WGAR News: Reactions to government discussion paper: 'Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory'

Newsletter date: 24 June 2011

Contents:
* Tent Embassy Leaders demand an end to the NT Intervention
* Reactions to government discussion paper: 'Stronger Futures in the NT'
* Fight for alternative to NT Intervention comes to Sydney on Sat 25 June 2011
* Aboriginal Rights - Upcoming events around Australia - From 24 June 2011
* Doing Time - report into high rates of Aboriginal imprisonment
* Other Northern Territory (NT) Intervention articles
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Other Aboriginal articles

TENT EMBASSY LEADERS DEMAND AN END TO THE NT INTERVENTION:

- Media Release

Tent Embassy Leaders demand an end to the NT Intervention
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/06/22/tent-embassy-leaders-demand-an-end-to...
22 Jun 11: "Aboriginal leaders, academics and participants at a symposium in Canberra have passed a resolution in support of a rally in Darwin today calling for an end to the Intervention.
The resolution included support for the Statement Rebuilding from the ‘Ground Up’ - An Alternative to the NT Intervention which is being launched at the Darwin Rally.
The Symposium expressed strong solidarity with Aboriginal people struggling against the Intervention which is an attack on the gains of the rights movement of which the Aboriginal Tent Embassy is a crucial part.
The statement calls for the full repeal of Intervention laws and policies. It lists 11 demands that are in the spirit of community empowerment."

- Related News Release

UTS News Room: New media collaboration supports people living under the NT Intervention
http://newsroom.uts.edu.au/news/2011/06/new-media-collaboration-supports...
23 Jun 11: "A new media project that empowers the voices of Aboriginal people living under the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention has been launched by UTS's Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning.
With links to more than 25 research papers and submissions and 20 videos, the project supports the statement Rebuilding from the Ground Up: An Alternative to the NT Intervention launched this week in Darwin.
The statement calls for full repeal of all Intervention laws and puts forward an eleven point alternative program, based on principles of community empowerment, capacity building and sustainable resourcing for all communities. ...
The new media project can be accessed at: http://www.jumbunna.uts.edu.au/researchareas/alternatives.html

For a full copy of the Rebuilding from the Ground Up statement (including further references) and a list of current endorsements see http://stoptheintervention.org/alternatives-to-the-intervention

REACTIONS TO GOVERNMENT DISCUSSION PAPER: 'STRONGER FUTURES IN THE NT':

- Media Releases

Government discussion paper will keep NT Intervention architecture in place
http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/press-releases/government-discussio...
22 Jun 11: "The Stop the Intervention Collective (STICS) in Sydney says a government discussion paper 'Stronger Futures' will leave the architecture of the failed NT Intervention in place.
Paddy Gibson, an organiser with STICS says the government's report fails to acknowledge clear evidence of deteriorating social conditions under the NT Intervention.
Mr Gibson says the government should adopt an 11 point program launched in Darwin yesterday by Aboriginal leaders from across the NT, "Rebuilding from the Ground Up: An Alternative to the NT Intervention". The program calls for full repeal of NT Intervention laws and community controlled development.
The Stop the Intervention Collective is organising a demonstration in Sydney this Saturday June 25 to demand support for Rebuilding from the Ground Up and protest four years of Intervention. ...
Mr Gibson concluded, "the government must stop empty rhetoric about "consultation" and hand control over community land and development to Aboriginal people"."

Rachel Siewert: Discriminatory intervention should be ‘thrown out’ - Greens
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/discriminat...
22 Jun 11: "Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues says she is saddened by the fact it has taken the Government so long to acknowledge the failings of the Northern Territory Intervention.
"There are still massive problems in the Northern Territory," Senator Siewert said today. "A number of key indicators point to the same thing - this discriminatory intervention is a failed approach and it should be thrown out."
"The time is right for the Government to seriously reassess all aspects of the NT Intervention," said Senator Siewert.
"I am encouraged by moves towards a consultative and collaborative approach, but with only a 6 week consultation period I’m not convinced that the Government understands what this entails." ...
"The Greens welcome the release of the discussion paper but remain acutely aware of the fact that meaningful actions must follow the consultation," Senator Siewert concluded."

