Newsletter date: 30 May 2012
Contents:
* Leaders and Custodians from Ampilatwatja Community Australia give their full support to Yolngu Nations Assembly
* ALA applauds stance of Indigenous Elders against racist 'Stronger Futures' legislation
* Jeff McMullen: Fight for the homelands
* Punch: An NT intervention policy coming to a suburb near you
* Video of Jeff McMullen talking about "Stand for Freedom" campaign
* Stand for Freedom: The Kit
* Background to 'Stronger Futures' new NT Intervention laws
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Sovereign Union Foundation [of interim National Unity Government] - Sound & Pictures
* Background to the Aboriginal sovereignty movement
* Gerry Georgatos: Woodside and the shire of Broome taken to the Supreme Court by Elder
* Gerry Georgatos: Walmandan Tent Embassy will stand in the way of Woodside attempts to damage their heritage
* Background to the Aboriginal tent embassies
* ABC Alice Springs: Muckaty protest enters sixth year
* Background to the proposed Muckaty nuclear waste dump
See:
WGAR News: Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement concerning 'Stronger Futures' laws and NT policies (4 May 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/04/wgar-news-yolngu-nations-assembly-sta...
WGAR News: Several organisations express support for the Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement (10 May 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/10/wgar-news-several-organisations-expre...
WGAR News: More organisations state support for the Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement (11 May 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/11/wgar-news-more-organisations-state-su...
Respect and Listen compilation:
http://www.respectandlisten.org/nt-intervention/stronger-futures.html
"Statements and Media Releases ... calling to abandon the Stronger Futures Legislation and supporting the Yolŋu Nations Assembly Statement"
[Includes additional statements by:
* Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney
* National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission (NATSIEC)
* Solidarity
* Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (WGAR)]
'concerned Australians' compilation:
Churches, Religious, Organisations and Reconciliation Groups
http://concernedaustralians.com.au/Stronger_Futures_Yolngu_supporters.html
"Calls to Abandon the Stronger Futures Legislation, and Calls to Support the Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement"
* LEADERS AND CUSTODIANS FROM AMPILATWATJA COMMUNITY AUSTRALIA GIVE THEIR FULL SUPPORT TO YOLNGU NATIONS ASSEMBLY
- Statement
Statement regarding Australian Federal Government Stronger Futures Bills and Northern Territory policies
'cA': http://concernedaustralians.com.au/media/stronger_futures_yolngu/Eastern...
24 May 12: "We the Leaders and Custodians from Ampilatwatja Community Australia give our full support to Yolŋuw Makarr Dhuni (Yolŋu Nations Assembly)
To our brothers and sisters of 8 nations in the Western, Central and East Arnhem Land areas of the Northern Territory: We say to you, we are with you and we will stand with you as one peoples against the Australian Federal Government Stronger Futures Bills and Northern Territory Policies.
We call on the Federal Government to scrap the Stronger Futures laws and return to full consultation, negotiations and agreements with our leaders and custodians in the Eastern Alyawarr Region to discuss a way forward in partnership, and that our peoples be involved at all levels of government in setting policies, programs on health, education, employment and training.
We as the true custodians, land owners and leaders now demand that the Federal, State and Territory governments must respect all human rights, and recognise and acknowledge our peoples rights as first Australians to make all decisions to determine our own future directions, to work and walk with us towards a better future for our peoples. ...
Richard Downs
Alyawarr spokesperson Eastern Region"
[Click on the above link to read the many more points made.]
- Related Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA NEWS 29-05
http://caama.com.au/caama-news-29-05
29 May 12: "A large group of Central Australian Aboriginal people have joined with their Top End brothers and sisters in Arnhem land to voice their ongoing opposition to the Gillard Labor governments proposed Stronger Futures Legislation."
- Related News
National Indigenous Radio Service: Scrap Stronger Futures: Alyawarr people
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7251-scrap-stronger-futures-alya...
29 May 12: "The Federal Government's proposed Stronger Future legislation continues to face criticism as Indigenous groups in the Northern Territory speak out against the bill. Alyawarr man Richard Downs says his people support the Yolngu Nations Assembly of Arnhem Land in their statement slamming human rights and land rights aspects of Stronger Futures. ...
