Newsletter date: 1 March 2011
Contents:
* Legislation enabling a nuclear waste dump to be built at Muckaty passes House of Representatives
* Background to Muckaty Station nuclear waste dump
* Aboriginal 'Freedom Ride' re-enacted
* Activist Jude Kelly from the Aboriginal Tent embassy gives up citizenship
* Importance of bilingual education in remote Indigenous schools
* Northern Territory (NT) Intervention articles
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
LEGISLATION ENABLING A NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP TO BE BUILT AT MUCKATY PASSES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
- Media Releases
Beyond Nuclear Initiative:
“Come Out and Camp with Us” Traditional Owners Challenge Government to Meet Over Muckaty Waste Dump
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.wordpress.com/2011/02/25/%E2%80%9Ccome-ou...
25 Feb 11: "Muckaty Traditional Owners met outside the offices of the Northern Land Council in Tennant Creek today to protest the passing of the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill through the House of Representatives.
The protest coincided with a federal court mediation in Melbourne about the contested Muckaty site nomination, attended by Traditional Owner Mark Lane Jangala. The Traditional Owners resolved to continue fighting the proposed waste dump and reiterated calls for politicians and the NLC to come to Tennant Creek and meet with the community. ...
Senior Traditional Owner Bunny Naparulla concluded: “We been fighting all those years for our land, but what we got – nothing! I don’t want that nuclear waste in the land, my grandfather’s land and my mother’s land. We got the culture for it and the knowledge for the country. Five groups are there but they’ve been listening to one group. We don’t want that nuclear waste in Muckaty, in Manuwangku, take it away!”"
Australian Greens - Scott Ludlam:
Government sells out Traditional Owners and the Northern Territory while Coalition splits on nuclear waste dump vote
http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/government-se...
22 Feb 11: "The Australian Greens today condemned the Government for passing a bill to force a radioactive waste dump onto the Northern Territory, despite the Opposition refusing to vote and Coalition MP Natasha Griggs crossing the floor to oppose the bill.
Greens MP Adam Bandt and Greens nuclear affairs spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam congratulated Ms Griggs for her courage in voting against the radioactive waste dump bill while the Coalition took the extremely unusual step of removing all but one member from the Chamber during the vote.
The National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010, which sets up the legal regime for a radioactive waste dump at Muckaty north of Tennant Creek, overrides all State and Territory legislation that could affect the dump plan and exempts Minister Ferguson, who refused to meet with the traditional owners of the site, from compliance with key Commonwealth environment and Indigenous protections. Senator Ludlam noted that some MPs who backed the dump plan also advocated a "nuclear future" for Australia."
Australian Greens - Scott Ludlam:
Bandt to vote against government and force a vote on nuclear dump
http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/bandt-vote-ag...
20 Feb 11: "For the first time Greens MP Adam Bandt will vote against a government bill in Federal Parliament today and seek to highlight the governments failure to properly consult traditional owners about plans for a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory.
The National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010, which sets up the legal regime for a radioactive waste dump at Muckaty north of Tennant Creek, will be debated today. ... The Greens in the Senate have previously strongly opposed the legislation.
Mr Bandt will move an amendment to delay passage of the bill until Minister Ferguson consults with Traditional Owners who are opposed to the dump. This pre-requisite recommendation from an earlier Senate Inquiry into the dump laws has been completely ignored by Minister Ferguson."
- Audio
SBS Podcasts: Nuclear waste dump for NT a step closer
http://www.sbs.com.au/podcasts/Podcasts/world-view/episode/146937/Nuclea...
25 Feb 11: "Controversial legislation allowing the creation of Australia's first national storage facility for low-level and intermediate level nuclear waste has been passed in the House of Representatives. The site most likely to be used to the radioactive waste dump is Muckaty Station near Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory." Santilla Chingaipe
Beyond Nuclear Initiative: February 21, 2011
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.wordpress.com/audio/
21 Feb 11: "Following on from Greens MP Adam Bandt’s speech in the House of Reps this morning, (click here to download: http://beyondnuclearinitiative.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/110221_adam-b... ) he moved an amendment in the House that the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill be deferred until the first recommendation of the inquiry is undertaken and traditional owners are consulted.
