Newsletter date: 18 March 2012
Contents:
* Responses to Senate Committee report on 'Stronger Futures'
* Greg Barns: "Politicians ruling by stealth as wilful ignorance is allowed to flourish"
* Paddy Gibson: "Chorus of opposition greets Macklin’s extended Intervention"
* CLC: "New waste dump legislation fundamentally flawed"
* UN Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination - 21 Mar 12
* National Close the Gap Day - 22 Mar 12
* Message Sticks Festival 2012 - Sydney
* 'Our Generation' Film screenings - Melbourne, Sydney & NSW
* More 'Stronger Futures' Legislation related articles
* Background to 'Stronger Futures' new NT Intervention laws
* Other Northern Territory (NT) Intervention articles
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Other articles
* Upcoming Aboriginal rights events around Australia - 27 events from 17 March 2012
* RESPONSES TO SENATE COMMITTEE REPORT ON 'STRONGER FUTURES':
See:
WGAR News: Senate Inquiry into Stronger Futures releases it's report (15 Mar 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/15/wgar-news-greens-senator-rachel-siewe...
'Australian Greens Dissenting Report' included as part of the Senate Inquiry into Stronger Futures Report (14 Mar 12)
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committee...
- Media Releases
National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples:
Response to Senate Committee Report on New NT Laws
http://nationalcongress.com.au/response-to-senate-committee-report-on-ne...
15 Mar 12: "The National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples says much of the detailed content of many submissions to the NT laws inquiry has been ignored and disrespected in the Committee’s report.
The Congress Co-Chairs say the Committee’s report contains minor and superficial recommendations but that many solutions offered by communities in the areas of governance, alcohol management and education have been ignored.
"A key message for Congress in attending the hearings in the NT was the erosion of trust and the lack of understanding of what Government is doing and why, " said Congress Co-Chair, Jody Broun.
"That the Committee recommends the laws be reviewed within five years of commencement - instead of ten - is in recognition of this fact," she said.
"However, Congress called for these bills to be tested for Human Rights compliance accordance with the new Parliamentary Scrutiny (Human Rights) Act and there is no mention of that in this report," said Co-Chair, Les Malezer.
"As a result the Human Rights criticisms of these laws have not been adequately addressed. ... ""
ANTaR - Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation:
Senate Committee Approves Stronger Futures Despite Growing Opposition
http://www.antar.org.au/senate_committee_approves_stronger_futures_despi...
"The Senate Committee charged with reviewing the Stronger Futures Bills has supported the passage of the controversial legislation despite widespread community concern about its coercive measures.
"ANTaR is very concerned that community support for these far-reaching and long-term measures has not been obtained. In the absence of consent, these bills must be withdrawn," said Jacqueline Phillips, ANTaR National Director.
"Despite strong public opposition, the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee last night delivered a majority report which supported passage of the Stronger Futures bills with only minor amendments." ...
"The minor changes proposed by the Committee will not correct the serious flaws in the consultation process.""
See: ANTaR’s submission to the Inquiry: http://bit.ly/ANTaRStrongerFuturesSubmission
Uniting Justice Australia: Church Disappointed by Senate Report into Flawed Stronger Futures Legislation
http://www.unitingjustice.org.au/justice-for-indigenous-australians/news...
15 Mar 12: "The Uniting Church in Australia today expressed its disappointment in the Senate Report into the Stronger Futures Legislation.
General Secretary of the Northern Synod, Mr Peter Jones, who appeared at the Darwin hearings for the Senate Inquiry, expressed his concern over the harsh and disempowering legislation that the Senate Report supports.
"Since day one of the Intervention, we have seen the dismal failure of top-down approaches to addressing the real problems of Indigenous disadvantage. The pain and shame in Northern Territory Aboriginal communities has been exacerbated by the Government’s unwillingness to enter into true partnership with our Indigenous brothers and sisters," said Mr Jones."
See: Uniting Justice submission to the Inquiry: http://www.unitingjustice.org.au/justice-for-indigenous-australians/subm...
Australian Council of Social Service: Don’t extend a flawed and uproven NT Intervention model
http://www.acoss.org.au/media/release/dont_extend_a_flawed_and_uproven_n...
15 Mar 12: "The Australian Council of Social Service has today called on the Commonwealth Government not to extend the flawed and unproven Northern Territory Intervention model, and instead to engage with local communities to put in place lasting solutions.