- Audio

The Wire: Stronger futures, or more of the same for the NT?
http://www.thewire.org.au/daydetail.aspx?SearchDay=2011-06-22
22 Jun 11: "Funding for the Northern Intervention comes to and end in August 2012, and the federal government are looking to manage the NT's transition to self management in Indigenous communites. Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin today released a new discussion paper - "Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory", outlining their post-intervention plans. But is is just the same old rhetoric? Story features Paddy Gibson from the Stop the Intervention Collective."

- News

Australian: No retreat by Julia Gillard on Northern Territory intervention
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/no-retreat-by-julia-gil...
23 Jun 11: "Paddy Gibson, a Sydney-based activist with the Stop the NT Intervention organisation, criticised the discussion paper as glossing over the "failure" of the intervention. "Despite the rhetoric about consultation, the government is refusing to grant any actual control (to indigenous Australians) over the areas where control has been stripped from them under the intervention," Mr Gibson said. ... "There has been a 30 per cent increase in indigenous incarceration under the intervention," he said. "All the statistics point to chronic social breakdown.""

SMH: Aboriginal voices to be heard on intervention
http://www.smh.com.au/national/aboriginal-voices-to-be-heard-on-interven...
23 Jun 11: "The announcement was met with scepticism from the opposition and advocates for action in indigenous communities as just more hot air. ... A frustrated co-author of the Little Children are Sacred report, the Northern Territory barrister Rex Wild, criticised yesterday's release of the discussion paper, entitled Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory. Mr Wild said alcohol, truancy and unemployment had been the key problems for decades and action, and another consultation was not needed."

National Indigenous Radio Service: Labor release Stronger Futures discussion paper
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5884...
23 Jun 11: "The Northern Territory Opposition says a discussion paper into the Intervention into Indigenous communities is a clear admission that Federal Labor has failed to deliver."

9 News: Intervention repeating, says report author
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8264279/intervention-repeating-says-...
22 Jun 11: "A co-author of the report that sparked the Northern Territory intervention says he is frustrated by the release of yet another federal government report into Aboriginal disadvantage. ... "The consultations they're talking about having is exactly what we did in 2007. The results of those consultations led to the 96 recommendations we made," he [Rex Wild] said, adding that the government should go back and act on the recommendations of the original report. He said only one recommendation, ... had ever been acted on."

SMH: MP slams NT Intervention discussion paper
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/mp-slams-nt-intervention-d...
22 Jun 11: "NT Barrister Rex Wild, who co-authored the report into child sex abuse that sparked the Howard government's 2007 intervention into more than 70 remote Aboriginal communities, identified education and alcohol as matters of absolute urgency. "So in 2011 they've identified those things yet again - bloody rocket science isn't it," he told AAP. "They're not even acknowledging the fact that everybody who has commented and written and studied and investigated the whole plight of Aboriginal people over the last 30 years, has said the same thing."

news.com.au: Intervention discussion paper 'sickening'
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/intervention-discussion-paper-sicke...
22 Jun 11: "Northern Territory independent MP Alison Anderson today told AAP the report showed the commonwealth's only plan to tackle Aboriginal disadvantage was to continue spending money on a program that hasn't worked for the past four years." ... "The only winners in all this will be the consultants," Ms Anderson said. "Everything else in that report is exactly the same. They're just coming up with the same things over and over again. They say they are going to consult people, so then why have they had general business managers (GBM) living in 74 communities for four years."

Koori Mail: Anderson slams NT Intervention discussion paper
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
22 Jun 11: NORTHERN Territory independent MP Alison Anderson has labelled the Federal Government's latest intervention discussion paper as 'sickening', saying it showed the Commonwealth's only plan to tackle Aboriginal disadvantage was to continue spending money on a program that hadn't worked for the past four years."