The Senate inquiry recommendation No. 1—that
… as soon as possible the Minister for Resources Energy and Tourism undertake consultations with all parties with an interest in or who would be affected by a decision to select the Muckaty Station site as the location for the national radioactive waste facility.
Audio from the House of Representatives debate is below.
Speakers were: Ian MacFarlane (Lib), Adam Bandt (Greens), Don Randall (Lib) , Dick Adams (ALP), Alex Hawke (Lib), Tony Zappia (ALP), Natasha Griggs (CLP), Anna Burke (ALP), Martin Ferguson (ALP)"
- Briefing Paper
Proposed Radioactive Waste Dump at Muckaty, NT
Briefing Paper - February 2011
Jim Green B.Med.Sci.(Hons.), PhD
National nuclear campaigner - Friends of the Earth, Australia
Friends of the Earth: http://www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear/issues/oz/nontdump/Dump%20briefing%20...
Beyond Nuclear Initiative: http://beyondnuclearinitiative.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/dump-briefing...
Feb 11: "1. INTRODUCTION
The Labor Government plans to establish a national radioactive waste dump at Muckaty, 120 kms north of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. There are many concerns with the proposal, including:
* The opposition of many Traditional Owners to the proposal, and the unwillingness of the Government to listen to their concerns and to include them in decision-making processes.
* Draconian legislation which overrides Aboriginal heritage and environmental protection laws and overrides all state/territory laws.
* The failure of the Government to establish the need for a national repository.
* The failure of the Government to carry out a site-selection process based on scientific and environmental criteria.
* Multiple breaches of binding ALP platform policy commitments. ... "
- Video
NT News: Sambo takes the hip-hop fight to N-dump
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/02/28/214991_ntnews.html
28 Feb 11: "A TERRITORY rap star has pulled off some rhymes to protest against a nuclear waste dump to be built on her country. Young Muckaty woman and award-winning hip hop artist Kylie Sambo took her song "Muckaty" down south last week to have her voice heard. Ms Sambo said she was fighting for a "brighter future" for the children living at the remote station, north of Tennant Creek. "We don't want the waste dump on our land because we care for it as much as it cares for us," she said."
Beyond Nuclear Initiative: MUCKATY by Kylie Sambo
http://www.beyondnuclearinitiative.wordpress.com/video
[For more about Kylie Sambo see:
"No dump at Muckaty!" http://indymedia.org.au/2011/02/25/no-dump-at-muckaty-protests-continue-...
and "Music For Muckaty" http://www.treatyrepublic.net/content/music-muckaty-melbourne-friday-25t...
and "Nuclear waste dump for NT a step closer" http://www.sbs.com.au/podcasts/Podcasts/world-view/episode/146937/Nuclea... ]
- News
ABC Rural: Traditional Owners angry at Muckaty decision for nuclear dump in NT
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201102/s3149332.htm
25 Feb 11: "Mediation proceedings begin today in the court challenge over the nomination of Muckaty station as the proposed site for a nuclear waste dump facility. Traditional Owners have reaffirmed their opposition to the facility claiming that the government failed to consult all traditional owner groups. This comes after legislation enabling the facility to be built at Muckaty, passed through the House of Representatives on Tuesday." Caddie Brain
Indymedia Australia: No dump at Muckaty! Protests continue in Martin Ferguson's electorate, 24 February 2011
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/02/25/no-dump-at-muckaty-protests-continue-...
25 Feb 11: "To mark the one-year anniversary of the announcement of Muckaty in the Northern Territory as the chosen site for a proposed national radioactive waste dump, members of Friends of the Earth ACE (Anti-nuclear and Clean Energy) Collective* toured part of Energy and Resources Minister Martin Ferguson's Batman electorate in search of an alternative dumping ground. ... This action followed a visit to the minister's electoral office by Kylie Sambo and Kelisha Green, two young hip-hop artists from Muckaty opposed to the dump; ... "
NT News: Protesters ramp up campaign against nuke dump
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/02/24/214321_ntnews.html
24 Feb 11: "TERRITORY anti-nuclear waste dump protesters have started a small but concerted campaign against new legislation expected to be presented to the Federal Senate next week. The House of Representatives passed the Bill on Tuesday with Muckaty Station about 120km north of Tennant Creek the site most likely to be used for the dump."
