Newsletter date: 2 August 2011
Contents:
* Aboriginal voices criticize NT intervention at consultations
* Interview with Dr. Lynn Arnold about the NT Intervention
* Background to the 2011 round of consultations in the NT over the Intervention
* Forty organisations oppose income management in Bankstown
* Interview with Prof. Sir Michael Marmot about impacts on people's health
* Upcoming Aboriginal rights events around Australia - 21 events from 2 August 2011
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Other articles
* ABORIGINAL VOICES CRITICIZE NT INTERVENTION AT CONSULTATIONS:
- News
Solidarity: Aboriginal people stand up to sham Intervention consultations
http://www.solidarity.net.au/37/aboriginal-people-stand-up-to-sham-inter...
August 2011: "The federal government is currently in the middle of a six week round of "consultations" with Aboriginal people on the future of the NT Intervention. This process is a sham. A discussion paper released by government called Stronger Futures makes it clear that key Intervention measures are not up for negotiation. ... I have visited community consultations, seeing the overbearing involvement of Government Business Managers and local Shire bosses and consistent attempts to restrict discussion. Officials facilitating the meetings strongly emphasise the "achievements" of the intervention so far. But where Aboriginal people are organised and assertive, the meetings have become important sites of protest." Lauren Mellor
Green Left: Aboriginal voices slam intervention at consultations
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/48354
30 Jul 11: "About 80 people gathered on July 28 at the Holiday Inn on Darwin’s Esplanade for one of the federal government’s Stronger Futures "consultations". ... This is the second round of consultations Labor has run about the intervention. ... It is this context that Mark Coffey, executive director of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, has organised the current consultation process across the NT. At the public meeting in Darwin on July 28, he was roasted alive. The consultations have been extensive - each of the 73 communities affected by the intervention in the NT had one as well as town camps in places such as Alice Springs and Darwin. At Bagot and Kalkarindji, Aboriginal people mobilised to condemn the government in heated meetings." Peter Robson, Darwin
Koori Mail: Stop the Intervention, Gurindji tell mtg
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
29 Jul 11: "GURINDJI people have told government representatives at a consultation meeting over the future of the NT Intervention that they want an end to the controversial strategy, which they say violates their human rights, integrity and liberty. Representatives of Kalkaringi and Daguragu communities told meetings on Wednesday that the loss of control over community land, new CDEP arrangements forcing people to work for the BasicsCard and shire council take-over of community council assets were making life harder. Gurindji representatives say Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin avoided the meeting because she knows the community is opposed to the Intervention."
See:
WGAR News: Gurindji tell consultations meeting: 'stop the Intervention immediately' (30 Jul 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/07/30/wgar-news-gurindji-tell-consultations...
* INTERVIEW WITH DR. LYNN ARNOLD ABOUT THE NT INTERVENTION:
- Audio interview
Radio Adelaide Breakfast with Tim Brunero: NT Intervention: Interview With Dr. Lynn Arnold - CEO Anglicare
http://radioadelaidebreakfast.wordpress.com/2011/07/29/nt-intervention-i...
29 Jul 11: "The Prime minister, Julia Gillard, probably recieves quite a lot of mail every day, but on her desk recently was a significant letter signed by 24 prominent South Australians. They wrote to the Prime Minister to ask her to put a stop to the Northern Territory Intervention. The Federal Government is currently holding talks with people in remote central Australian communities about the impact and future of the Intervention. Signatories to the letter include Robyn Layton QC, Dorinda Hafner, Christobel Mattingly, Lowitja O’Donahue and Dr. Lynn Arnold, CEO of Anglicare. Tim Brunero spoke to Dr. Arnold and he asked him why the letter was sent now."
See:
WGAR News: 24 prominent South Australians call on the government to end the NT Intervention (22 Jul 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/07/22/wgar-news-24-prominent-south-australi...
* BACKGROUND TO THE 2011 ROUND OF CONSULTATIONS IN THE NT OVER THE INTERVENTION:
'concerned Australians': New round of consultations 2011
http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/
STICS: Consultations 2011
http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/consultations-mid-2011
Our Generation: Prominent Australians Speak Out
http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/press/
WGAR News: New round of Government consultations in the NT over the Intervention (1 Jul 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/07/01/wgar-news-new-round-of-government-con...
WGAR News: Interviews with Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra about the Government’s consultation process (6 Jul 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/07/06/wgar-news-interviews-with-rev-dr-djin...
WGAR News: 24 prominent South Australians call on the government to end the NT Intervention (22 Jul 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/07/22/wgar-news-24-prominent-south-australi...
WGAR News: Interviews with Alistair Nicholson and Ian Viner about the current round of consultations in the NT over the Intervention (27 Jul 11)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2011/07/28/wgar-news-interview-with-randa-kattan...
