Newsletter date: 1 July 2011
Contents:
* New round of Government consultations in the NT over the Intervention
* Upcoming Aboriginal rights events around Australia - 15 events
* Other Northern Territory (NT) Intervention articles
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Other articles
* NEW ROUND OF GOVERNMENT CONSULTATIONS IN THE NT OVER THE INTERVENTION:
- The Consultations
indigenous.gov.au: The consultations [includes timetable]
http://www.indigenous.gov.au/index.php/no-category/the-consultations/
'concerned Australians': New round of consultations 2011
http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/
Stop the Intervention: Consultations
http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/consultations-mid-2011
- Letter
Letter to the Hon Jenny Macklin MP, Minister for Families, Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
By Alastair Nicholson AO and on behalf of several other leaders
'concerned Australians': http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/media/Letter_Alastair_Nicholson_t...
STICS: http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/consultations-mid-2011/Letter-from-...
27 Jun 11: "Dear Minister,
We note on 22 June, the release of Stronger Futures discussion paper which sets out a new round of consultations/conversations with Aboriginal people at public meetings in Regional Centres and in Communities.
We also note that there are contained in Stronger Futures a series of issues to which there are questions attached, 33 in all, which will guide the consultations. This document of 28 pages including the questions, is provided to Aboriginal communities in the English language.
For these consultations to mark the beginning of a new era of cooperation, it seems to us that these critical questions, through which Government hopes to determine the views of the people, should be provided in languages common to the five Regions of consultation and in hard copy for the purpose of circulation to those living in homelands and without computer access. Government should be responsible for ensuring that all communities have copies of the discussion paper well in advance of any consultations. ... "
[Click on above link to continue reading the letter which makes several other points]
[Click on this link to view names of people letter was signed on behalf of: http://stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/Facts-Info/Sign...
- Media Releases
Response to the Prime Minister Julia Gillard's announcement of a Second Intervention in the Northern Territory
By Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM
'concerned Australians': http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/media/MR-Dr-Djiniyini-Gondarra-Re...
STICS: http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/consultations-mid-2011/MR-by-Rev-Dr...
26 Jun 11: "The Government and the people of Australia are only able to achieve true reconciliation with Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory if the environment for negotiation is changed and justice, that was so brutally removed by the Intervention, is restored. Only through respectful dialogue and working together can we call Australia a nation based on the principles of democracy.
Future negotiations will rely upon: ... [click in above link to the read five points made]"
Press Release re "Stronger Futures"
By Rt Hon Malcolm Fraser AC CH GCL, former Prime Minister of Australia
'concerned Australians': http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/media/MR-Malcolm-Fraser-27-6-11.pdf
STICS: http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/consultations-mid-2011/MR-by-the-Ho...
27 Jun 11: "On 22 June 2011 the Prime Minister and Jenny Macklin announced a new round of consultations with Aboriginal Communities. It was accompanied by a 28 page discussion paper "Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory".
We are now advised these consultations are beginning tomorrow. What is the reason for this unseemly haste? A 28 page document written only in English is incapable of being fully understood and absorbed by Aboriginal communities in the time that the government has allegedly made available. In many communities the document should be translated into Aboriginal languages. ...
In other words to talk sensibly about the future we need a full and proper audit of what has happened over the last 4 years of a paternal and Canberra centric process."
[Click on above link to continue reading the media release which makes several other points]
Government move on NT Intervention may cause further grief, Archbishop Freier warns
Melbourne Anglican: http://www.melbourne.anglican.com.au/NewsAndViews/Pages/Government-move-...
'concerned Australians': http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/media/MR-Anglican-Melb-Diocese-29...
STICS: http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/consultations-mid-2011/mr-by-the-an...
29 Jun 11: "The Federal Government is in danger of adding to the hurt and grief of Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory caused by the Intervention, Archbishop Philip Freier warned today.
Dr Freier, who is the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne and the former Bishop of the Northern Territory, has expressed concern that the Federal Government’s consultations in the Northern Territory over the Intervention and its discussion paper 'Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory,' have been organised without adequate preparation or warning.
"Indigenous Australians in the Northern Territory are already feeling disenfranchised by the Intervention, and the fact that insufficient time has been allowed for the 'Stronger Futures' discussion paper to be considered before the public consultations begin may further alienate them and effectively deny them their democratic right to be heard," he said. ... "
The Only Intervention Needed
http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=art...