"There's a blanket cover that was thrown right over the top of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory.
"We were stigmatised; all our controls and measures taken away, our permit system. ... ""
BigPond News: Indigenous group fights NT intervention
http://bigpondnews.com/articles/National/2012/05/27/Indigenous_group_fig...
27 May 12: "Aboriginal communities in central Australia have pledged to fight the federal government's Northern Territory intervention. ... Northeast of Alice Springs, Alyawarr homeland communities - including Lake Nash, Utopia and Ampilatwatja, covering 3500 people - have made their own pledge to fight the laws. 'We call on our people to reject any meetings or discussions with government-appointed bureaucrats, or representatives of government agencies on Stronger Futures laws,' spokesman Richard Downs said in a statement."
* ALA APPLAUDS STANCE OF INDIGENOUS ELDERS AGAINST RACIST 'STRONGER FUTURES' LEGISLATION:
Australian Lawyers Alliance: ALA applauds stance of Indigenous Elders against racist 'Stronger Futures' legislation
'cA': http://concernedaustralians.com.au/media/stronger_futures_yolngu/Austral...
21 May 12: "The Australian Lawyers Alliance applauds the bold stance of Indigenous elders in west and central Arnhem Land who are refusing to participate in land lease negotiations for mining exploration licences in revolt against the Federal Government’s Stronger Futures legislation.
"The ALA applauds the elders and community leaders in Arnhem Land who have written to the Prime Minister and the NT government. The Stronger Futures legislation breaches internationally recognised human rights under the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, of which Australia is a signatory.
The Federal Government is able to continue to flout such obligations because there is no federal Human Rights Act to uphold such responsibilities under Australian law," Australian Lawyers Alliance National President, Greg Barns, said. ...
Stronger Futures undermines legal entitlements within criminal law, privacy law, property law, consumer law, administrative law, discrimination law and human rights. ... "
[Click on the above link to read the many more points made.]
* JEFF McMULLEN: FIGHT FOR THE HOMELANDS
- Analysis / Opinion
agendaTracker: Fight for the homelands
http://tracker.org.au/2012/05/fight-for-the-homelands/
29 May 12: "NATIONAL: ... Traditional Owners across Arnhem Land will resist the federal government’s proposed 10-year extension of the Northern Territory Intervention by refusing to surrender Aboriginal land through 40 year leases. When the five-year leases imposed by the government’s declared Emergency end in August this year the most respected Aboriginal leaders across the Top End will not enter into any new land lease agreements until the draconian and discriminatory Stronger Futures legislation is shelved." Jeff McMullen, prominent Australian journalist, winner of the UN Media Peace Prize
* PUNCH: AN NT INTERVENTION POLICY COMING TO A SUBURB NEAR YOU
- News
Punch: An NT intervention policy coming to a suburb near you
http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/an-nt-intervention-policy-coming-to-...
29 May 12: "A controversial policy from the Northern Territory intervention has managed to get through the atrocious congestion on the M4 to arrive in Bankstown, in Sydney’s south-west. "Income management" is coming to the suburb - a cultural melting pot - in July. ... Bankstown is one of just five places where the Federal Government has chosen to roll the program out to a thousand people, ... But the opposition to it is particularly making a racket about it in Bankstown. Randa Kattan from the local Arab Council of Australia says the program is going to tarnish the suburb’s image." By Daniel Piotrowski
See:
Welcome to the campaign website of
Say No to Government’s Income Management: Not in Bankstown, Not Anywhere!
http://www.sayno2gim.info/
Stop the Intervention: Income Management
http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/income-management
* VIDEO OF JEFF McMULLEN TALKING ABOUT "STAND FOR FREEDOM" CAMPAIGN
- Video
Respect and Listen: Stand for Freedom - Jeff McMullen
http://www.respectandlisten.org/nt-intervention.html
"This video is an excerpt from the "Our Generation" screening in Sydney at the Customs House on Sunday, 6.05.2012. Jeff McMullen talks about the urgent need to join the "Stand for Freedom" campaign against the "Stronger Futures" policy.