Koori Mail: Labor accused of neglecting NT Aboriginal people
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
22 Jun 11: "THE Federal Government's announcement that it will begin consultations into the future of the Northern Territory intervention exposes four years of neglect, according to Senator Nigel Scullion. The coalition's indigenous affairs spokesman said that after vilifying the Howard government for four years for not consulting prior to introducing the NT Emergency Response (NTER), Labor showed it had failed to talk with Aboriginal people since coming into office."

ABC: Gillard looks at options to replace intervention
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/22/3250670.htm
22 Jun 11: Prime Minister Julia Gillard is promising Indigenous Australians will have a say in how best to tackle disadvantage when the federal intervention expires. ... But the Opposition says the discussion paper is practically a copy of the one released two years ago. Opposition Indigenous health spokesman Andrew Laming says the push for consultation is not new."

Koori Mail: NT Govt to help with consultations
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
22 Jun 11: THE Northern Territory's Indigenous development minister has vowed to work with the commonwealth to consult Aboriginal people about the next step of the intervention. Malarndirri McCarthy said the release of a discussion paper about the NT Emergency Response (NTER), titled Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory, in Canberra today showed the Federal Labor government had listened to Aboriginal Territorians and the NT government."

- Related Media Release

Julia Gillard, Warren Snowden and Trish Crossin
Delivering a better future for Indigenous people in the Northern Territory
http://www.jennymacklin.fahcsia.gov.au/mediareleases/2011/Pages/delivery...
22 Jun 11: "Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin today announced the Government's next steps to improve the future of Indigenous Australians living in the Northern Territory. ...
The Gillard Government will now start consultation on future plans to tackle this unacceptable level of disadvantage with a particular focus on improved education for children, expanded employment opportunities and tackling alcohol abuse. ...
The Government's new discussion paper, Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory, will form the basis of this conversation over the coming months as the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER) winds up in mid next year."

- Related Audio

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News 23-06-2011
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-23-06-2011
23 Jun 11: "The Prime Minister Julia Gillard is promising Aboriginal people will have a say in how to tackle disadvantage when the Intervention Expires next year."

- Related News

Age: Labor vows fresh start over indigenous gap
http://www.theage.com.au/national/labor-vows-fresh-start-over-indigenous...
23 Jun 11: "THE Gillard government has promised a fresh start in tackling indigenous disadvantage, after a discussion paper described the situation in the Northern Territory as still critical, with alcohol continuing to fuel violence and abuse and devastating the lives of ''far too many''. While the Stronger Futures discussion paper cites many areas of improvement, Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin said the way the intervention was imposed on communities had been hurtful, and made the past four years ''very difficult'' for people in the Northern Territory."

Australian: The Gillard Government has asked for ideas for the next stage of the NT intervention
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/the-gillard-government-...
22 Jun 11: "THE Gillard Government will spend the next six weeks consulting with indigenous leaders over the future of the Northern Territory's emergency intervention. The Prime Minister and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin this morning launched a discussion paper on what the next phase of the intervention will look like, focusing on key areas of school attendance, jobs and tackling alcohol abuse."

Koori Mail: Gillard plan to replace NT intervention
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
22 Jun 11: "PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has announced a plan to improve the lives of Indigenous people in the Northern Territory as a replacement for the Howard government's intervention. The laws invoking the Northern Territory emergency response - initiated in 2007 - expire in August 2012. Under the new regime, the government has identified eight priority areas including improving school attendance, economic development, tackling alcohol abuse, housing and health, and has set aside six weeks for consultations."

- The Discussion Paper

indigenous.gov.au: Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory
http://www.indigenous.gov.au/index.php/stronger-futures-in-the-northern-...