"There’s no doubt that opposition is mounting for the Federal Government, both to the extension of compulsory income management and social security payment suspensions where children don’t attend school," said Dr Cassandra Goldie, ACOSS CEO.
"The overwhelming majority of submissions to the Senate Community Affairs Committee Inquiry, and the reports from all parties represented on the Committee recommended that the legislation not be passed in its present form.
"Peak Aboriginal organisations and ACOSS expressed concern about the draft Stronger Futures law to give power to the Minister to extend compulsory income management referrals from (un-named) state and territory authorities ... "
Greens Rachel Siewert: End Bankstown trial of income management and consult with locals
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/end-bankst...
15 Mar 12: "The Australian Greens have vowed to oppose the Bankstown trial of income management following last night's release of the Senate Inquiry into the Stronger Futures legislation report and evidence given to the committee questioning whether the government consulted with locals before announcing the Bankstown trial.
Bankstown is one of five locations nationally where the government is set to trial compulsory income management from 1 July 2012.
Greens Senator and spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues Rachel Siewert said: ""The Australian Greens strongly oppose the continuation of compulsory income management in the NT and its expansion to five trial sites, including Bankstown.
"The Senate Inquiry into the Stronger Futures bills received a number of submissions pointing to a lack of evidence that income management leads to better outcomes or improved ability to budget. ... "
- Analysis / Opinion
Stronger Futures Legislation Is Disempowering, Damaging And Doomed To Fail
Indigenous Peoples: http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=art...
14 Mar 12: "Proposed legislation to extend the Federal Government’s Northern Territory Intervention measures will undermine democracy, further damage the government’s relationship with Aboriginal peoples and be ineffective in addressing Aboriginal disadvantage, says the Human Rights Law Centre. "The Stronger Futures measures are highly likely to be ineffective in achieving the Federal Government’s objective of Closing the Gap and improving the lives of Aboriginal peoples," said Ben Schokman of the Human Rights Law Centre."
- Video
YouTube: ALP takes softer approach to NT Intervention
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWXfEIsIUUw&list=UUVgO39Bk5sMo66-6o6Spn6Q...
14 Mar 12: "The Federal Government has revealed its latest incarnation of the federal intervention into remote Aboriginal communities in the Territory."
- News
National Indigenous Times: Leaders prepare for the worst on eve of Senate report
http://www.nit.com.au/your-say.html
17 Mar 12: "Rosalie Kunoth-Monks may renounce her Order of Australia, handing back the medals to the Federal Government in protest, Maurie Japarta Ryan has called on Aboriginal nations to secede from the Commonwealth and a petition opposed to the legislation has attracted more than 5000 signatures as the calls for the Australian Senate to reject the legislation extending the Northern Territory Intervention continued on the eve of a Senate inquiry report into the legislation being released. The Senate inquiry report was due to be tabled in the Senate on Tuesday night."
National Indigenous Radio Service: Church group opposes Stronger Futures
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7040-church-group-opposes-strong...
16 Mar 12: "The Uniting Church in Australia today expressed its disappointment in the Senate report into the Stronger Futures Legislation. Peter Jones, General Secretary of the Northern Synod, expressed his concern over the harsh and disempowering legislation that the Senate report supports. Mr. Jones says the pain and shame in Northern Territory Aboriginal communities has been exacerbated by the Government's unwillingness to enter into true partnership with Indigenous people."
National Indigenous Radio Service: Federal Government defends Stronger Futures legislations
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7043-federal-government-defends-...
16 Mar 12: "The Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin says claims that the Government failed to consult widely enough on its Stronger Futures legislation are unjustified. The laws propose extending many of the measures of the Northern Territory Intervention into Indigenous communities for the next 10 years. Many community leaders say the consultation period was too short and many people couldn't take part because of language barriers."
ABC: Senate inquiry call for Stronger Futures changes
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-15/strong-futures-law-senate-inquiry-...
15 Mar 12: "A Senate inquiry into the new version of the Northern Territory Intervention has recommended the Government improve public reporting and engagement with Aboriginal people. The inquiry was considering the Government's proposed Stronger Futures laws, which alter some aspects of the Northern Territory Emergency Response. The inquiry made 11 recommendations, which include releasing more information about a trial linking school attendance with welfare payments, and improving the way the Government consults Aboriginal people."