28 Jun 11: ""The only intervention needed in the Northern Territory is an intervention in communication" Richard Trudgen, author of Why Warriors Lie Down and Die, responds to the news that the Gillard Government will spend six weeks in talks with Indigenous leaders looking for new ideas to deal with the disadvantage that Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory experience.
"The Government needs to turn away from paternalistic programs and deliver real programs that empower the first Australians.
Right across the remote areas of Australia Aboriginal people, who speak an 'original Australian language' as their home language, are cut off from life saving and life changing information that other Australians receive in excess." explains Richard.
For most of these Aboriginal people, English is still a very foreign language, ... "
- Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News 30-06-2011
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-30-06-2011
30 Jun 11: "A mixed response to the Gillard Labour Governments community consultations in the Northern Territory as Aboriginal people in Tennant Creek paint a different picture to what has been reported in the mainstream media."
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
Aboriginal people in Tennant Creek talk about the Community consultation.
http://caama.com.au/aboriginal-people-in-tennant-creek-talk-about-the-co...
29 Jun 11
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News 29-06-2011
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-29-06-2011
29 Jun 11: "* The implementation of the Gillard Labour Governments community consultations with Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory is attracting widespread criticism, with claims that people are not being given enough time to respond to the Governments 28 page discussion paper.
* Former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser has also issued a statement critical of the Gillard Labor Governments consultation process.
* Top End Aboriginal elder Dr Dinyini Gondarra has also responded to the Prime Ministers post intervention strategies, which he has labelled a second intervention in the Northern Territory."
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News 28-06-2011
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-28-06-2011
28 Jun 11: "Former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser has questioned the Gillard Labor Governments rush to implement community consultations with Aboriginal communities in the NT just days after making the announcement."
Indigenous radio station 98.9FM Brisbane
Let's Talk - Indigenous presented talkback:
http://989fm.com.au/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29
28 Jun 11: "Dr. Djiniyini Gondarra and Jeff McMullen: Tiga Bayles talks with Dr. Djiniyini Gondarra and Jeff McMullen about the Federal Governments announcement about new developments taking place and new intervention proposals."
Listen to this interview on-line:
http://www.989fm.com.au/podcasting/audio/98fm-podcast-2011-06-28-78165.mp3
- News
Australian: Gooda leads calls for more time on next step of intervention
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/gooda-leads-calls-for-m...
29 Jun 11: "Mick Gooda has urged the Gillard government to consult for longer than six weeks on the next phase of the intervention. The indigenous social justice commissioner says "they are kidding themselves" if they believe it is enough time. Mr Gooda told The Australian yesterday the six-week period should be seen as the "beginning" of talks with indigenous communities about what should be done when the Northern Territory intervention laws and funding expire late next year."
Australian: Malcolm Fraser slams lack of intervention audit
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/malcolm-fraser-slams-la...
28 Jun 11: "FORMER Liberal prime minister Malcolm Fraser has questioned the "unseemly haste" with which the Gillard government is moving to remodel its intervention into Northern Territory indigenous communities. Mr Fraser has also criticised the government for having failed to account for the consequences of the intervention, triggered in 2007 after the "Little Children are Sacred" report. Yesterday, Mr Fraser, who visited the territory in February and attacked the intervention as "paternalistic and demeaning", ... "
SMH: Intervention report lacks detail: Fraser
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/intervention-report-lacks-...
27 Jun 11: "Former prime minister Malcolm Fraser says the Gillard government's latest report on the Northern Territory intervention provides no adequate measure of what has been achieved in Aboriginal communities. Mr Fraser on Monday said the absence of details in the paper, relating to the successes and failures of the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER) would impede and prevent proper consultation. "To talk sensibly about the future we need a full and proper audit of what has happened over the last four years of a paternal and Canberra-centric process," he said in a statement."
Koori Mail: Govt talks plan for 'new way forward'
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php?page=Current+Edition
29 Jun 11: "THE Federal Government has used the fourth anniversary of the Northern Territory Emergency Response - the NT Intervention - to announce it will embark on a fresh round of consultations to determine a 'new way forward'. The Government issued a discussion paper last week seeking the opinions of Indigenous people in the NT as a foundation for new laws once the Intervention expires on 30 June 2012."
ABC: Intervention meeting takes to outback roads
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/28/3255633.htm
28 Jun 11: "The first consultation meeting to help develop policies after the Federal Government intervention in the Northern Territory is being held in Tennant Creek this afternoon. Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin will meet with traditional owners from across the Barkly region. It follows last week's release of a discussion paper looking at how best to tackle disadvantage when the intervention expires next year."