FIGHT FOR ALTERNATIVE TO NT INTERVENTION COMES TO SYDNEY ON SAT 25 JUNE 2011:

- Media Release

Fight for alternative to NT Intervention comes to Sydney
http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/press-releases/fight-for-alternativ...
23 Jun 11: "On Saturday June 25, the Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney (STICS) will hold a demonstration demanding an end to the NT Intervention and support for a new alternative program 'Rebuilding from the Ground Up'.
The program was launched at a strong demonstration in Darwin on Tuesday by Aboriginal leaders from across the Northern Territory.
The 11 point plan includes the re-establishment of Aboriginal community councils, abandonment of the 'hub towns' model and investment in all communities, an end to compulsory acquisition of Aboriginal land, the rescinding of all leases signed under the NTER and recognition of the importance of Aboriginal customary law. ...
Paddy Gibson from STICS said that the Intervention has been a disaster for Aboriginal communities and that a new approach based on Aboriginal self-determination was urgently needed. ...
The Sydney launch of the 'Rebuilding from the Ground Up' Statement will take place at a demonstration:
1pm Saturday 25th June, Town Hall Square marching to Belmore Park."

ABORIGINAL RIGHTS - UPCOMING EVENTS AROUND AUSTRALIA - FROM 24 JUNE 2011:

Click on the links for details of the events ...

27 May to Sun 9 October 2011: Kalgoorlie, WA
Exhibition: From Little Things Big Things Grow
- Fighting for Indigenous Rights 1920-1970
Event description: http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/from_little_things_big_things_grow/
Event location: http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/from_little_things_big_things_grow/tra...

Sat 25 June 2011: Sydney, NSW
Rally to stop the NT Intervention - Four years of racist shame
Including Sydney launch of alternative document "Rebuilding from the ground up"
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/sydney-rally-to-stop-the-northern-territory-inte...
Event details: [scroll down page] http://stoptheintervention.org/
Endorsing alternatives document: http://stoptheintervention.org/alternatives-to-the-intervention
Alternatives document plus extra references: http://stoptheintervention.org/alternatives-to-the-intervention/rebuildi...
Alternatives document plus overviews, references and videos: http://www.jumbunna.uts.edu.au/researchareas/alternatives.html
Media Release: http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/press-releases/gillard-cannot-face-...
Media Release: http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/press-releases/fight-for-alternativ...
Poster: http://stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/Past%20Events/2...

Sun 26 June 2011: Bangalow, NSW
'Our Generation' Community Screening
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/
Film details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/

Wed 29 June 2011: Sydney, NSW
'Our Generation' Community Screening
Part of the Guringai Festival
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/
Film details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/

Wed 29 June 2011: Newtown, Sydney, NSW
Exhibition Opening: Stars, Sky, Breeze, Trees
Gallery: At The Vanishing Point
Photo artist: Jagath Dheerasekara
Event details: http://www.atthevanishingpoint.com.au/index.php?p=1_2_Future-Exhibitions
Artist statement and event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/47966
Photos: http://jd.photoshelter.com/

Thu 30 June to Sun 17 July 2011: Newtown, Sydney, NSW
Exhibition: Stars, Sky, Breeze, Trees
Gallery: At The Vanishing Point
Gallery Hours: Thursday - Sunday 10am-6pm
Photo artist: Jagath Dheerasekara
Event details: http://www.atthevanishingpoint.com.au/index.php?p=1_2_Future-Exhibitions
Artist statement and event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/47966
Photos: http://jd.photoshelter.com/

Sun 24 July 2011: Avalon, NSW
'Our Generation' Community Screening
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/
Film details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/

Tue 9 August 2011: Adelaide, SA
'Our Generation' Community Screening
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/
Film details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/

Wed 10 August 2011: Manly, Sydney, NSW
'Our Generation' Community Screening
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/
Film details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/

Fri 26 - Sun 28 August 2011: Kalkarindji/Daguragu, NT
Gurindji Walkoff from Wave Hill
- 45th Anniversary Commemoration
Event location and details: http://www.gurindjifreedomday.com/

Fri 4 November 2011 to February 2012: Townsville, Qld
Exhibition: From Little Things Big Things Grow
- Fighting for Indigenous Rights 1920-1970
Event description: http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/from_little_things_big_things_grow/
Event location: http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/from_little_things_big_things_grow/tra...

February 2012 to May 2012: Queensland Museum
Exhibition: From Little Things Big Things Grow
- Fighting for Indigenous Rights 1920-1970
Event description: http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/from_little_things_big_things_grow/
Event location: http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/from_little_things_big_things_grow/tra...