9 News: NT intervention report findings slammed
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8435730/nt-intervention-report-findi...
15 Mar 12: "Indigenous and welfare groups have attacked the findings of a Senate inquiry into a 10-year extension of the Northern Territory intervention. Labor legislation before the upper house continues the Howard government's initial intervention in 2007. The draft laws include alcohol restrictions and a controversial program that cuts the welfare payments of parents whose kids skip school. National Congress of Australia's First People spokeswoman Jody Broun said many submissions to the inquiry had been ignored and disrespected in the inquiry's report."
Koori Mail: Congress slams Senate report as superficial
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
15 Mar 12: "THE National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples has accused a Senate committee of ignoring and disrespecting much of the detailed content contained in submissions to the recent inquiry into the proposed Stronger Futures legislation for the Northern Territory. Co-chairs Jody Broun and Les Malezer said it appeared that submissions had been ‘cherry-picked’ to build a case for the continuation of the intervention, and that there was no mention of Congress calls for the bills to be tested for Human Rights compliance."
Koori Mail: AMSANT calls for intervention resources pledge
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
15 Mar 12: "THE Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory has called on Government and Opposition parties to give an assurance that they would maintain, for the next decade, the extra resources required to improve health care, education, policing, job creation and housing as a result of continuation of the Northern Territory intervention. AMSANT chief executive John Paterson said the Senate Community Affairs Committee had 'failed to get to the guts of what is needed out of Stronger Futures - and that is how it is going to be resourced'."
Koori Mail: Greens dissent on Senate intervention report
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
15 Mar 12: "APART from the Australian Greens, all Senators who took part in an inquiry into the Federal Government’s proposed Stronger Futures legislation, which would extend the Northern Territory intervention, have backed the bills albeit with recommendations to improve future consultations, and to re-evalute the measures in five years, instead of seven. The Senate Community Affairs Committee, made up of Government and Coalition Senators, tabled its report on Wednesday evening, with only Greens Senator Rachel Siewert writing a dissenting report calling for the scrapping of the bills entirely."
See: 'Australian Greens Dissenting Report' included as part of the Senate Inquiry into Stronger Futures Report (14 Mar 12)
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committee...
9 News: 10 year NT intervention necessary: Macklin
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8435593/10-year-nt-intervention-nece...
15 Mar 12: "Problems in Aboriginal communities are so entrenched a 10-year extension of the Northern Territory intervention is needed, the federal government says. Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin has dismissed suggestions that five years of measures have failed already. "I think it demonstrates just how entrenched the problems are," she told ABC Radio on Thursday. "(Aboriginal people) don't want us chopping and changing, they want some stability, they want to know the laws, the protections and the supports that we will put in place.""
* GREG BARNS: "POLITICIANS RULING BY STEALTH AS WILFUL IGNORANCE IS ALLOWED TO FLOURISH":
- Analysis / Opinion
SMH: Politicians ruling by stealth as wilful ignorance is allowed to flourish
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/politicians-ruling-by-stealth-as-...
16 Mar 12: "On Monday, February 27, the day of the Rudd leadership challenge, the House of Representatives briefly debated and passed laws to continue many of the measures of the Northern Territory intervention, despite the fact that a Senate report on the legislation was not released until this week. But what is the point of holding a consultation if the results from that report are not used to inform parliamentarians before they vote? What is more, the legislation was only voted on by a sparse number of MPs occupying the lower house at the time." Greg Barns, National president of the Australian Lawyers Alliance
* PADDY GIBSON: "CHORUS OF OPPOSITION GREETS MACKLIN'S EXTENDED INTERVENTION":
- News
Solidarity: Chorus of opposition greets Macklin’s extended Intervention
http://www.solidarity.net.au/43/chorus-of-opposition-greets-macklins-ext...
March 2012: "On Monday February 27, in the afternoon following Labor’s leadership spill, Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory legislation passed through the House of Representatives with Labor and Liberal support. These laws will extend the disastrous Northern Territory Intervention for a further ten years and give the government increased powers to expand income management around the country. When Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin introduced the bill, she was speaking to an empty chamber. None of the politicians even bothered to turn up for a debate." Paddy Gibson
* CLC: "NEW WASTE DUMP LEGISLATION FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED":
See:
WGAR News: Nuclear waste dump laws pass the Senate (14 Mar 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/14/wgar-news-28-leading-australians-call...
