The Sunday Interview: Kimberley MP Divina D’Anna ‘happens to be Aboriginal. I don’t want that to define me’

In this new regular series, The Sunday Times’ political editor Joe Spagnolo sits down with State MPs and political figures to get the lay of the land ahead of the March State election. This week, we meet Kimberley MP Divina D’Anna

You were born in Broome – the eldest of 9 children. I’ve heard you say before, there were “many hard times, struggles and challenges” during your childhood. Can you tell me a little bit about that.

My mother Deborah had me when she was 16. Dad, Albert, was 18. They were a young couple who had me early. I had a stint growing up with my grandparents for a while. Indigenous families are not really nuclear families. I had a strong matriarchal influence, from my grandmothers and other mothers. Life wasn’t hard, but it wasn’t always easy. I wasn’t born into generational wealth. We had the parish hamper drops given to us. I went through a phase in my early adult life where I was off two-minute noodles because I felt I had eaten a lot of them growing up. But we made our own happiness, with what we had. Going out, country, bush, small things like hunting, fishing or camping went a really long way.

Being the eldest sibling, did it mean you had to grow up quickly?

Some of the responsibilities of looking after my brothers and sisters fell to me. I had this obligation and responsibility. I felt I had to grow up quickly because I had to look after my younger siblings. I made sure they were OK. I grew up knowing responsibility earlier and consequence as well.

What schooling did you do?

I went to school in Broome. I was never the shiny star in class, but I made do. I then went to Sacred Heart in Sorrento. That was a bit of a culture shock — big school, not many Indigenous people. There were cohorts of people I was not used to. My good friend was a Malaysian student. We were like the reject squad. I was barely surviving, just trying to get through to graduating. The only mainstream subjects I kept were English and politics. It was tough (being in Perth). It was an eye-opening experience. After graduating I went back to Broome.

You now have your own family: five children – Hazali, Angelica, Salvatore, Kianee and a stepson, Angelo. And an Italian husband?

My husband is Salvatore. His family is Sicilian. I met him in Broome in 1995. We got married 2007.

We didn’t hit it off straight away. He is a very passionate, argumentative person, as Italians are. And so am I when I get started off. Salvatore is my acquired taste. He is my yin to my yang, and we get along fine. In January, it will be 30 years we have been together now.

Who is the boss? You or Salvatore?

I am the boss. Let’s be clear. I allow him to think he is the boss.

You were elected to the WA Parliament in 2021 as just the fourth Aboriginal member for Kimberley. What has surprised you most about being a member of Parliament. Is it what you expected?

I am a Kimberley woman that happens to be Aboriginal. I don’t want that to define me. We have black, white, Chinese (people in the Kimberley). I speak for more than just Indigenous people.

There is only one Aboriginal person in the Legislative Assembly, and one Indigenous woman in the Council. It’s good to really have that connection. There was also a huge collective of regional women that got in (to Parliament). I won’t lie, it is hard. It brought me back to when I went to Perth (school) in Sorrento. You stick out like a sore thumb (being an Indigenous member of Parliament).

What work did you do before becoming a politician?

I was involved in implementing a mine agreement between a mining company and a group of traditional owners. Previous to that I took a brain break for five months at St Mary’s school as an Aboriginal teachers aide. Before that, I did 10 years in native title.

You have now worked for two Labor premiers — Mark McGowan and Roger Cook. How do they differ?

Mark was really good getting through COVID. Premier Cook has equal strengths in different ways.

Your favourite?

I can’t have favourites, but I do have more chats with Roger. I feel (he is) more personable.

In your inaugural speech to Parliament, you made some powerful statements. You spoke about the challenges of the Kimberley electorate. You spoke of the injustice of the number of Aboriginal people who have died in custody. You called it a “national shame” and a “shame for our State”. Two Aboriginal children have died in custody in WA jails in the past 10 months under your Government’s watch. How do you reconcile that?

The deaths of those two young boys is absolutely tragic. It goes beyond those two boys’ deaths. The rates of suicide in the Kimberley alone are quite high, as well as other remote areas.

I am more focusing on empowering and strengthening our young ones and families to make sure that when they are reaching times of crisis — before they go into the justice system — that when they face those hard times, those families and young and older people who are not coping well, are equipped with the tools to actually cope with issues that arise.

We need to empower our mob to do things for ourselves. I am a big supporter of diversionary programs. I am a big supporter of the safe night space in Fitzroy and the other night space in Broome — these kids having a safe space to go.

Is the WA Labor Government doing enough, given two kids have taken their lives?

The straight answer is we have got to do more. What that actually looks like is still being formulated.

Do you want Unit 18 closed by Christmas?

I’d love to see it closed eventually.

Do you agree with your Government’s liquor sale restrictions in Broome and Derby?

I think anything to help curb some of the alcohol-related harm that’s happening in our communities is always a benefit.

It’s not the be-all and end-all. If it means that 10 women are not getting bashed on a Sunday or Monday, or 20 kids are going to school, that helps.

There are worrying reports that children as young as eight are being handed packs of free needles provided for drug users. It’s reported children are being provided these “fit packs” through the Health Department’s free needle program.

What are you doing to stop this practice?

I understand why the community are concerned and I want to work on a solution to get needles off our streets as quickly as possible.

I’ve raised this issue with the minister for health and I know that government agencies have had an urgent meeting to discuss what can be done to address this issue in the short term, while we work on a more permanent solution for our community.

How disappointed were you that the referendum on Aboriginal recognition was defeated?

I remember crying with Pat Dodson that night (of the referendum). It was such a journey — we didn’t get the result we wanted. The referendum was not just a campaign for me. I was lucky enough to be part of the Uluru statement. While the result wasn’t the result we wanted, and a lot of mourning for some peoples, it was also a moment to get back up and keep going. And I think that’s what prides me about our First Nations people — the resilience to keep pushing through and getting on with the job.

Do you want to be a minister?

If Premier Cook, who may be my favourite Premier, gives me that honour, of course.