Spend 'to save WA Aboriginal communities'

Remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia should be kept alive by Royalties for Regions, Labor says.

Up to 150 communities are facing foreclosure after the state decided not to fill a gap in essential services funding left by the federal government.

WA opposition spokesman for Aboriginal affairs Ben Wyatt said $25 million set aside by the scheme for Aboriginal initiatives should be used to keep remote communities open.

Mr Wyatt said Nationals Leader Terry Redman had flip-flopped on his position to use Royalties for Region funding, originally supporting the idea but now backing Premier Colin Barnett's view that some communities should close.

The Liberal-National government has put this issue into the 'too hard basket'," Mr Wyatt said.

I agree with Mr Redman's comment that any funding should be tied to reform. But to simply walk away from these communities when there is funding available is unforgivable.

"Either way, once again the losers in this situation will be WA's remote Aboriginal communities.