To view the complete speech please click here [ http://vimeo.com/42835391 ]
This screening was part of the 30th Greek Festival of Sydney ( http://www.greekfestivalofsydney.com.au/festival12/events/event_our_gene... )
For more information please visit:
http://www.standforfreedom.org.au/
http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/ "
* STAND FOR FREEDOM: THE KIT
- Action
Stand for Freedom: The Kit
http://standforfreedom.org.au/the-kit/
"We believe that the oppression of Aboriginal rights in the Northern Territory is Australia’s Kony. ...
Inspired by the techniques of the Kony 2012 movement, we have developed an action kit for people to spread the word about the campaign in their own communities. We don’t have much time. On 18th June, the legislation comes back before the Senate and may be voted on any time after that. Our ambition, which we invite you to share and realise with us, is to splash the campaign across the country and reach 100,000 petition signatures before 18th June. Together, we can reach the tipping point."
- Related Actions
Stand for Freedom - Take Action
http://standforfreedom.org.au/take-action/
"The Stronger Futures legislation is opposed by Aboriginal people across the Northern Territory and civil society across the nation. We need to generate a mass movement to make the Government listen to their concerns. That Aboriginal people have the right to control their own futures; that freedom is the right of ALL Australians.
Let’s come together and stop Stronger Futures! ... "
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...
Amnesty International Australia: Tell your Senators: scrap Stronger Futures
http://www.amnesty.org.au/action/action/28676/
"Stronger Futures is a package of legislation before the Senate that will extend some of the most controversial elements of the Northern Territory Intervention for the next decade - stripping Aboriginal people of their dignity, and taking away their right to control their own lives. ...
Write to your Senators today and tell them to scrap Stronger Futures ... Let's send a clear message to politicians that it's time to listen."
UnitingJustice Australia: Stronger Futures Call to Action
http://www.unitingjustice.org.au/justice-for-indigenous-australians/info...
"The Stronger Futures debate in Parliament will resume 18th June. This gives us a few more weeks to voice our opposition to the introduction of the legislation. ...
If passed, some of the discriminatory measures that would be introduced through the Stronger Futures legislation include: ...
You can download the Call to Action Kit which includes: background material on the Stronger Futures legislation; advocacy strategies; information postcards to distribute; and a form letter to complete and send to politicians."
* BACKGROUND TO 'STRONGER FUTURES' NEW NT INTERVENTION LAWS:
Last updated: 28 May 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-stronger-futures-new-nt...
* BACKGROUND TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION:
Last updated: 24 May 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-northern-territory-...
* SOVEREIGN UNION FOUNDATION [OF INTERIM NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT] - SOUND & PICTURES:
- Audio and Photos
Sovereign Union: Sovereign Union Foundation [of interim National Unity Government] - Sound & Pictures
http://nationalunitygovernment.org/content/sovereign-union-foundation-so...
"* Welcome to country - Opening ceremony of the First Official Meeting by Roy "Dootch" Kennedy
* The first National Assembly of Nations is a key moment in history - "The Last Stand" - Michael Anderson
* Aunty Barbara Nicholson - Native title is "...the last drink at the poisoned water hole."
* Wayne 'Coco' Wharton introduction - "We bring a story of Sovereignty"
* "We ran the country once and we can run the country again" - Wayne 'Coco' Wharton
* "We need a game plan" - Wayne 'Coco' Wharton (includes background on ACTU support)
* "We've got to be able to grow - let the Embassies grow all around the country." - Wayne 'Coco' Wharton"
* "Constitutional reform is a furphy - This is real reform" - Wayne 'Coco' Wharton"
See:
WGAR News: "Sovereign Union - interim National Unity Government has now been officially formed." (28 May 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/28/wgar-news-sovereign-union-interim-nat...
- Related News
National Indigenous Radio Service: Delegates sign for Indigenous sovereignty
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7249-delegates-sign-for-indigeno...
29 May 12: "Aboriginal rights campaigner Michael Anderson says the grassroots movement towards Aboriginal sovereignty is now a step forward with the signing of an Act of Sovereign Union. A meeting was held last week between Indigenous delegates from around Australia in Wollongong and Mr. Anderson says about 63 nations were represented. ... He says the signing of the represents a move that hasn't been made before.