WGAR News: Gurindji tell consultations meeting: 'stop the Intervention immediately' (30 Jul 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/07/30/wgar-news-gurindji-tell-consultations...
* FORTY ORGANISATIONS OPPOSE INCOME MANAGEMENT IN BANKSTOWN:
- Media Release
Forty organisations oppose government’s income management in Bankstown
http://www.sayno2gim.info/download/Media_Release_27_Jul_2011_Forty_organ...
27 Jul 11: "Forty organisations joined the growing opposition to the Commonwealth government’s plan to introduce income management in Bankstown. A full-page open letter appeared in the local papers today, addressed to federal ministers Jenny Macklin and Tanya Plibersek, and local federal MPs for Banks, Blaxland and Watson, voicing community concerns about the impact of such an intervention on people in Bankstown.
Spokesperson for the campaign coalition Say No to Government’s Income Management, Not in Bankstown, Not Anywhere and Executive Director of Arab Council Australia Ms Randa Kattan said, "Many people in the Bankstown area would be hearing about this for the first time today and will find this Big Brother approach by our government hard to believe". ... "
[Click on the above link to read the many more points made.]
See open letter:
http://www.sayno2gim.info/download/No_to_Governments_Income_Management.pdf
See new website:
Welcome to the campaign website of
Say No to Government’s Income Management: Not in Bankstown, Not Anywhere!:
http://www.sayno2gim.info/
See:
WGAR News: Interview with Randa Kattan about expansion of Income Management to Vic, NSW, Qld and SA (27 Jul 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/07/28/wgar-news-interview-with-randa-kattan...
* INTERVIEW WITH PROF. SIR MICHAEL MARMOT ABOUT IMPACTS ON PEOPLE'S HEALTH:
- Video interview
ABC: Healthy Lives
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-29/healthy-lives/2816902
29 Jul 11: "Louisa Rebgetz talks to Professor Sir Michael Marmot who has been investigating how living conditions, education, work, access to health care and life opportunities impact on people's health."
[Includes discussion of the Northern Territory Intervention.]
* UPCOMING ABORIGINAL RIGHTS EVENTS AROUND AUSTRALIA - 21 EVENTS FROM 2 AUGUST 2011:
Click on the links for details of the events ...
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: Wed 3 August 2011: Kempsey, NSW
'Our Generation' Community Screening
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/
Film details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
Event: Fri 5 August 2011: Adelaide, SA
129th Justice and Peace Candlelight Walk
"To call for a Treaty and Bill of Rights, ... "
Event details: http://antarsa.auspics.org.au/?p=1
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, South Sydney, NSW
'Our Generation' Community Screening
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/free-gymea-film-screening-of-our-generation-9-au...
Event details: [scroll down page] http://stoptheintervention.org/
Film details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
Poster: http://stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/Facts-Info-Our-...
Event: Wed 10 August 2011: Maroubra, East Sydney, NSW
'Our Generation' Community Screening
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/
Event details: [scroll down page] http://stoptheintervention.org/
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: Thu 11 August 2011: Sydney, NSW
Film night: Special screening of Backroads
Staring Gary Foley and the late Bill Hunter
Tin Sheds Gallery: booking required
Event details: http://tinsheds.wordpress.com/2011/07/18/special-event-gary-foley-in-syd...
Event: Sat 13 August 2011: Sydney, NSW
Workshop: Black Heart of the City
Gary Foley on Sydney’s Black history
Tin Sheds Gallery: booking required
Event details: http://tinsheds.wordpress.com/2011/07/18/special-event-gary-foley-in-syd...
Event: Mon 15 August 2011: Narooma, NSW
'Our Generation' Community Screening
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/
Film details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
Event: Wed 17 August 2011: Parramatta, Sydney, NSW
Building Bridges Course 2011
Nicole Watson - Why Change the Constitution?
Organised by Reconciliation for Western Sydney
Event details: [scroll down page] http://stoptheintervention.org/
Brochure: http://stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/Facts-Info/Buil...
Register for course (it's free!): http://www.parramattacollege.com.au/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Parramatta.woa/wa...
Course details: http://indymedia.org.au/building-bridges-2011
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...
About the walk: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/48231
Event: Fri 19 August 2011: Perth City, WA
'Our Generation' Community Screening
Event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/48217
Film details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
Event: Mon 22 August 2011: Adelaide, SA
'Our Generation' Community Screening
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/
Event details: http://unione.unilife.edu.au/Clubs/Event.aspx?CID=267&EID=1498
Event details: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=233274766693612
Film details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
Event: Wed 24 August 2011: Parramatta, Sydney, NSW
Building Bridges Course 2011
Chris Graham - Racism in the Media & the NT Intervention
Organised by Reconciliation for Western Sydney
Event details: [scroll down page] http://stoptheintervention.org/
Brochure: http://stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/Facts-Info/Buil...