ABC: Nuclear dump laws 'show need for NT statehood'
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/24/3147906.htm
24 Feb 11: "The imminent passage of national nuclear waste dump legislation is another argument for the Northern Territory to become a state, the Territory's Statehood Committee says. Federal laws making it easier to build a waste dump at Muckaty Station passed the House of Representatives this week. The laws are expected to pass the Senate next week. Statehood Committee chairwoman Jane Aagaard has told the Territory Parliament that Territorians are not being treated fairly."
ABC Rural: Nuclear waste in 44 gallon drums
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/nt/content/201102/s3148062.htm
24 Feb 11: "On Tuesday the House of Representatives passed a bill 68 to 6 for a nuclear waste facility to be built on Muckaty Station, north of Tennant Creek. It's something that has divided opinions both within politics and the general community."
ABC: MPs pass nuclear waste dump bill
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/22/3145939.htm?site=darwin
23 Feb 11: "The House of Representatives has passed a bill to allow a national storage facility for radioactive waste to be set up in Australia. Muckaty Station, near Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, is the site most likely to be used for the dump. Resources Minister Martin Ferguson says Australia has been trying to find a site for a nuclear waste dump since 1988 and it is time that the issue was dealt with. But the National Radioactive Waste Managements Bill 2010 is likely to face further delays in the Senate. Greens Senator Scott Ludlam says the Greens will introduce a series of amendments in the Upper House, including tightening the discretion given to the Resources Minister."
ABC: Griggs attacks Snowdon for nuclear dump stance
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/23/3146457.htm
23 Feb 11: "The Country Liberals Member for Solomon, Natasha Griggs, has criticised the Labor Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, for supporting a bill that would allow a nuclear waste dump to be built in his electorate. Muckaty Station, near Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, is the only site being considered for the dump. Ms Griggs and several independent MPs voted against the bill, which was yesterday passed in the House of Representatives by 68 votes to 6. Mrs Griggs says Mr Snowdon should explain why he has changed his stance over recent years."
NT News: Editorial: Griggs defiant on N-waste
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/02/23/214191_opinion.html
23 Feb 11: "TERRITORIANS are probably evenly divided about the Federal Government's decision to build a nuclear waste dump near Tennant Creek. ... But on one issue there is more agreement - that Canberra should not have the right to impose the dump on Territorians."
NT News: Vote brings dump a step closer
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/02/23/214161_ntnews.html
23 Feb 11: "LEGISLATION to create a national nuclear waste dump at Muckaty, north of Tennant Creek, passed through the Lower House of Federal Parliament yesterday. The National Radioactive Waste Management Bill was not supported in the House of Representatives by any of the independents or the Greens. Country Liberal Member for Solomon Natasha Griggs also crossed the floor to vote against it."
ABC Rural: Labor split on Muckaty nuclear waste dump
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201102/s3146509.htm
23 Feb 11: "A Northern Territory MP says he's disappointed members of his own party have voted in favour of a nuclear waste dump in his electorate. The House of Representatives passed the bill 68 to six yesterday, for the facility to be built on Muckaty Station near Tennant Creek. The Northern Territory site is the only one that's been seriously considered for the dump in recent years and had previously been opposed by the Federal Labor Party."
Australian Conservation Foundation:
Radioactive waste law ‘cynical and irresponsible’
http://www.acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=3300
22 Feb 11: "“This cynical and irresponsible legislation attempts to manage Australia’s highest level radioactive waste by imposing it on some of the country’s most disadvantaged people,” said ACF nuclear free campaigner Dave Sweeney. Labor promised to end a decade of division by doing things differently and better. Instead the ALP has revived the divisive and discredited approach of the Howard era and ignored growing community concern and opposition.”"
