The Wire

The Federal Government has announced an extra $9.5 million to tackle petrol sniffing in Central Desert Indigenous communities. The additional funds will enable a further roll-out of non-sniffable fuel to a select number of communities and roadhouses in the region. While the move is generally being applauded, some are saying its not enough. Greens Senator Bob Brown and Indigenous health organisations are continuing their push to make the whole of central Australia free of sniffable petrol. Senator Brown put a motion to the Senate today calling for an inquiry into petrol sniffing and the merits of a regional introduction of Opal. But it’s the call to action from political heavyweights like Senator Brown that has fuelled speculation the government’s latest funding boost is merely for political show.