WGAR News: Maurice Blackburn lawyers: "New Federal laws on nuclear waste have no impact on Muckaty legal challenge" (15 Mar 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/15/wgar-news-greens-senator-rachel-siewe...
- Media Release
Central Land Council (CLC): New waste dump legislation fundamentally flawed
http://www.clc.org.au/media-releases/article/new-waste-dump-legislation-...
14 Mar 12: "The Central Land Council (CLC) today expressed profound disappointment that the Senate yesterday passed the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010.
The CLC has repeatedly raised serious concerns about this legislation which allows the Commonwealth Government to continue to override many important considerations in the selection of a site for a radioactive waste facility, and has condemned the legislation as fundamentally flawed.
"This legislation retains many of the provisions that are in the old Act (Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act 2005)," CLC Director, David Ross said. "It seeks to find a politically expedient solution, shows contempt for state and Territory laws, and a disregard for decision making processes enshrined in the Land Rights Act." ... "
See:
YouTube: Muckaty Voices-Australia's nuclear waste dump story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcuNpT84Ovo
Beyond Nuclear Initiative:
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.com/
Australian Conservation Foundation: Muckaty radioactive dump:
http://www.acfonline.org.au/be-informed/northern-australia-nuclear/mucka...
Nuclear Territory News: Waste Dump News
http://ntne.ws/articles/article.php?section=waste
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...
Vimeo: Nuclear Medicine & the need for a Waste Dump?
http://vimeo.com/29971907
* UN DAY FOR ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
- WED 21 MARCH 2012:
- Upcoming events
Event: Wed 21 March 2012: various locations internationally
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Event details: http://www.un.org/en/events/racialdiscriminationday/
Let's Fight Racism!: http://www.un.org/en/letsfightracism/
Event: Wed 21 March 2012: Sydney, NSW
Protest second intervention and deaths in custody on
UN day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Speakers include:
* Nicole Watson
* Ray Jackson
* Patricia Morton-Thomas
Event details: http://stoptheintervention.org/#21March
Poster: http://stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/Past%20Events/N...
* NATIONAL CLOSE THE GAP DAY
- THU 22 MARCH 2012:
- Upcoming events
Event: Thu 22 March 2012: various locations across Australia
National Close the Gap Day
"National Close the Gap Day (NCTGD) is a way
for all Australians to join together and remind our
political leaders of their commitments to close
the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and
non-Indigenous Australians within a generation.
Our focus for 2012 is on the need for genuine,
meaningful partnership with Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander health peoples at all
stages of health planning and delivery."
Event details: http://www.oxfam.org.au/act/events/national-close-the-gap-day/
Attend a Close the Gap event
(various dates and locations throughout March 2012): http://webfw.oxfam.org.au/act/events/close-the-gap-day/attend
NIRS news: http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/6996-smaller-communities-want-ac...
* MESSAGE STICKS FESTIVAL 2012 - SYDNEY
- Upcoming Aboriginal Rights events
Event: Thu 29 March 2012: Sydney, NSW
Our Generation Film Screening
Part of Message Sticks Festival 2012
Discussion with Damien Curtis, Jeff McMullen,
Alec Doomadgee, Rosealee Pearson and John Pilger
Event details: http://ideas.sydneyoperahouse.com/upcoming-events/
Event details: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/Message_sticks/highlights.aspx
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/
Event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/50368
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews
Event: Fri 30 March 2012: Sydney, NSW
Tent Embassy & Identity
Part of Message Sticks Festival 2012
Film: Ningla A-Na
Discussion with Gary Foley and Larissa Behrendt
Event details: http://ideas.sydneyoperahouse.com/upcoming-events/
Event details: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/Message_sticks/highlights.aspx
Event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/50368
Event: Sat 31 March 2012: Sydney, NSW
What's the Fuss in the Kimberley?
Part of Message Sticks Festival 2012
Film: Old Country New Country
Q&A with George Negus Stephen Pigram,
Mitch Torres and Albert Wiggan
Event details: http://ideas.sydneyoperahouse.com/upcoming-events/
Event details: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/Message_sticks/highlights.aspx
* 'OUR GENERATION' FILM SCREENINGS - MELBOURNE, SYDNEY & NSW:
- Upcoming events
Event: Wed 21 March 2012: Broadmeadows, Vic
Our Generation - Free Film Screening
"If you have an interest in Amnesty International
and Indigenous issues, come along to our
free film screening and find out more about
what we are doing to defend the rights of
Indigenous Peoples."