NT News: Griggs fights nuclear dump
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/02/22/213881_ntnews.html
22 Feb 11: "A TERRITORY federal MP is to vote against forcing the NT to house a nuclear waste dump. The Liberal and National parties support the Labor Government's National Radioactive Waste Management Bill, which would lead to the $30 million dump being built near Tennant Creek. CLP Senator Nigel Scullion, Labor Senator Trish Crossin and Labor minister Warren Snowdon will vote for the Bill. But Natasha Griggs said she would defy her party's whips and oppose the law. "I don't support the nuclear waste dump and I've made this clear in the party room," she said."
Australian: Martin Ferguson attacks Adam Bandt over political 'hypocrisy'
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/martin-ferguson-attacks-adam...
22 Feb 11: "RESOURCES Minister Martin Ferguson labelled Greens MP Adam Bandt a hypocrite, misusing indigenous people to pursue short-term politics. The attack came last night after the Greens MP called on Parliament to stop debating a plan for a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory to store low-level nuclear waste. Although the Opposition backed the debate, Mr Bandt, the Greens' only House of Representatives MP called for more consultation, insisting traditional owners at Muckaty Station were having the tip "dumped on them" and that the bill was being rammed through parliament against the wishes of the people of the Northern Territory."
Herald Sun: Nuclear dump report a whitewash - Bandt
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/nuclear-dump-report-a-whi...
21 Feb 11: "AUSTRALIA'S first radioactive waste dump has been subject to less oversight than would be deemed appropriate for construction of a car park, parliament has been told. A lower house committee has given its stamp of approval to government legislation that aims to establish a dump to store medical, industrial and research radioactive material at Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory. Committee chairman Tony Zappia tabled its report in parliament today, saying the committee had taken its task very seriously. ... But Australian Greens MP Adam Bandt, a member of the committee, slammed the report as a whitewash."
SMH: Ferguson dumps on Greens nuclear tactics
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/ferguson-dumps-on-greens-n...
21 Feb 11: "Government frontbencher Martin Ferguson has launched a stinging attack on the Australian Greens for trying to stall draft laws for Australia's first radioactive waste dump. The resources minister accused Greens MP Adam Bandt of rampant hypocrisy by opposing a dump at Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory. Mr Ferguson said the Greens say they support the establishment of a single national radioactive waste facility but erected "every possible conceivable barrier to prevent its realisation"."
New Matilda: We Still Can't Manage Nuclear Waste
http://newmatilda.com/2011/02/16/we-still-cant-manage-nuclear-waste
16 Feb 11: "If Lucas Heights can't maintain health and safety standards, what reason is there to believe Martin Ferguson's planned nuclear waste dump at Muckaty Station will be safe, asks Jim Green. It’s a sad truth that whistleblowers have provided the public with more information about accidents at the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor site on Sydney’s outskirts than the site’s operator — the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) — ever has. " Jim Green
NT News: Nuclear dump to be debated today
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/02/10/211731_ntnews.html
10 Feb 11: "LEGISLATION to create a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory will be debated in Federal Parliament today. The Labor Government plans to establish a national radioactive waste dump at Muckaty, 120km north of Tennant Creek. The Howard government first nominated Muckaty as one of four possible sites for a nuclear waste dump in September 2007. ... NT Chief Minister Paul Henderson has said the site should be chosen for scientific reasons, not because the NT was a constitutional "weak link"."
Preston Leader: Anti-nuclear protestors make their point at Minister's Preston office
http://preston-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/protestors-make-their...
29 Jan 11: "PROTESTORS campaigning against a nuclear waste repository in the Northern Territory staged a mock radioactive waste spill outside the Preston office of Batman federal Labor MP Martin Ferguson. The High St office of the Energy and Resources Minister was shut while environmental campaigners took centre stage, accompanied by a giant inflatable white elephant and a Ferguson impersonator sporting a papier-mache head. The protest is part of a campaign against the Federal Government’s proposed National Radioactive Waste management bill, ... "
ABC: Radioactive waste bill is flawed: Greens
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/23/3100550.htm
23 Dec 10: "The Greens say the Federal Government's proposed radioactive waste management bill is flawed and puts too much power in the hands of Resources Minister Martin Ferguson. A parliamentary committee has recommended the Government pass the legislation, which could see a national nuclear waste storage facility built at Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory. Greens MP Adam Bandt was on the committee but says his party has filed a dissenting report. Mr Bandt says there were no public hearings and no consultation with nearby traditional owners, some of whom are campaigning against the facility."
