September 22, 2010
ABOUT 100 people from the embattled Northern Territory community of Yuendumu have sought refuge in South Australia, against the advice of NT police.
The SA Government released a statement saying it had initiated an emergency response following the arrival by bus of more than 100 Yuendumu residents in Adelaide.
Premier Mike Rann said that due to the short notice given to the SA Government, agencies had worked tirelessly through the night to prepare for their arrival.
"The SA Government was given hardly any notice even though accommodation, schooling and urgent medical care has to be arranged," he said in a statement.
"South Australia will do all we can for people who have been forced to flee their community.
"The safety of families must and will be our greatest priority."
The exodus was prompted after tensions between family groups in the remote NT Aboriginal community escalated early last week following the fatal stabbing of a Yuendumu man in Warlpiri town camp in Alice Springs.
Yuendumu, about 300km northwest of Alice Springs, was in lockdown for several days after rioting broke out about 4pm (CST) on Tuesday, September 14.
Up to 50 culprits, armed with sticks, iron bars, spears and nulla nullas, were involved in a series of brawls.
Four people were injured in the riots, and a house and six cars were set on fire, police said.
Additional Northern Territory police, as well as members of the Territory Response Section, travelled to the community to maintain order.
Police issued travel warnings and urged motorists to avoid travelling to Yuendumu until order was fully restored.
However, it was revealed yesterday that up to 100 of the community's 800 residents acted against NT police advice by relocating to a secret location in Alice Springs before moving on to Adelaide.
Mr Rann said the media knew of the relocation before the SA government.
"By the time our agencies were officially informed, the buses were already on their way from the Northern Territory."
He said he was "puzzled by the hands-off approach" of the NT and Federal governments.
"More than 100 homeless people have been bused in with no notice, no preparation and no planning."
A spokesman for the NT Government said the bus to Adelaide was not arranged or funded by the NT Government.
NT Police had hoped to organise mediation between the family groups involved in the riots, to avoid any further "pay-back style" unrest.
More than 15 people have been arrested over the fighting in Yuendumu and eight have been charged.
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