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Profits not ‘Prophets’
Media statement released by eight mayors from Cape York including Cr Bernard Charlie (NPA), Cr Peter Guiverra (Mapoon), Cr Peter Scott (Cooktown) and Cr Peter McKulkin (Weipa). 2 September 2013
T
he elected Mayors of Kowanyama, Aurukun, Napranum, Mapoon, Lockhart River, NPARC, Cook Shire and Weipa Town Authority have rejected moves to give Noel Pearson any further control over funding, policy or service delivery in Cape York. We want government at all levels to acknowledge and respect that we have been elected to represent our people and should be consulted and engaged.
Mayor Bernard Charlie from NPARC said “it is time for the elected Mayors to take a stand.” Image supplied
Over $120m has been spent in the Cape by several organisations controlled by Mr Pearson with little measurable benefit. “The “GAP Plan” will create another form of bureaucracy “Black tape rather than Red tape,” said Mayor Wayne Butcher today. “Cape York leaders are screaming for support on the ground but are not being heard!” “Pearson’s Direct Instruction is an American methodology which sounds like Military or Police Academy type education” said Mayor Dereck Walpo.”What has happened to the good old fashion Australian education” “There is a lack of transparency in the awarding of the RJCP contract at Coen and Aurukun
to the Cape York Institute,” said Mayor Peter Scott. “There is little community support for the award of the contract to the CYI”. Mr Scott went on to say there is a need for independent substantiation of outcomes of the Cape York Academy model. Cooktown High School is experiencing problems with children transitioning from Hopevale (Direct Instruction) to Cooktown High. Hopevale families are moving to Cooktown to put their kids into the Christian Primary School and State School to avoid the CYAA system.” Mr Scott claims “there is a demonstrated disregard of the legislated roles and responsibilities of Local Government in Cape York”. “There are questions around Page 1
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the transparency of Mr Pearson’s programs with no real analysis of what is expended on administrative/ management costs or the benefits to the region,” said Mr Peter McKulkin from Weipa Town Authority. • Mr McKulkin called into question the cost efficiency of Mr Pearson’s concept of ‘pooled funding’ in the proposed IPPC and Mr Pearson’s involvement in education given the limited success of his current Direct Instruction programs. “Elected Cape York leaders are better positioned to
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Tony Abbott wants Noel Pearson to put his hand up for a key job in education under a Coalition government. Picture: Ray StrangeSource: The Australian
lead change rather than nonelected representatives from nongovernment organisations outside the region.” Mr McKulkin said. Mayor Philemon Mene from Napranum said “We have brought about enormous changes to the social well being and economic opportunity in Napranum in just over 12 months. This has come about by Government stepping back and giving our community a go with no involvement of Mr Pearson or his programs. Our own Whole
of Community Change Program has been an outstanding success and we have negotiated several joint ventures around economic enterprise and infrastructure. We have created over 40 jobs and there is a new energy in our town.” Mayor Peter Guiverra from Mapoon said “We are interested in profits not ‘prophets’. Mayor Bernard Charlie from NPARC said “it is time for the elected Mayors to take a stand.”