BACKGROUND TO MUCKATY STATION NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP:
Beyond Nuclear Initiative’s weblog: http://beyondnuclearinitiative.wordpress.com/
Beyond Nuclear Initiative: Muckaty: http://beyondnuclearinitiative.wordpress.com/muckaty/
Proposed Radioactive Waste Dump at Muckaty, NT
Briefing Paper - February 2011
Jim Green B.Med.Sci.(Hons.), PhD
National nuclear campaigner - Friends of the Earth, Australia
Friends of the Earth: http://www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear/issues/oz/nontdump/Dump%20briefing%20...
WGAR News: Nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory (2 Mar 10)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/03/02/wgar-news-nuclear-waste-dump-in-the-n...
WGAR News: Muckaty Station Nuclear Waste Dump (20 Mar 10)
http://groups.google.com.au/group/foblmail/browse_thread/thread/ddc393bb...
WGAR News: Nuclear Waste Dump … (28 Mar 10)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/03/28/wgar-news-nuclear-waste-dump-close-th...
WGAR News: Muckaty Radioactive Waste Dump … (4 Apr 10)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/04/03/wgar-news-muckaty-radioactive-waste-d...
WGAR News: National day of action against Muckaty nuclear waste dump: 12th April!
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/04/10/wgar-news-national-day-of-action-agai...
WGAR News: Nuclear Waste Dump: Senate inquiry in Darwin; Nationwide protests (17 Apr 10)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/04/16/wgar-news-nuclear-waste-dump-senate-i...
WGAR News: … Update: Muckaty Station Nuclear Waste Dump (23 Apr 10)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2010/04/22/wgar-news-raw-sewage-dumped-in-ampila...
WGAR News: Update on Muckaty Station Nuclear Waste Dump (2 May 10)
http://wgar.wordpress.com/2010/05/02/02052010-update-on-muckaty-station-...
WGAR News: "Muckaty Voices" film; Senate Report into nuclear waste dump plan (16 May 10)
https://indymedia.org.au/2010/05/16/wgar-news-muckaty-voices-film-senate...
WGAR News: Federal Court legal challenge over nuclear waste dump (13 Jun 10)
http://lists.perthimc.asn.au/pipermail/blackgreensolidarity/2010-June/00...
WGAR News: PM Gillard: No change on Muckaty nuclear waste dump (12 Jul 10)
http://lists.perthimc.asn.au/pipermail/blackgreensolidarity/2010-July/00...
ABORIGINAL 'FREEDOM RIDE' RE-ENACTED:
- Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News 16-02-2011
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-16-02-2011
16 Feb 11: "A retrace of the 1965 freedom ride is reminding Australians of its deep and hidden past where racism and segregation was rampant in outback NSW. ... "
- News
ABC: Aboriginal 'Freedom Ride' re-enacted along north coast
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/24/3147316.htm?site=indigenou...
24 Feb 11: "A famous event that played an role in improving the quality of life for Aboriginal people, 46 years ago, is being re-enacted on the mid north coast today. 'The Freedom Ride' is travelling through the region and will be at Bowraville this morning, February 24. The original 'Freedom Ride' journey was in 1965 and travelled across 2300 kilometres of northwest and coastal New South Wales. One of the organisers of the current event, Kylie Cassidy says the re-enactment is again raising awareness of Indigenous issues."
ABC: Historic 'Freedom Ride' re-enactment Bowraville and Kempsey
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/24/3147773.htm?site=indigenou...
24 Feb 11: "History will be repeated at Kempsey this afternoon, February 24, when a busload of students arrives at the local swimming pool. It is a re-enactment of the Freedom Ride of 46 years ago which challenged attitudes to indigenous people. ... The Freedom Ride 2011 ends in Sydney on Saturday, February 26."