DOING TIME - REPORT INTO HIGH RATES OF ABORIGINAL IMPRISONMENT:

- Audio

The Wire: Doing Time- report into high rates of Aboriginal incarceration
[scroll down page] http://www.thewire.org.au/daydetail.aspx?SearchDay=2011-06-21
21 Jun 11: "One quarter of Australia's juvenile prisoners are Aboriginal, despite Indigenous people representing just 2.5 percent of Australia’s population. A senate committee on Aboriginal affairs today released a report on what is being done to keep young Aboriginal people out of prison. The "Doing Time" report made 40 recommendations designed to promote early intervention such as improving school attendance and work opportunities. The report criticised over-policing of Aboriginal people and the lack of cultural awareness of police working in Aboriginal communities. Features Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda."

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News 23-06-2011
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-23-06-2011
23 Jun 11: "The Human Rights Alliance has criticised the newly released Parliamentary Report on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and the criminal Justice System."

- Analysis / Opinion

Treaty Republic: 'Doing Time - Time for Doing' report - no great shock
http://treatyrepublic.net/content/doing-time-time-doing-report-no-great-...
Jun 11: "the 'doing time - time for doing' report, indigenous youth in the criminal justice system for the house of representatives standing committee on aboriginal and torres strait islander affairs, june 2011, finally brings our politicians, or at least those who may deign to peruse it, up to date as to the correct statistics of the australian custodial systems for atsi inmates. the statistics come as no great shock to those of us who follow such events with both interest and a growing alarm as to the complete and utter failure of australian governments ... " Ray Jackson, President, Indigenous Social Justice Association

- News

National Indigenous Radio Service: Damming youth incarceration statistics
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5888...
23 Jun 11: "Statistics showing that Indigenous youth are 28 times more likely to be incarcerated than other youth in Australia have been described as shameful and a national disgrace. Western Australia's Chief Justice Wayne Martin says he is not surprised by the statistics. "It does make depressing reading, but unfortunately we've known for some years now that the statistics are heading in exactly the wrong direction," he said."

Crikey: Deaths in custody …. hello, anyone?
http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/06/22/crikey-says-deaths-in-custody-hello-...
22 Jun 11: "Today Crikey runs the final story in the Deaths in Custody investigation by Inga Ting. The series kicked off 10 weeks ago with the revelation that 20 years after the Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody, inmates are still dying as a result of the same practices the commission sought to eliminate. ... Last night, the report Doing Time - Time For Doing: Indigenous Youth in the Criminal Justice System was tabled in the House of Representatives. Between 2000 and 2009, it reads, the incarceration rate for indigenous Australians rose by 66%."

NZ Herald: Aboriginal youth crime rate a 'national tragedy'
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10733623
22 Jun 11: "Twenty years after a royal commission scrutinised the high rate of Aboriginal deaths in custody, the over-representation of young indigenous Australians in the criminal justice system is even worse than back then - a situation branded "a national disgrace" by a parliamentary committee. Despite the commission making 300 recommendations aimed at keeping young Aboriginal people out of jail, they are now 28 times more likely to be locked up than their white counterparts, according to a report ... "

Canberra Times: Jail numbers 'national tragedy'
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/national/national/general/jail-numb...
21 Jun 11: "The prevalence of indigenous youth in Australia's criminal justice system is a national tragedy and disgrace, a new parliamentary report has concluded. ... ''This is a national tragedy and questions must be raised as to why the situation has worsened so dramatically, after the sweeping reforms recommended by the royal commission,'' it said in the report."

See:

WGAR News: A 'national crisis': Aboriginal youth imprisonment (22 Jun 11)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2011/06/22/wgar-news-4th-anniversary-of-nt-inter...

