Indigenous leaders in the far western New South Wales town of Wilcannia have issued urgent pleas for government support as a growing Covid outbreak overwhelms the community. On Saturday, 12 new cases were reported, and locals warn that overcrowded housing and a lack of basic supplies are putting vulnerable residents at unacceptable risk.
Monica Kerwin, a Barkandji woman, posted an emotional video on Facebook describing the dire situation. 'These people are going through hell,' she said. 'Families are living on top of families, with no place to isolate. They are being told to go home and lock themselves in, but there is nothing in place to support them.'
Volunteers, the local council, and community groups organised care packages of food and essential items to be delivered on Saturday. However, anger has been directed at NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard, who compared the Wilcannia outbreak—linked to a funeral on 13 August—to a large party in Sydney's Maroubra. Hazzard blamed 'deliberate non-compliance,' but locals note the funeral occurred before lockdown restrictions were in place.
The Western NSW Local Health District confirmed that the 'vast majority' of cases in the region are among Aboriginal people, with 40% in unvaccinated children aged 10 to 19. Only about a third of Wilcannia's population has received a first vaccine dose, and just 16% are fully vaccinated.
Human Rights Watch has called on federal and state governments to prioritise vaccine rollout for Indigenous populations. Researcher Sophie McNeill said, 'The federal government and NSW authorities left First Nations people dangerously exposed to Covid-19 with limited access to vaccines. These failings must not be repeated.'
