Newsletter date: 19 December 2012
Contents:
* SNAICC News: Government cuts a major blow to the territory’s vulnerable children and families
* Jon Altman and Susie Russell, Evidence Base Journal:
Too much 'Dreaming': Evaluations of the Northern Territory National Emergency Response Intervention 2007-2012
* Background to 'Stronger Futures' new NT Intervention laws
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* 2012 National Congress meeting in Alice Springs: Speeches, Videos and Photos
* Background to National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples
* Claire Mallinson, Amnesty: Talking human rights with the Prime Minister of Australia
* Elizabeth Watt, ABC The Drum Opinion: Is it racist to ban alcohol from some Aboriginal communities?
* Other articles
* SNAICC NEWS: GOVERNMENT CUTS A MAJOR BLOW TO THE TERRITORY'S VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
- Media Release
Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care:
SNAICC News: SNAICC Media Release - Government cuts a major blow to the territory’s vulnerable children and families
http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/fx-view-article.cfm?loadref=32&id=952
17 Dec 12: "The NT Government’s decision to halve the budget of the peak body SAF,T (Strong Aboriginal Families, Together) - set up only a year ago - is a backward step and a major blow for the territory’s vulnerable Aboriginal children and families.
Statement by SNAICC chairperson Sharron Williams
The cuts to SAF,T are part of the Government’s decision to reduce funding in the community sector by nearly $5m, including the NT Council of Social Service and NAPCAN NT. SNAICC shares the deep concerns of the Australian Council of Social Service that these measures will severely impact on the lives of the most vulnerable territorians.
SAF,T represents something the Northern Territory has never had before: an Aboriginal voice to advocate on behalf of our children, families and communities.
In slashing SAF,T’s budget, the NT Government has weakened that voice, at the same time weakening an important link between Aboriginal communities and government and greatly reducing the agency’s capacity to deliver much-needed and culturally-appropriate family support services. ... "
- Related News
Koori Mail: SNAICC: Cut 'a backward step'
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
17 Dec 12: "THE Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) says an NT Government decision to halve the budget of the peak body SAF,T (Strong Aboriginal Families, Together) is 'a backward step' and 'a major blow' that will stall progress in child protection reforms. SAF,T was established just a year ago and SNAICC chairperson Sharron Williams says the cut will affect the agency's capacity to deliver much-needed and culturally-appropriate family support services. She says Indigenous Territorians 'who were instrumental in the CLP gaining office' deserved better."
- About SNAICC
Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care:
SNAICC Background
http://www.snaicc.org.au/about/dsp-default.cfm?loadref=1
"The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) is the national non government peak body in Australia representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. ... SNAICC has a membership base of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-based child care agencies, Multi-functional Aboriginal Children's Services, creches, long day care child care services, pre schools, early childhood education services, early childhood support organisations, family support services, foster care agencies, link up and family reunification services, family group homes, community groups and voluntary associations, and services for young people at risk. ... "
See:
WGAR News: APO NT: Mini-budget cuts to Aboriginal services will increase harm and cost more -especially in the Bush (18 Dec 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/12/18/wgar-news-brisbane-aboriginal-soverei...
WGAR News: Darwin Aboriginal Rights Coalition has condemned the CLP’s mini-budget cuts to vital Aboriginal services: Media Release (18 Dec 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/12/18/wgar-news-brisbane-aboriginal-soverei...
* JON ALTMAN AND SUSIE RUSSELL, EVIDENCE BASE JOURNAL:
TOO MUCH 'DREAMING': EVALUATIONS OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY NATIONAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE INTERVENTION 2007-2012
- Article
Too much ‘Dreaming’: Evaluations of the Northern Territory National Emergency Response Intervention 2007–2012
Jon Altman and Susie Russell
Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
The Australian National University
http://journal.anzsog.edu.au/userfiles/files/2012Issue3Final.pdf
- Abstract
Abstract:
Too much 'Dreaming': Evaluations of the Northern Territory National Emergency Response Intervention 2007-2012
Jon Altman and Susie Russell
Evidence Base 2012, Issue 3
http://journal.anzsog.edu.au/abstract3
- Journal
Evidence Base Journal: the Australia and New Zealand School of Government
EVIDENCE BASE: A journal of evidence reviews in key policy areas
http://journal.anzsog.edu.au/
"Welcome to ANZSOG’s newest journal - Evidence Base. The journal publishes reviews of the evidence informing decision-making in specific policy areas. The focus of these reviews is to determine 'what works?', based on the evidence. Designed for public sector decision-makers, this journal is a 'broker' between the public sector, academics and other policy specialists."
* 2012 NATIONAL CONGRESS MEETING IN ALICE SPRINGS: SPEECHES, VIDEOS AND PHOTOS
- Compilation
National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples:
National Congress NC 12 - Alice Springs Convention Centre
http://nationalcongress.com.au/nc12/
"The 2012 National Congress meeting, the annual meeting of our Delegates and the National Board was held at the Alice Springs Convention Centre 24-28 September 2012."