Tenterfield Star: Freedom ride visits Tenterfield
http://www.tenterfieldstar.com.au/news/local/news/general/freedom-ride-v...
23 Feb 11: "A BUS re-enacting the famous 1965 “Freedom Ride” through north-west and coastal NSW has stopped over in Tenterfield. In February 1965, a group of University of Sydney students organised the bus tour with the purpose of drawing public attention to the poor state of Aboriginal health, education and housing. Activists from the Student Action for Aborigines (SAFA) toured with the bus to highlight the socially discriminatory barriers between white Australians and Aborigines. In 2011, the Freedom Ride aimed to “acknowledge the past and continue the struggle”."
Moree Champion: Freedom Ride re-enacted
http://www.moreechampion.com.au/news/local/news/general/freedom-ride-ree...
22 Feb 11: "ON Sunday the Moree pool was full of children, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, all playing together. But not so long ago this wouldn’t have been allowed. Prior to 1965 the council had a rule that Indigenous people were not allowed to enter the town pool. That all changed on February 20, 1965. Charles Perkins and Sydney university students visited Moree as part of the Freedom Ride on that day. The purpose of the Freedom Ride was to point out the discriminatory barriers between Aborigines and white people."
ABC: Historic ride re-enacted to highlight Indigenous issues
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/14/3137691.htm?site=indigenou...
14 Feb 11: "The steps of an historic bus trip that highlighted the disadvantage of Aboriginal people across western New South Wales are being retraced by a group of students. The original Freedom Ride was organised by University of Sydney students led by Charles Perkins in 1965. The re-enactment by 30 students from the Central Coast is in Dubbo today, and will also stop in Gulargambone, Walgett and Collarenebri. The Aboriginal Cultural Adviser at Youth Connections which has initiated the project, Gavi Duncan, says it will celebrate the achievements of the original journey."
SBS World News: Students retrace Freedom Ride
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1483522/Students-retrace-Freedom-Rides
13 Feb 11: "A group of high school students is retracing the journey of the 1965 Freedom Ride, in the hope of generating constitutional change. Charles Perkins led a busload of university students through outback New South Wales in 1965 to confront racism head-on. Now students from Central Coast High School are retracing these steps in a bid to generate support for having the original Aboriginal ownership of Australia recognised in the constitution."
ACTIVIST JUDE KELLY FROM THE ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSY GIVES UP CITIZENSHIP:
- News
Herald Sun: Tent embassy activist Jude Kelly gives up citizenship in protest
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/tent-embassy-activist-jud...
15 Feb 11: "AN Aboriginal tent embassy resident has renounced her citizenship and declared herself a refugee. Jude Kelly has given up the right to claim Centrelink or Medicare benefits as she continues living outside Old Parliament House in Canberra. The grandmother and member of the Stolen Generation will also refuse to pay tax as part of a protest against the treatment of indigenous Australians in the legal system."
IMPORTANCE OF BILINGUAL EDUCATION IN REMOTE INDIGENOUS SCHOOLS:
- Interview
ABC Life Matters: Indigenous language education
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lifematters/stories/2011/3136565.htm
14 Feb 11: "The importance of bilingual education in remote Indigenous schools has become more evident since the Northern Territory government ruled that classes should be in English for the first four hours of each day. The Northern Territory's Australian of the Year, Michael Christie, supports a rethink on this policy and says that we could all benefit from learning something of our first languages. ...
Guests: Professor Michael Christie, Indigenous Languages Academic, Charles Darwin University: http://www.cdu.edu.au/research/profiles/profile_christie.html "
- Email Group
Friends of Bilingual Learning
http://groups.google.com/group/foblmail
"Description: Supporters of Bilingual & Multilingual education, living and learning in the Northern Territory. Recognising the importance of language in human development, identity and wellbeing."
NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION ARTICLES:
- Interview
Guardian Weekly: 'People wanted it to be made': Q&A with Sinem Saban and Damien Curtis – producers of Our Generation
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/14/our-generation-saban-curtis-...