Register for course (it's free!): http://www.parramattacollege.com.au/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Parramatta.woa/wa...
Course details: http://indymedia.org.au/building-bridges-2011
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 September 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: Wed 7 September 2011: Parramatta, Sydney, NSW
Building Bridges Course 2011
Graham Merritt - Aboriginal Activism in WA/NT & STICS
Organised by Reconciliation for Western Sydney
Event details: [scroll down page] http://stoptheintervention.org/
Brochure: http://stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/Facts-Info/Buil...
Register for course (it's free!): http://www.parramattacollege.com.au/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Parramatta.woa/wa...
Course details: http://indymedia.org.au/building-bridges-2011
Event: Fri 7 & Sat 8, Tue 11 to Sat 15 Oct 2011: Melbourne, Vic
Presented by Melbourne Festival in association with Sydney Festival
Ilbijerri Theatre Company (Australia): FOLEY
"Political agitator Gary Foley presents a swag of stories from a life lived in the spirit of resistance. ... "
Event details: http://www.melbournefestival.com.au/program/production?id=3860&idx=1&max=12
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...
- 'Our Generation' Film Reviews
Elimatta:
Aboriginal Support Group - Manly Warringah Pittwater:
Our Generation - Showing in London - page 8
http://www.asgmwp.net/ElimattaWinter2011.pdf
Winter 2011: "The Intervention is yet another example of the appalling treatment the Aboriginal People of Australia have been subjected to in such a short period of time compared to thousands of years of survival. Sinem Saban and Rev. Dr Gondarra supported by the Yolngu people and cinematographer, Damien Curtis, have created a sensitive and realistic view of the plight of those who wish to live a more traditional life in their homelands and of those who appear to be dispossessed." Christine Waterer
Elimatta:
Aboriginal Support Group - Manly Warringah Pittwater:
ASG Information Night: Our Generation - page 6
http://www.asgmwp.net/ElimattaSummer2010.pdf
Summer 2010: "Local resident and journalist, Jeff McMullen introduced "Our Generation", the film by Sinem Saban and Damien Curtis which we were there to see. The film explored in depth the Federal Government Intervention into Aboriginal Communities in the Northern Territory. Jeff had told us that the film’s producers were not having any success in having the film shown on government or commercial media outlets and they were having to screen it in local community halls to show the community at large just what was involved in the Intervention. It is basically a war on Aboriginal culture. The dispossession of the Aboriginal people is simply continuing in a new guise." Carol Gerrard
See:
Our Generation: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/
Aboriginal Support Group - Manly Warringah Pittwater: http://www.asgmwp.net/index.htm
* 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
IRAG (Intervention Rollback Action Group): Mparntwe - Alice Springs: http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/
STICS (Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney): http://stoptheintervention.org/
CAAMA (Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association) - NT Intervention: http://caama.com.au/?s=NT+Intervention
Treaty Republic - NT Intervention: http://treatyrepublic.net/search/node/NT%20Intervention
'concerned Australians': Without Justice there can be no Reconciliation: http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/
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
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 ARTICLES:
- News
National Indigenous Radio Service: Congress members want Parliament seats
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6028...
1 Aug 11: "Members of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples have urged the Congress to push for seats in Parliament to be reserved for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Almost two-thirds of those surveyed by the new Congress say they want to see Indigenous seats in the Parliament, alongside other changes to the Constitution to be voted on in 2013."
National Indigenous Radio Service: Protesters fined in Kimberly
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6029...
1 Aug 11: "Twenty-three people appeared in Broome Magistrates Court on Friday charged with obstructing police during violent scenes at the site of the Kimberly gas hub project. The charges were laid as police tried to break through protest lines on the road to James Price Point in Western Australia's Kimberly region, where anti-gas hub protesters had been camping for a month. ... One of the fined, Shaun Clark, said the protest was a non-violent act."
Hands off Country: Message from Walmandan Camp James Price Point
http://handsoffcountry.blogspot.com/2011/07/message-from-walmandan-camp-...
31 Jul 11: "Would like to thank everyone for another smooth running successful day. They reported that another fantastic individual locked on for six hours yesterday forcing the Woodside’s morning shift to turn around and returned back to Broome, without working at all. The supporters had a festival of music and poems with fresh pastries for breakfast. All with only one arrest at James Price Point and one move on notice issued at the Manari Road Blockade. The humbug will continue until the Woodside’s illegal clearing and drilling regime is stopped."
[Includes video.]
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