OTHER NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION ARTICLES:

- News

Canterbury-Bankstown Express: Bankstown elder Aunty Carol's anger over welfare plan
http://express.whereilive.com.au/news/story/bankstown-elder-aunty-carols...
23 Jun 11: "INDIGENOUS elder Aunty Carol Carter has hit back at the Federal Government’s plan to bring income management to Bankstown. From July 1 next year, residents deemed by Centrelink to be “financially vulnerable” will have half their welfare payments quarantined on to a BasicsCard to buy “priority items” at selected stores. But Ms Carter, a wheelchair-bound resident of Revesby and local elder, said compulsory income management would rob the people affected of their autonomy and self-respect. "It’s shocking - absolutely demeaning, this is," she said."
[Includes photo: Indigenous Elder Aunty Carol Carter is concerned about upcoming welfare changes in Bankstown.]

National Indigenous Radio Service: Protesters against intervention in Darwin
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5878...
22 Jun 11: "About 200 people opposing the Federal Government's intervention in Northern Territory Aboriginal communities have marched through the centre of Darwin. The rally yesterday marked four years since the start of the Howard Government's intervention."

National Indigenous Radio Service: Living on country is healthier
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5877...
22 Jun 11: "A new study has found hundreds of thousands of dollars can be saved in health care costs if remote Aboriginal residents are involved in land management. ... One researcher, David Campbell, says the findings challenge a policy of encouraging remote residents to move to more populated areas."

- Audio

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
Bess Price speaks on Strong Voices
http://caama.com.au/bess-price-speaks-on-strong-voices
23 Jun 11: "Bess Price speaks to Paul Wiles on Strong Voices about how the intervention if effecting communities and what she thought on the Prime Ministers visit to Central Australia. She also talks about some of the positive things that have come out of the Intervention and how some of those has helped communities and that more Aboriginal people need to speak out about the Intervention."

See:
Town camp leader outraged by Bess Price claims on Q and A
http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/media/

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News 22-06-2011
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-22-06-2011
22 Jun 11: "The fourth anniversary of the Northern Territory emergency response is being marked with a series of anti-intervention activities across the country."

BACKGROUND TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION:

Creative Spirits: Northern Territory Emergence Response (NTER) - "The Intervention": http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/politics/northern-terr...

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Northern Territory National Emergency Response: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Territory_intervention

STICS (Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney): http://stoptheintervention.org/

The Greens: Rachel Siewert: Northern Territory Intervention: http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/category/issues/indigenous-rights...

CAAMA (Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association) - NT Intervention: http://caama.com.au/?s=NT+Intervention

'concerned Australians': Without Justice there can be no Reconciliation: http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/

IRAG (Intervention Rollback Action Group): Mparntwe - Alice Springs: http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/

Treaty Republic - NT Intervention: http://treatyrepublic.net/search/node/NT%20Intervention

ANTaR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation) - NT intervention: http://www.antar.org.au/issues_and_campaigns/nt_intervention

Crikey - NT Intervention: http://www.crikey.com.au/topic/nt-intervention/

Jobs with Justice: http://jobswithjustice.wordpress.com/

MAIC (Melbourne Anti-Intervention Collective): http://maicollective.blogspot.com/

New Matilda - northern territory intervention: http://newmatilda.com/tag/northern-territory-intervention

Amnesty International Australia: Looking back at the Northern Territory Intervention: http://www.amnesty.org.au/indigenous-rights/comments/24460/

Students For Indigenous Rights - UQ: The Northern Territory Intervention: http://uqsir.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/stir-uq-intervention-intro-fact...

Defending Indigenous Rights: http://defendingindigenousrights.wordpress.com/

Intervention walk-off's Blog: http://interventionwalkoff.wordpress.com/

Australian Human Rights Commission: Northern Territory ‘Emergency Response' intervention: http://www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice/intervention/index.html

FAIRA; Human Rights Law Resource Centre; NACLC: Australia's compliance with CERD - Fact Sheet 2: Northern Territory Intervention: http://www.hrlrc.org.au/files/Fact-Sheet-2-NT-Intervention.pdf

Green Left: Northern Territory intervention: myths and facts: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/39732

WGAR (Working Group for Aboriginal Rights): http://wgar.wordpress.com/

OTHER ABORIGINAL ARTICLES:

- Audio

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
Co-chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First People’s Jody Broun on CAAMA
http://caama.com.au/co-chair-of-the-national-congress-of-australias-firs...
23 Jun 11: "Co-chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First People’s Jody Broun speaks to Nerida Currey about the meeting held in Alice Spring and Tennant Creek for Aboriginal people being recognized in the constitution."