14 Feb 11: "Our Generation examines indigenous rights in Australia through the experiences of the Yolngu community of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. Largely ignored by the mainstream media, the documentary offers a rare glimpse into the issues affecting Australian indigenous communities. Sinem Saban and Damien Curtis, producers of Our Generation, talk about the motivation behind the film and what they hope it will achieve ...
Are there a lot of people in Australia who are still unaware of some of the issues raised in the film?
Sinem: There are other people and groups doing similar things to what we do, so there is certainly awareness among those who are interested in indigenous rights. As for mainstream Australia, most people know about a few of the big issues that come through the media: usually with no background information, and often reinforcing the stereotype. The National Emergency Response was sensationalised and the media picked it up across the whole country. The Intervention is even more detrimental when you line it up with other policies and issues facing indigenous Australia. However, the media presents indigenous issues separately, not as one complete picture. When people saw these issues together in our film, that they were shocked to see what the bigger picture was revealing."
"You can get more information about the issues raised in the film, and buy your own copy of the documentary by going to the Our Generation website at www.ourgeneration.org.au "
- Media Release
Intervention Rollback Action Group, Mparntwe-Alice Springs:
Exploitation of Aboriginal workers under SIHIP: Campaigners stand up to Macklin
http://rollbacktheintervention.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/exploitation-...
2 Feb 11: "The Intervention Rollback Action Group in Alice Springs will today deliver a letter to Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin from Aboriginal workers who say they have been exploited under SIHIP.
The letter will be delivered during the opening of a new temporary accommodation facility in Alice Springs. It demands Minister Macklin organise back-pay for all work done on renovation programs, bring all houses up to public housing standards, provide funding for new houses in all remote communities and restore housing to Aboriginal community control.
Indigenous Employment Minister Mark Arbib claimed during Senate Estimates in November that all work done on SIHIP by Aboriginal workers is paid at award rates and denied that workers were paid on the 'BasicsCard'.
But workers from Amoonguna near Alice Springs say they were kept on the Community Development Employment Program (CDEP) during work on SIHIP renovations from June - October last year. Throughout this period they received Centrelink pay, half of which was on their 'BasicsCard' and only intermittent 'top-up' pay."
See: Intervention Rollback Action Group, Mparntwe-Alice Springs (IRAG): www.rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com
- Opinion / Analysis
Solidarity: Unions take up fight against Indigenous housing rort
http://www.solidarity.net.au/32/unions-take-up-fight-against-indigenous-...
Feb 11: "The CFMEU, Unions NT and the Intervention Rollback Action Group have launched a joint petition demanding justice for Indigenous workers ripped off under the Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program (SIHIP). SIHIP is a key component of the federal government’s Northern Territory Intervention. ... But rather than helping to alleviate the overcrowding, squalid conditions and unemployment that cripples Aboriginal life in the NT, the unprecedented investment in SIHIP has only further disempowered Aboriginal people—and helped line the pockets of major construction firms and government bureaucrats." Paddy Gibson
Online Opinion: 'Closing the Gap' Gillard style
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=11632&page=0
16 Feb 11: "Gillard’s characterisation of the problem is grossly unfair to Aboriginal people and demonstrably inaccurate ... One must wonder who is responsible for the briefing provided to our Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, before she gave her "Closing the Gap" speech last week. Surely targeting a group of our population in a national address in such a prejudiced way is an extraordinary act by any leader. ... Did anyone brief our Prime Minister on Northern Territory Aboriginal people and their current precarious situation with their land having been compulsorily removed from their control by her Government? These are people who now live without equity in their own land. The legislation that treats Northern Territory Aboriginal families differently to all other Australians, and which has been roundly condemned by the United Nations ... " Michele Harris OAM
- Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News 24-02-2011
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-24-02-2011
24 Feb 11: "A leading Australian researcher says he warned nearly four years ago that the implementation of policies to move Aboriginal people from outstations to townships would lead to an unprecedented level of urban migration in the Northern Territory. ... "
CAAMA Radio News 23-02-2011
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-23-02-2011
23 Feb 11: "An award winning indigenous affairs reporter says the Northern Territory Intervention has been hijacked and turned into a mode of spying on people in remote communities. ... "
CAAMA Radio News 17-02-2011
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-17-02-2011
17 Feb 11: "A Melbourne based academic who has spent more than 3 decades working alongside Yanyuwa people people in the Northern Territory says Gillard Government bureaucrats aren’t even close in their understanding of how to work with and alongside Aboriginal people. ... "
CAAMA Radio: Malcolm Fraser speaks on CAAMA Radio
http://caama.com.au/malcolm-fraser-speaks-on-caama-radio
15 Feb 11: "Paul Wiles speaks to former Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm fraser on strong voices about the Intervention."