- Analysis / Opinion
On Line Opinion: More talk, no action in indigenous affairs
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=12256
30 Jun 11: "The world doesn't need another Opposition Indigenous spokesperson bagging out the Government of the day about Aboriginal health. But Jenny Macklin celebrating yet another round of consultation plumbs new lows in Labor's anthropological approach to central Australia; watching, measuring and talking about the gap. So it has to be said." Andrew Laming
* UPCOMING ABORIGINAL RIGHTS EVENTS AROUND AUSTRALIA - 15 EVENTS:
Click on the links for details of the events ...
Event: Ongoing: James Price Point, Kimberley, WA
Kimberley gas plant protest camp and blockade
Protest and blockade updates: http://www.savethekimberley.com/wp/blog/
Save the Kimberley info: http://www.savethekimberley.com/
Kimberley protest info: http://handsoffcountry.blogspot.com/
Event: 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...
Event: Thu 30 June to Sun 17 July 2011: Newtown, Sydney, NSW
Exhibition: Stars, Sky, Breeze, Trees
Photo artist: Jagath Dheerasekara
Gallery: At The Vanishing Point
Gallery Hours: Thursday - Sunday 10am-6pm
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
Article: http://www.sundaytimes.lk/110626/Magazine/sundaytimesmagazine_01.html
Photos: http://jd.photoshelter.com/
Event: Tue 5 July 2011: Bunbury, WA
'Our Generation' Community Screening
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/
Film details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
Event: Fri 8 July 2011: Carlton, Melbourne, Vic
Forum: Rebuilding from the ground up
The grassroots alternative to the failed NT Intervention
Speakers: Valerie Martin (from Yuendumu)
& speakers from Indigenous communities affected by the Intervention
Event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/taxonomy/term/2663
Event: Sat 9 July 2011: Redfern, Sydney, NSW
Open Forum Discussion:
Kimberley gas plant threatens Aboriginal culture
Hear from Traditional Owners, Neil Mckenzie and Kerrianne Cox
Media Release and event details: http://ccr.uws.edu.au/2011/06/22/kimberley-gas-plant-threatens-aborigina...
Flyer: http://ccr.uws.edu.au/ccr-hub-wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Redfe...
Event: 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/
Event: Thu 18 August - Sun 30 October 2011: Wiluna to Perth, WA
Walk Away from Uranium Mining
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/walk-away-from-uranium-mining
Event details: http://www.nuclearfreefuture.com/
Walk Schedule: http://footprints.footprintsforpeace.net/nffcampaign/upload/files/Wiluna...
Event: Tue 9 August 2011: Adelaide, SA
'Our Generation' Community Screening
With open panel discussion including:
Rev. Dr. Djiniyini Gondarra OAM
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/
Film details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
Event: Tue 9 August 2011: Gymea, NSW
'Our Generation' Community Screening
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/
Film details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
Event: 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/
Event: 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/
Event: Wed 7 Sep 2011: Brunswick, Melbourne, Vic
Indigenous Social Justice Association:
Discussion of Justice Reinvestment
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/indigenous-social-justice-association-discussion...
Event details: http://www.isja-msg.com/coming_events.htm
Event: 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...
Event: 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...
* OTHER NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION ARTICLES:
- Media Release
Australian Human Rights Commission:
Involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people every step of the way is the only way to bring about lasting change
http://www.humanrights.gov.au/about/media/media_releases/2011/52_11.html
20 Jun 11: "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must be listened to when it comes to improving quality of life outcomes and better services in their communities, Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda said today.
Marking four years tomorrow since the former Coalition Government announced the five-year Northern Territory Emergency Response which suspended the Racial Discrimination Act, banned pornography and alcohol, compulsorily acquired land and compulsorily managed the income of Indigenous people in 73 prescribed communities, Commissioner Gooda said it was time to go back to basics.
"We were told the Little Children Are Sacred Report was the driving force for the Intervention which had protecting women and children as its top priority," Commissioner Gooda said.
"One of the fundamental problems with the Intervention is that it didn’t implement the report’s first recommendation which was that Aboriginal people had to be consulted.""
- News
Rollback the Intervention: Welcome to IRAG Alice Springs!
http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/
"Many thanks to all those who help make the Darwin gatherings such a great success. Thanks go to the Larrakia people for making everyone so welcome on their land. Also to Bagot Community for generously accommodating many of the travellers at their community. ... "
Koori Mail: Opponents release list of 11 demands
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php?page=Current+Edition
29 Jun 11: "OPPONENTS of the Northern Territory Intervention have released an 11-point list of demands as an alternative to further Intervention measures. The demands are contained in a document called ‘Rebuilding from the Ground Up: An Alternative to the NT Intervention’, which was launched at a rally in Darwin last week, and then endorsed at a rally in Sydney on Saturday."