"This one here is our charter. It's an Aboriginal organisation that's now organically grown and continuing to grow right throughout this country.
"So, it's very different from ATSIC and those previous organisations.""
- Related Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA News 28-05
http://caama.com.au/caama-news-28-05
28 May 12: "Aboriginal delegates from across the continent gathered late last week to confirm plans to form a National Government of the Sovereign Union of First Nations Peoples in Australia."
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA NEWS 29-05
http://caama.com.au/caama-news-29-05
29 May 12: "A university based academic and expert in the field of law and justice says he believes Australia could lead the international community toward a new way of acknowledging indigenous rights"
* BACKGROUND TO THE ABORIGINAL SOVEREIGNTY MOVEMENT:
Last updated: 29 May 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-aboriginal-sovereig...
* GERRY GEORGATOS: WOODSIDE AND THE SHIRE OF BROOME TAKEN TO THE SUPREME COURT BY ELDER
- News
Indymedia Australia: Woodside and the shire of Broome taken to the Supreme Court by Elder
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/29/woodside-and-the-shire-of-broome-take...
29 May 12: "Goolarabooloo man Richard Hunter, a Traditional Owner of James Price Point, has launched a civil suit in the Supreme Court against Woodside Petroleum. The Western Australian Environment Defenders Office (WAEDO) has launched the case on behalf of Mr Hunter. WAEDO on Monday May 28 wrote to Woodside and the shire of Broome to stop all works at the James Price Point site. WAEDO has given Woodside 48 hours to cease the works otherwise it will seek a court injunction." By Gerry Georgatos
- Related News
Sovereign Union: Walmadan Sovereign Embassy elder takes Woodside to court
http://nationalunitygovernment.org/content/walmadan-sovereign-embassy-el...
"Original elder Richard Hunter launched a case today claiming the gas hub approval process was not followed correctly by Woodside or the Shire of Broome at Walmadan (James Price Point) 60kms north of Broome, WA. Mr Hunter's lawyer, Josie Walker, says if this can be proved, the entire approval process could be deemed invalid. Meanwhile, despite considerable cultural, environmental, anthropological and community based objections, Woodsite contues to bulldoze sacred country."
newsTracker: Legal action launched over Woodside works
http://tracker.org.au/2012/05/legal-action-launched-over-woodside-works/
29 May 12: "Woodside Petroleum’s works on a proposed $30 billion Kimberley gas hub, where more than 100 riot police were shipped in recently to keep protesters away, may turn out to be illegal. The Western Australian Environmental Defender’s Office (EDO) on Monday launched a civil case in the Supreme Court challenging Woodside’s approvals for the preliminary works. The EDO’s action is on behalf of Goolarabooloo man Richard Hunter, a traditional owner of the James Price Point site, 60km north of Broome, where Woodside wants to build a major LNG processing plant."
Australian: Writ issued against gas plant
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/writ-iss...
29 May 12: "KIMBERLEY Aborigines opposed to Woodside's proposed $40 billion liquefied natrual gas precinct have launched new legal action in an attempt to stop the company gaining access to the site near Broome. A writ filed in Western Australia's Supreme Court yesterday calls for an immediate injunction on Woodside's work at the James Price Point site. Launched by Goolarabooloo law boss Richard Hunter, the writ against Woodside and the Shire of Broome alleges site approvals granted to the company in February are invalid."
ABC: Woodside in court over James Price Point works
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-28/woodside-in-court-over-james-price...
28 May 12: "Traditional land owners have taken Woodside to the Supreme Court to stop work at the site of the proposed Kimberley Gas Hub. Woodside maintains it has the necessary approvals to access James Price Point north of Broome, where ground works began last week. But Goolarabaloo man Richard Hunter launched a case today claiming the approval process was not followed correctly by Woodside or the Shire of Broome. Mr Hunter's lawyer, Josie Walker, says if this can be proved, the entire approval process could be deemed invalid."
WA today: Aboriginal law man files action to halt Browse works
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/aboriginal-law-man-files-action-to-hal...
