Aboriginal residents of outback SA are having to choose between food and electricity – SBS News

Yankunytjatjara Pitjantjatjara Elder Sammy Brown was behind a complaint to the ALRM three years ago.

He was caring for his two primary school-aged grandchildren when his power was cut off and owed $12,000.

The [grandchildren] didnt like it, so I had to get family to look after them, wash their clothes, and get them to school, Mr Brown said.

We had no electricity for the washing machine or baths or to stay warm.

It took more than five months to get reconnected, during which time the grandchildren had to live with other relatives while he relied on a backyard campfire to stay warm at night and cook his food.

They cut it off and I said, Ill have to make a fire just to cook in the morning, dinner and supper," he said.

Feel no good, Mr Brown said. touching his chest. I was going to move away.

Residents struggling with their bills have told SBS News it was suggested they apply to the local Native Title group for hardship funding - designed to help with one-off costs such as sorry business, a medical emergency or household goods -to pay their electricity bills.

Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara Aboriginal Corporation (AMYAC) board members say theyve contributed $65,000 to help 65 families with utility debts since 2016.

The board has recently stopped allowing grants to be used to pay power bills and is instead calling on state and federal governments to find a solution because we know the issue is much bigger than the Council itself.

In our view, it is unconscionable that AMYAC members and Native Title holders should have to access Native Title compensation to prevent their essential services being disconnected, an open letter addressed to parliamentarians reads.

If these services cannot be sustained without significant contributions from Native Title funds, government and industry on all levels need to explore longer-term, more equitable solutions to ensure essential services are available to community members at a sustainable price.

Visit link:
Aboriginal residents of outback SA are having to choose between food and electricity - SBS News