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/vic/event/28046/
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews
Event: 22 March 2012: Waratah, NSW
Our Generation Film Screening
Hosted by the Ethnic Communities Council
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/screenings
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews
Event: Thu 29 March 2012: Sydney, NSW
Our Generation Film Screening
Part of Message Sticks Festival 2012
Discussion with Damien Curtis, Jeff McMullen,
Alec Doomadgee, Rosealee Pearson and John Pilger
Event details: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/Message_sticks/highlights.aspx
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/screenings
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews
Event: 3 April 2012: Wollongong, NSW
Our Generation Film Screening
Hosted by University of Wollongong Enviro Collective
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/screenings
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews
Event: Wed 18 April 2012: Parramatta, Sydney, NSW
Free Public Screening of Our Generation
Introduction and Q&A by Jeff McMullen AM
Hosted by Reconciliation for Western Sydney
Event details: http://stoptheintervention.org/#OurGen
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/screenings
Poster: http://stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/Facts-Info-Our-...
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews
Event: Sun 6 May 2012: Sydney, NSW
Our Generation Film Screening
Followed by Q&A with:
Dr Jeff McMullen
and Dr Thalia Anthony
Part of Sydney Greek Festival 2012
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/screenings
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews
- '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
* MORE 'STRONGER FUTURES' LEGISLATION RELATED ARTICLES:
- Media Release
Rachel Siewert: Greens speak out against ‘offensive and untrue’ claims about Stronger Futures
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/greens-spe...
16 Mar 12: "The Australian Greens have condemned attempts to mislead organisations into supporting the Stronger Futures legislation, which extends and expands the NT Intervention.
"A campaign appears to have started, presumably with the backing of the Government, to imply that by not supporting Stronger Futures, the Greens are opposing the ongoing funding of essential services in the NT- including services for primary health," Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
"Regardless of where it originated, this campaign is offensive and it is untrue.
"Organisations appear to have been told this and are clearly being misled.
"There is no reason that funding for community programs and resources, including those for primary health, cannot continue in the absence of the Stronger Futures legislation or if Stronger Futures has a shorter sunset clause of five years. ... "
- News
National Indigenous Times: Damning report rejects Macklin’s NT consultation
http://www.nit.com.au/news/741-damning-report-rejects-macklins-nt-consul...
17 Mar 12: "A report released last week by former Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser has provided damning evidence the Federal Government's Indigenous Affairs Minister, Jenny Macklin did not receive community support for a 10 year extension to the Northern Territory Intervention during her department's consultation meetings with communities. The report, titled Listening but not Hearing, was prepared by former Chief... "
* BACKGROUND TO 'STRONGER FUTURES' NEW NT INTERVENTION LAWS:
Human Rights Petition: Australian Government: Stop Stronger Futures and support Aboriginal self-determination in the NT
https://www.change.org/petitions/australian-government-stop-stronger-fut...
Stand for Freedom: There can be no reconciliation without justice:
http://standforfreedom.org.au/
Stop the Intervention: Stronger Futures: New compilation weblink -Petition -NITV Forum
http://www.stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/Facts-Info/...
Stop the Intervention: Stronger Futures Legislation
http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/stronger-futures-legislation
Stop the Intervention: Stronger Futures Media Coverage
http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/stronger-futures-legislation/#Media-SF
WGAR News: Greens Senator Rachel Siewert provides an overview: "Ending the NT Intervention" (15 Mar 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/15/wgar-news-greens-senator-rachel-siewe...
WGAR News: Senate Inquiry into Stronger Futures releases it's report (15 Mar 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/15/wgar-news-greens-senator-rachel-siewe...
WGAR News: 28 Leading Australians call on Government to abandon the Stronger Futures legislation (14 Mar 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/14/wgar-news-28-leading-australians-call...
WGAR News: "Hear the Voice of the People!": Video of Senate Hearing at Maningrida 22 February 2012 (13 Mar 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/13/wgar-news-hear-the-voice-of-the-peopl...
WGAR News: New report into 'Stronger Futures' consultations by Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning, UTS (9 Mar 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/09/wgar-news-new-report-into-stronger-fu...