28 May 12: "A Goolarabooloo man has launched legal proceedings against Australian oil and gas giant Woodside Petroleum in a bid to halt works at the controversial Kimberley site being considered for a $30 billion gas hub. Woodside are finalising engineering, site investigation and environmental studies before making a decision on the proposed Browse hub, a Woodside spokeswoman said in a statement. The Western Australia Environmental Defender's Office served Woodside and the Shire of Broome with papers today after filing action in the Supreme Court at Perth, ... "
- Related Audio Interviews
3CR Community Radio 855 AM - Podcasts
[scroll down page] http://www.3cr.org.au/podcast
Radioactive Show - 27 May 2012
[download this program] http://pod.3cr.org.au/pod/3CRCast-2012-05-26-68289.mp3
27 May 12: "Update on WA mining exploration in the Kimberley and at Wiluna. Features Nik Wevers from the Broome Community No Gas campaign; Mia Pepper from the Conservation Council of WA and Glen Cook, a senior lawman from Warburton."
See:
Sovereign Union: Walmadan Tent Embassy (James Price Point)
http://nationalunitygovernment.org/content/walmadan-tent-embassy-james-p...
[James Price Point, north of Broome, Kimberley Region, WA]
WGAR News: Gerry Georgatos: Police amassing at James Price Point (16 May 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/16/wgar-news-brisbane-city-council-to-tr...
[James Price Point, north of Broome, Kimberley Region, WA]
Hands off Country:
http://handsoffcountry.blogspot.com.au/
Facebook: Goolarabooloo and Lurujarri Heritage Trail
http://www.facebook.com/Goolarabooloo
Kimberley Campaigner:
http://www.kimberleycampaigner.com/
Save The Kimberley:
http://www.savethekimberley.com/
* GERRY GEORGATOS: WALMANDAN TENT EMBASSY WILL STAND IN THE WAY OF WOODSIDE ATTEMPTS TO DAMAGE THEIR HERITAGE
- News
Indymedia Australia: Walmandan Tent Embassy - young and old - will stand in the way of Woodside attempts to damage their heritage
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/29/walmandan-tent-embassy-young-and-old-...
29 May 12: "Walmandan Tent Embassy has held strong for near a year at James Price Point however after it was recently uncovered that Woodside Petroleum had applied for clearances to drill on Aboriginal sacred sites it is clear that tensions between Traditional Owners and the state government backed Woodside-led-joint-venture to build a gas hub will escalate to new heights. Goolarabooloo Senior Law Men Phillip and Joseph Roe, with family and community members are camped at Walmandan (the Goolarabooloo name for James Price Point). "Our family, young and old, will stand in the way of this work, we will stop it," said Mr Roe." By Gerry Georgatos
See:
Sovereign Union: Walmadan Tent Embassy (James Price Point)
http://nationalunitygovernment.org/content/walmadan-tent-embassy-james-p...
[James Price Point, north of Broome, Kimberley Region, WA]
* BACKGROUND TO THE ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSIES:
Last updated: 29 May 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-aboriginal-sovereig...
* ABC ALICE SPRINGS: MUCKATY PROTEST ENTERS SIXTH YEAR
- News and Photos
ABC Alice Springs: Muckaty protest enters sixth year
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/05/27/3511947.htm
27 May 12: "A remote Northern Territory cattle station remains in the spotlight as the fight against a national nuclear waste storage facility enters its sixth year. ... Regardless of the outcome, Yapa Yapa elder Dianne Stokes says she won't give up. "I don't care what they will do to us...they're not going to remove us unless we're going to die on the road." ... Dianne was one of a small group of around 60 who marched through Tennant Creek on Friday to mark the fifth anniversary of their protest. The march included local member for the Barkly, Gerry McCarthy and Aboriginal spokespeople ... "
* BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSED MUCKATY NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP:
Last updated: 28 May 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-proposed-muckaty-nu...
- - -
About WGAR News:
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/30/about-wgar-news-working-group-for-abo...
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'WGAR News' monitors the media, including alternative media, focusing on:
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WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)
WGAR Website: http://wgar.wordpress.com/