By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Young African-Australians feel like they are being portrayed as criminals as a hot political debate has raged on ‘African youth gangs’.
One of the flashpoints was a State Liberal political pamphlet handed out at Noble Park railway station on 12 July, declaring it would stop “gangs hunting in packs”.
Gatluak Puoch, of the Nuer Youth Association of Australia, said the pamphlet – and the raging political debate – was slandering African-Australian youths in general.
“It hurts – it really hurts people. There are a lot of people who are contributing positively to society.
“They are working and contributing to the greater good of Australia.
“When people see African Australians, they will automatically think of them as criminal.”
It made landing jobs more difficult and the drying up of opportunities, Mr Puoch said.
Youth issues in general, not just African youth disenfranchisement had to be dealt with; the individual offenders had to be dealt with, not an entire community, he said.
“The majority of the youth are born here – so why is the government labelling them as African?
“It’s widening the gap between Australia and the community.”
Noble Park resident Hamed Bah told the Journal that the “gangs” talk was a misinterpretation of how African immigrants try to fit in.
“Most likely, Africans are always together doing whatsoever in numbers … it makes us feel at home for most of the time. Ask any youth – they will say so.”
Mr Bah said political commentary loaded “lots of negativity” on young people. He says “Australians don’t know Africans that well, which makes everything so escalating”.
“It’s shameful the way that the media carries on about it like it is a war. Remember we came from the wars, we came across seeking help but we feel as if the Government is too silent in tackling the problem.”
State opposition immigration spokeswoman Inga Peulich said it was an “indisputable fact … we have a law and order crisis including with violent youth gangs”.
“The problem of youth gang violence impacts on everyone in our communities, especially the victims.
“That’s why Daniel Andrews’ soft touch and mismanagement of law and order has been such a disaster for all Victorians who want safe and harmonious communities.”
In response to the pamphlet, Ms Peulich took aim at the response of Keysborough MP Martin Pakula, who tweeted it was “disgraceful behaviour”.
“I was a bit shocked at the local MP, Martin Pakula’s reaction given he doesn’t even live in the seat he’s supposed to represent.
“If he did live in the area he would know that in Noble Park alone, there has been a 19 per cent increase in crime comparing Dec 2014 and March 2018 quarters.”
Crime in Noble Park has however dropped by 6 per cent in the past 12 months, though crimes against the person have risen marginally.
Ms Peulich said she had collabatorated with African communities to develop a strategy and action plan. It had taken Labor three years to recently release its own $8.6 million, 10-year strategy.
“The Premier and his Ministers should have been working harder throughout the term to help address the challenges identified by many African community leaders.”
South-East Metropolitan Greens MP Nina Springle said she had been disappointed by some politicians’ “inflammatory language” but the pamphlet was “another level”.
“It was bad enough to continue to push the ‘gang’ rhetoric, but to describe people as hunting in packs makes them sound more animal than human.
“I’m not sure how anyone could put their name to that type of material.”
Multicultural Minister Robin Scott didn’t respond by deadline.