Indigenous radio station 98.9FM Brisbane
Let's Talk - Indigenous presented talkback:
http://989fm.com.au/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29
22 Jun 11: "Judulu Neil: Tiga Bayles talks with Yarrabah Activist, Judulu Neil about Native Title Issues and Sovereignty Issues."
Listen to this interview on-line:
http://www.989fm.com.au/podcasting/audio/98fm-podcast-2011-06-22-70449.mp3

- Media Release

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation:
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services are Closing the Gap in Access to Medicines
http://www.naccho.org.au/Files/Documents/QUMAX-%20NACCHOMR21-6-11.pdf
21 Jun 11: "Many more Aboriginal people are now getting the prescription medicines they need, along with tailored advice and assistance, under the QUMAX* program operating in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) according to an independent report. "The report, available on the Department of Health and Ageing website**, shows the QUMAX program has been an unprecedented success in increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's access to medicines," says Justin Mohamed Chair of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)."

- News

Indymedia Australia: Protest at Ferguson's office opposing Muckaty nuclear waste dump
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/06/22/protest-at-fergusons-office-opposing-...
22 Jun 11: "On Tuesday about 50 people gathered outside Federal Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson's electoral office in Preston to say Don't Let Martin Ferguson Dump on Muckaty in regard to inflicting a nuclear waste dump on an indigenous community who do not want it. For 18 months anti-nuclear organisations & activists have succesfully kept Minister Ferguson National Radioactive Waste Management Bill from becoming an act."

- - -

Subscription to 'WGAR News' is free.

'WGAR News' monitors the media, including alternative media, focusing on the Australian Federal government intervention into Northern Territory (NT) Aboriginal communities along with other Aboriginal rights issues.

'WGAR News' publishes information and opinions from a wide range of sources. These opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of WGAR.

The e-newsletters include media releases, opinion pieces and news items. Subscribers can expect to receive about 2 e-newsletters each week.

To subscribe, email wgar.news@gmail.com and include the words "subscribe WGAR News" in the message header.

To unsubscribe, email wgar.news@gmail.com and include the words "unsubscribe WGAR News" in the message header.

- - -

You can also subscribe to our second list 'Contact WGAR' which focuses on activities and events and provides a point of contact.

To subscribe, email contactwgar@gmail.com and include the words "subscribe WGAR Contact" in the message header.

- - -

WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)
WGAR Website: http://wgar.wordpress.com/

Comments

This current government is negligent when it comes to the way Aboriginal people are treated. Mal Brough was honest and sincere only trying to end the cycles of violence for women and children that alcohol and other drugs have created in these communities and there were several key recommendations that have not been thoroughly acted upon and followed through on this intervention. Abusing kids is a crime in any culture and just because the kids that are abused happen to be Aboriginal doesnt mean that they are worth less than a white child and therefore the perpetrators of their crimes can go off unpunished.There is the law of the land and tribal laws they should work together to solve crimes and encourage justice for communities and the governing bodies. We expect that a new government would continue to improve on the welfare of all aboriginal people, however they are hypocrites criticising Mal Brough and then stealing his policies.
Sorry from Kevin Rudd isnt enough when you are destroying the next generation and the future of these people. The Aboriginal people deserve better living conditions and standards then the third world standards they recieve, we should be looking at our own backyard rather than spending excessive amounts of money on refugees, spend the money on our own populace and give these people a chance at a better life and a future based on land ownership and self determination. If they live onland that has been theirs for generations and it happens to be sacred land then so beit, that means no uranium mining for radiation on the planet and a beautiful country for tourists to visit and the economy prospers and everyone is happy.
The Aboriginal people are one of the reasons of what makes this country so great and they know this land so well, it is a shame shame shame and national disgrace that people care more about animal rights like cows getting killed in indonesia then the rights of these people and their standards of health and welfare, this is a shame shame shame on all.