Indymedia Australia: Spirited Protest Marks 4 Years of Failed NT Intervention
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/06/27/spirited-protest-marks-4-years-of-fai...
27 Jun 11: "The Federal government will "meet its Waterloo" in its attempt to extend income management, a plank of the NT Intervention, to parts of Sydney, protesters say. On Saturday June 25, several hundred people took to the streets of Sydney to protest the "atrocious" impacts of the NT Intervention, introduced four years ago this week. Social breakdown had accelerated in the four years since the legislation was introduced, Paddy Gibson, a researcher with the Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning at the University of Technology Sydney(UTS), told the crowd at Town Hall."
National Indigenous Radio Service: Sydney community oppose income management
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5895...
27 Jun 11: "Protesters say the Federal Government will "meet its Waterloo" in its attempt to introduce income management to a western Sydney community. A couple of hundred people took to the streets of Sydney on Saturday in protest at the government's Northern Territory intervention, introduced four years ago this week."
* 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
'concerned Australians': Without Justice there can be no Reconciliation: http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/
STICS (Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney): http://stoptheintervention.org/
CAAMA (Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association) - NT Intervention: http://caama.com.au/?s=NT+Intervention
IRAG (Intervention Rollback Action Group): Mparntwe - Alice Springs: http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/
Treaty Republic - NT Intervention: http://treatyrepublic.net/search/node/NT%20Intervention
Crikey - NT Intervention: http://www.crikey.com.au/topic/nt-intervention/
The Greens: Rachel Siewert: Northern Territory Intervention: http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/category/issues/indigenous-rights...
ANTaR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation) - NT intervention: http://www.antar.org.au/issues_and_campaigns/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 ARTICLES:
- Media Release
ANTaR: Welcome boost but time for Aboriginal justice to be national priority
http://www.antar.org.au/welcome_boost_but_time_for_aboriginal_justice_to...
29 Jun 11: "ANTaR has today welcomed the Attorney-General’s announcement of additional funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice programs. We echo his call for Aboriginal justice issues to be a priority agenda item at next month’s State and Territory Attorneys-General meeting.
"The additional funding of $3.2 million for diversionary, through care, interpreter and legal services is critically needed to break the cycle of offending and imprisonment and build safer and healthier communities," said Ms Jacqueline Phillips, ANTaR National Director.
"However, this should be seen as a down-payment on more significant and long-term investment to address the causes of offending in communities. Piecemeal program funding will have limited effect.""
See:
ANTaR: Reducing Imprisonment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
A National Call to Action (15 Apr 11)
http://www.antar.org.au/issues_and_campaigns/reducing_indigenous_incarce...
- Audio
The Wire: Protest against Nukes
[scroll down page] http://www.thewire.org.au/daydetail.aspx?SearchDay=2011-06-28
28 Jun 11: "A protest about nuclear energy will be held at a business forum, taking place at the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce tomorrow. The "Nuclear Energy After Fukushima" forum will feature Resources Minister Martin Ferguson and Dr Ziggy Switkowski from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology organisation. Protestors will argue against the expansion of the nuclear industry in Australia, which includes a proposed dump in the Northern territory and the possibility of building nuclear power plants.
Featured: Holly Creenaune from Friends of the Earth."
See:
Beyond Nuclear Initiative: http://beyondnuclearinitiative.com/
- News
National Indigenous Radio Service: Kimberley gas hub deal confirmed
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5921...
30 Jun 11: "Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett says today's Browse Basin deal between his government, Woodside and traditional owners is the most important by an Aboriginal group in Australian history."
Koori Mail: Kimberley gas battle heats up
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php?page=Current+Edition
29 Jun 11: "A FIGHT against plans to build a $30 billion liquefied natural gas precinct at James Price Point near Broome escalated further this month, with a blockade of the road into the proposed site. The controversial project is subject to an agreement between the West Australian Government, developer Woodside, and the Kimberley Land Council (KLC) representing Goolarabooloo Jabirr Jabirr people."
See:
WGAR News: Kimberley gas plant protest and blockade (28 Jun 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/06/28/wgar-news-kimberley-gas-plant-protest...
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WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)
WGAR Website: http://wgar.wordpress.com/