[New university report entitled 'Listening but not Hearing']
WGAR News: Former PM Malcolm Fraser launches new report into consultations (9 Mar 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/09/wgar-news-new-report-into-stronger-fu...
WGAR News: Our Generation and ANTaR have launched a new video and campaign (8 Mar 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/08/wgar-news-our-generation-and-antar-ha...
WGAR News: NITV Current Affairs present the Stronger Futures Forum shot on location in Maningrida (3 Mar 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/03/wgar-news-nitv-current-affairs-presen...
WGAR News: Press Conference on Stronger Futures legislation by Hon. Alastair Nicholson AO RFD QC (1 Mar 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/01/wgar-news-press-conference-on-stronge...
WGAR News: "NT Aboriginal leaders reject Stronger Futures" Tracker (23 Feb 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/02/23/wgar-news-nyoongar-tent-embassy-march...
WGAR News: New Website for Stronger Futures info and submissions (21 Feb 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/02/21/wgar-news-news-of-the-nyoongar-tent-e...
WGAR News: Book report launched: "NT Consultations Report 2011: By Quotations" (19 Feb 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/02/19/wgar-news-book-report-launched-nt-con...
[Includes link to transcripts of consultations and book of quotations: http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/ ]
WGAR News: More on the Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Bill (9 Feb 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/02/09/wgar-news-tent-embassy-protest-interv...
WGAR News: Submissions received on Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Bill (8 Feb 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/02/08/wgar-news-four-actions-to-help-stop-t...
Main Government page for Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Bill 2011 and two related bills:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committee...
Direct Government link to view all uploaded submissions
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committee...
Direct Government link to view all uploaded hearing info
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committee...
* OTHER NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION ARTICLES:
- Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News - 16.3.12
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-16-3-12
16 Mar 12: "According to the Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Indigenous Policy, Adam Giles Aboriginal people who were meant to receive accredited training under the Gillard Labour Governments SIHIP Housing Program were only given menial tasks such as collecting rubbish and cleaning up."
- News
Canberra Times: Jail fears rise over drink law change
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/jail-fears-rise-o...
16 Mar 12: "THE rate of indigenous imprisonment in the Northern Territory jumped 10 per cent last year, according to data released yesterday. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures were released as Federal Parliament considers introducing harsher penalties for possessing alcohol in dry indigenous communities in the territory. The proposals have sparked concerns they could exacerbate the already alarming rates of Aborigines in jail."
Crikey: A (big, blue) sign of the times for NT Intervention
http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/03/15/a-big-blue-sign-of-the-times-for-nt-...
15 Mar 12: "On Tuesday night the Darwin City Council — in its last meeting before the local government elections later this month — considered a letter from Dave Chalmers, state manager of the federal Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs’ NT state office, with the seemingly innocuous subject of "highway and community signs"."
ABC Indigenous: Worth of Indigenous housing jobs questioned
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-15/sihip-indigenous-jobs-questioned/3...
15 Mar 12: "A Northern Territory politician is calling for an investigation of Indigenous employment in a $1.7 billion dollar housing project. The Federally-funded Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Project (SIHIP) was partially designed to provide trade training and employment for Aboriginal people. Territory Opposition spokesman for Indigenous policy Adam Giles says staff in Alice Springs were told they would learn a trade but were used to pick up rubbish and clean up after contractors."
* BACKGROUND TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION:
Creative Spirits: Northern Territory Emergence Response (NTER) - "The Intervention": http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/politics/northern-terr...
The Greens: Rachel Siewert: Ending the NT Intervention: http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/ntintervention
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/portfolios/aboriginal-torres-stra...
Stand for Freedom: There can be no reconciliation without justice: http://standforfreedom.org.au/
Crikey - NT Intervention: http://www.crikey.com.au/topic/nt-intervention/
STICS (Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney): http://stoptheintervention.org/
'concerned Australians': Without Justice there can be no Reconciliation: http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/
Tracker - NT Intervention: http://tracker.org.au/tag/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
CAAMA (Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association) - NT Intervention: http://caama.com.au/?s=NT+Intervention
Our Generation: http://ourgeneration.org.au/
New Matilda - northern territory intervention: http://newmatilda.com/tag/northern-territory-intervention
Darwin Aboriginal Rights Coalition: http://darwinaboriginalrights.wordpress.com/
Equality Rights Alliance: Women's Experience of Income Management in the Northern Territory: http://www.equalityrightsalliance.org.au/projects/womens-experience-inco...