* BACKGROUND TO NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AUSTRALIA'S FIRST PEOPLES:
Last updated: 5 May 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/05/background-to-the-national-congress-o...
* CLAIRE MALLINSON, AMNESTY: TALKING HUMAN RIGHTS WITH THE PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA
- Advocacy
Amnesty International Australia: Talking human rights with the Prime Minister of Australia
http://www.amnesty.org.au/features/comments/30699/
11 Dec 12: "I marked the day [World Human Rights Day] by having a one to one with Prime Minister Julia Gillard to discuss Australia's human rights and responsibilities record both at home and abroad. ... We finished by discussing why it’s important for the Australian Government to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This includes prioritising the shocking overrepresentation of Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander People in Australia's prisons. Genuine consultation needs to occur with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples communities to address the systemic disadvantage they face." By Claire Mallinson, National Director for Amnesty International Australia
* ELIZABETH WATT, ABC THE DRUM OPINION: IS IT RACIST TO BAN ALCOHOL FROM SOME ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES?
- Analysis / Opinion
ABC The Drum Opinion: Is it racist to ban alcohol from some Aboriginal communities?
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4433434.html
18 Dec 12: "A case in the High Court will test whether banning alcohol from some Aboriginal communities is racist. Elizabeth Watt argues it's the 'best bad idea we have'. The great grog battle of Queensland is having its day in High Court. After being charged with possessing a bottle of bourbon and rum in a proscribed area in 2010, Palm Island woman Joan Maloney brought her case before the full bench: claiming that the Alcohol Management Plans (AMPs), which have been in place in 19 remote Aboriginal communities across the state, violated the 1975 Racial Discrimination Act." By Elizabeth Watt, a PhD Candidate in Development Studies, Australian National University
See:
WGAR News: "High Court gives Congress chance to argue equality before the law" (15 Dec 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/12/15/wgar-news-high-court-gives-congress-c...
[Congress: National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples]
WGAR News: Human Rights Law Centre: High Court to hear landmark case on race discrimination and "special measures" (15 Dec 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/12/15/wgar-news-high-court-gives-congress-c...
* OTHER ARTICLES:
- News
Australian: The Lowitja Institute is at risk of closure
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/indigenous/the-lowitja-...
18 Dec 12: "THE Lowitja Institute, Australia's only national research body committed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, is at risk of closure. Despite the Gillard government's commitment to close the gap in health by 2030, it has not yet committed to fund the institute beyond June 30, 2014, putting at risk its research program."
Koori Mail: Inquiry into Native Title Bill
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
17 Dec 12: "THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs will inquire into the Federal Government's Native Title Amendment Bill 2012. Labor MP Shayne Neumann, who chairs the committee, said the Government was currently working on improving the native title process and the present Bill had been through an extensive consultation process. The committee would consider if a progressive and fair balance has been struck, Mr Neumann said. Submissions close on 31 January. The committee's first hearing is scheduled for Redfern, Sydney, on 8 February."
Koori Mail: Islands handed over to Meriam people
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
17 Dec 12: "THE traditional island home of the late Eddie 'Koiki' Mabo has been returned to his people. On Friday, the Queensland Government handed ownership of the islands of Mer, Dauar and Waier -known as the Murray Islands - to the Meriam people. It was the first Queensland Indigenous land transfer to include a township. While the Meriam people have held native title to the islands since 1992, a Deed of Grant handed to the native title holders provides them with inalienable freehold ownership."
- Videos
SBS World News: Mer Island celebrates freehold title win
Source: Nancia Guivarra, NITV
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1721313/Mer-Island-celebrates-freehol...
17 Dec 12: "Celebrations are continuing in the Torres Strait, for many Meriam people, after the Queensland government handed them freehold title to the rest of Mer Island on Friday. It came twenty years after the historic Mabo High Court decision set the ball rolling for native title claims. ... Three days earlier a group of Meriam Elders tried to stop it going ahead by seeking an injunction in the Supreme Court of Queensland. Michael Passi is a member of the group which submitted the application. They say not enough consultation occurred with all Meriam people."
SBS World News: Cultural tourism to replace Uluru climbing
Source: Ryan Liddle, NITV
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1721281/Cultural-tourism-to-replace-U...
17 Dec 12: "With climbing being gradually phased out at Uluru, Parks Australia and Tourism Australia are working with locals to establish new cultural tourism ventures, NITV News reports. The Uluru climb has been a contentious topic, but in 2010 the board of management decided access would be phased out when climbing rates fell below the 20 per cent mark. The number of climbers has fallen since tourism surveys began in the mid-90s. "Most people say it’s out of respect for our traditional owners that they choose not to climb," said Park Resources Manager, Kerry Benison."
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