at the shire’s annual elector’s meeting last year. Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price was also invited but declined it because it is a sitting week in Canberra. Member for Kimberley Josie Farrer, Kimberley Superintendent Greg Crofts and Acting Assistant Commissioner Darryl Gaunt are expected to attend, along with a number of State Government department representatives.