ANTaR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation) - NT intervention: http://www.antar.org.au/issues_and_campaigns/nt_intervention
MAIC (Melbourne Anti-Intervention Collective): http://maicollective.blogspot.com/
The Conversation - After the Intervention: http://theconversation.edu.au/pages/after-the-intervention
Australian Human Rights Commission: Northern Territory ‘Emergency Response' intervention: http://www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice/intervention/index.html
Jobs with Justice: http://jobswithjustice.wordpress.com/
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/
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
Adelaide Stop the Intervention: http://www.stoptheintervention.com.au/
Central Land Council: The Australian Government Intervention 2007: http://www.clc.org.au/Media/issues/intervention/intervention_intro.html
WGAR (Working Group for Aboriginal Rights): http://wgar.wordpress.com/
* OTHER ARTICLES:
- Slide Show
Green Left: Protest says close the gap, not the school
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/50376
16 Mar 12: "Photos by Ali Bakhtiavandi. Activists in Melbourne rallied on March 16 to save Ballerrt Mooroop College, Melbourne’s only Aboriginal specialist school. In the past fortnight, the education department expelled all the students, demolished some school buildings and is now claiming the school is "unviable". ...
Further actions are planned this week. For campaign updates, please visit http://ballerrtmooroop.org "
- Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
Jody Shares the National Congress’ vision for 2012
http://caama.com.au/jody-shares-the-national-congress%E2%80%99-vision-fo...
15 Mar 12: "Jody Broun, the Co-Chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples speaks to Nerida Currey on Strong Voices… She shares the Congress’ vision and goals for 2012, what’s coming up for them this year…and what she thinks the biggest issues are for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to focus on from now."
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News - 15.3.12
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-15-3-12
15 Mar 12: "A court case decision which could impact on the location of australia’s first nuclear waste dump at Muckatty near TennantCreek in the Northern Terrritory has not been made……but the Government has still protected Muckatty from being challenged as the nominated site according to the lawyer acting on behalf of local traditional owners opposed to the site being located on their land."
- Analysis / Opinion
National Indigenous Times: It’s a vicious circle: Indigenous youths and the justice system
http://www.nit.com.au/opinion/719-its-a-vicious-circle-indigenous-youths...
17 Mar 12: "Emma Purdy analyses some of the reasons behind the ongoing over-incarceration of Indigenous youths and their scandalous consequences. Peter Schultz sat alone in the paddy-wagon's cage as it drove even farther away from his hometown, wishing he was back with his parents. It was dark outside in outback Western Australia and he didn't know where he was. He was frightened. Peter was 12."
National Indigenous Times: Woomera Sovereignty Movement of Queensland
http://www.nit.com.au/opinion/680-woomera-sovereignty-movement-of-queens...
17 Mar 12: "As I drove the 2 hour long trek from my home base of Toowoomba to Brisbane on a wet, miserable day I wondered if many locals would brave the inclement weather to attend a public forum on the growing sovereignty movement. Sovereignty is a misunderstood word that can be interpreted as confronting and unpatriotic or a wholly inclusive and apt word for our mob's uncontested rights... "
- News
National Indigenous Times: After years of hard work, a bewildered Alice Moncrieff uncertain of next steps
http://www.nit.com.au/news/743-after-years-of-hard-work-a-bewildered-ali...
17 Mar 12: "After waiting years to be repaid for her decades of hard work, 83 year old Carnarvon woman, Alice Moncrieff does not know what the way forward is now following the $2000 compensation offer from the West Australian State Government. She is bewildered and now uncertain about whether she is even eligible to make a claim even... "
National Indigenous Times: Stolen wages insult
http://www.nit.com.au/news/742-stolen-wages-insult.html
17 Mar 12: "The Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia has reacted with anger at the $2000 compensation offer to victims of Stolen Wages and advised all claimants to reject the offer and continue with planned court action to recover the money owed to them."
National Indigenous Times: Michael Anderson wows WA on the call for sovereignty
http://www.nit.com.au/news/739-michael-anderson-wows-wa-on-the-call-for-...