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
Take A Leadership Role says Tangentyere Council
http://caama.com.au/take-a-leadership-role
14 Feb 11: "It’s Time For Political Leaders To Take A Leadership Role In Partnership With Indigenous Australia
The Intervention (Northern Territory Emergency Response) in the Northern Territory has created a number of alarming issues and to a large extent the Aboriginal population in the Central Australian Region has become disengaged from any development process with growing signs of increasing despair and family breakdowns. Mr Walter Shaw, the CEO of Tangentyere Council today says “The Intervention was another attempt by the Canberra political and administrative process to ‘fix the Aboriginal problem’ with a new mantra of ‘Normalisation’. ... "
- News
ABC: Aboriginal leaders call for end to intervention
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/27/3150052.htm
27 Feb 11: "Aboriginal leaders in central Australia have welcomed comments from the man who designed the Northern Territory intervention, agreeing that it has failed. ... Since Labor won government the intervention has remained in place, but Mr Brough says Labor has not delivered it properly. Rosalie Kunoth-Monks from Utopia, 230 kilometres from Alice Springs agrees, although her agreement with Mr Brough ends there. ... Richard Downs from the Ampilatwatja community says the entire policy is wrong."
Australian: Indigenous housing delivers on job goals
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/aboriginal-australia/indigenous...
25 Feb 11: "THE Gillard government's beleaguered indigenous housing program in the Northern Territory has massively exceeded its targets for employing local Aborigines, with 307 indigenous employees working in around 60 communities and town camps."
SMH: People moving off income management in NT
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/people-moving-off-income-m...
24 Feb 11: "Almost 2000 welfare recipients in the Northern Territory have managed to move off income management since the scheme was rolled out eight months ago. A Senate estimates hearing has been told that 1754 people have so far passed strict tests enabling them to avoid quarantining and pocket their entire welfare cheque."
Business Spectator: NT welfare program a success: report
http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/N-Territory-welfare-p...
24 Feb 11: "Over 1,700 welfare recipients in the Northern Territory have gone off income management programs in the past eight months after finding apprenticeships, jobs or improving their parenting abilities, according to a report by The Australian. The data tracks welfare patterns since welfare quarantining was extended from indigenous to non-indigenous people in the Northern Territory last July, and reveals that 16,170 people are currently on welfare support, including 4,000 who have volunteered to take part in income management initiatives, the report said."
Australian: ACTU partnership in indigenous campaign
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/actu-partnership-in-ind...
16 Feb 11: "UNIONS will today follow the lead of big business and unveil a partnership with indigenous Australians to improve the lives of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders through decent jobs and sustainable development. The three-day ACTU Indigenous Conference in Darwin will also discuss a plan on how to deal with the Northern Territory Emergency Response targeting alcohol, violence and child abuse in 73 remote communities."
BACKGROUND TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION:
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Northern Territory National Emergency Response: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Territory_intervention
ANTaR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation) - NT intervention: http://www.antar.org.au/issues_and_campaigns/nt_intervention
'concerned Australians': http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/
Defending Indigenous Rights: http://defendingindigenousrights.wordpress.com/
Intervention walk-off's Blog: http://interventionwalkoff.wordpress.com/
IRAG (Intervention Rollback Action Group): http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/
Jobs with Justice: http://jobswithjustice.wordpress.com/
Melbourne Anti-Intervention Collective: http://maicollective.blogspot.com/
STICS (Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney): http://stoptheintervention.org/
WGAR (Working Group for Aboriginal Rights): http://wgar.info/
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WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)
WGAR Website: http://wgar.info/