17 Mar 12: "The last remaining of the original four founders of Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra, academic and lawyer, Michael Anderson spent a week in Western Australia inspiring audiences with the call for sovereignty for Aboriginal peoples in a year he said is to be "a stand for justice"."
Green Left: Nyoongar Tent Embassy vows to stay put
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/50363
15 Mar 12: "Green Left Weekly’s Keith Westbrook visited Matagarup (Heirrison Island) in Perth on March 13 to talk to the Aboriginal protesters at the Nyoongar Tent Embassy about their fight for sovereignty and their campaign against the state Coalition government’s plan to extinguish native title rights in the southwest of Western Australia. Tent Embassy spokesperson Greg Martin’s comments are below."
Indymedia Australia: "Pay the Rent" - say Nyoongars - "Stronger Futures can go straight to hell"
https://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/15/pay-the-rent-say-nyoongars-stronger-...
15 Mar 12: "With the Stronger Futures debacle in the Australian Senate the following could not be more timely. Nyoongar rights advocate and CEO of Dumbartung Aboriginal Corporation, Robert Eggington has gathered together with several prominent Nyoongars, and a large number of the Nyoongar community, to announce their own Native Title proposals for the state government to consider. Mr Eggington will call for the 'rent to paid' to the Nyoongar peoples for the use of their land - 5% of the Gross Domestic Product of the south west and a suite of other priorities." Gerry Georgatos
9 News: NT Aboriginal elders send plea to GG
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8435925/nt-aboriginal-elders-send-pl...
15 Mar 12: "Traditional owners fighting off a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory have invited the Governor-General to Tennant Creek before she signs off on the legislation. The Senate passed laws on Tuesday that pave the way for medical, research and industrial waste to be stored at the Muckaty Station site 120 kilometres from Tennant Creek for hundreds of years. In a last ditch bid to stop the waste dump 27 traditional owners have written to Governor-General Quentin Bryce inviting her to the Top End to meet and discuss their concerns."
National Indigenous Radio Service: Selective consultation on Muckaty waste dump: Traditional owner claimant
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7039-selective-consultation-on-m...
15 Mar 12: "Penelope Phillips says the Government only consulted one purported traditional owner family out of a possible five and should have waited for the outcome of a Federal Court case to determine who the traditional owners of the land are. "And they just went ahead and asked that certain family group and that one certain group there. They never asked the other groups, they just went ahead with it. They never came and consulted those other four groups or the other individual people about the Muckaty region and no-one's been talking now and what's going to happen and all that. ... ""
ABC: Territory tops nation in sending people to jail
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-15/abs-prisoner-numbers-report/389239...
15 Mar 12: "The Bureau of Statistics says the Northern Territory still has the highest imprisonment rate in Australia. The figures are from the December quarter report on national corrective services, which was released today. ... The largest proportional increase in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander imprisonment rate from the December 2010 quarter was recorded in the Northern Territory (10 per cent) followed by Tasmania (5 per cent)."
Environment Centre NT: Territory staunch in opposition on waste dump despite Muckaty legislation passed in the Senate
http://www.ecnt.org/media/territory-staunch-opposition-waste-dump-despit...
13 Mar 12: "As the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill passes through the Senate today, the Environment Centre NT in Darwin and Arid Lands Environment Centre in Alice Springs will keep up the fight to oppose a nuclear waste dump in the Territory. "Canberra may now have its legislation, but we are more determined than ever to ensure a radioactive waste dump doesn't end up in the Territory" said Cat Beaton, Nuclear Free NT Campaigner at the ECNT."
Indymedia Australia: Aboriginal Political Party is born to fight injustice
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/09/aboriginal-political-party-is-born-to...
9 Mar 12: "The Aboriginal Political Party (APP) has been born in South Australia and it has based its first principle on fighting injustice. Leading the way are APP executive officers, Kaurna Elder, Lynette Crocker and Dr Dylan Coleman, the 2011 recipient of the Queensland Premier’s David Unaipon Indigenous Literary Award. On February 19, the 176th South Australian Letters Patent commemoration was held by the APP." Gerry Georgatos
* UPCOMING ABORIGINAL RIGHTS EVENTS AROUND AUSTRALIA - 27 EVENTS FROM 17 MARCH 2012:
Indymedia Australia: Upcoming Aboriginal rights events around Australia - 27 events from 17 March 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/17/upcoming-aboriginal-rights-events-aro...
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WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)
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