WGAR News: Even more organisations state support for the Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement

Newsletter date: 10 June 2012

Contents:
* ARDS welcomes the Yolngu Nations Assembly’s decision to reject the federal government’s Stronger Futures Bill
* CORE supports the Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement and calls on all Senators to vote against the Stronger Futures Bills
* UNOH: A statement of support for Yolngu Nations Assembly’s rejection of 'Stronger Futures' Bills
* HRLC Statement in support of the Yolnu Nations Assembly Statement
* ACSJC: "An alternative to the 'Stronger Futures' legislation must be found"
* Women’s Web Statement re Stronger Futures Legislation
* WILPF letter in support of Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement
* Resolutions carried by Stop Government Income Management in Bankstown & Everywhere
* Video: Paul Pholeros speaks on NT homelands
* More 'Stronger Futures' Legislation related articles
* Background to 'Stronger Futures' new NT Intervention laws
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention

See:

'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"

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 Further Statements from:
* Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney [STICS]
* National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission (NATSIEC)
* Solidarity]

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: 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: 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...

WGAR News: "Australia challenged at United Nations over NT laws" Statement of delegations to UN (21 May 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/21/wgar-news-australia-challenged-at-uni...
[Includes a few statements of support for the Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement.]

WGAR News: Ampilatwatja Community Leaders give their full support to Yolngu Nations Assembly (30 May 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/30/wgar-news-ampilatwatja-community-lead...

WGAR News: Stand for Freedom campaign calls for organisations to support the Yolngu Statement (2 Jun 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/06/02/wgar-news-stand-for-freedom-campaign-...
[Includes a few statements of support for the Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement.]

WGAR News: Still more organisations express support for the Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement (7 Jun 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/06/07/wgar-news-still-more-organisations-ex...

* ARDS WELCOMES THE YOLNGU NATIONS ASSEMBLY'S DECISION TO REJECT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S STRONGER FUTURES BILL:

- Statement

Aboriginal Resource and Development Services (ARDS)
'concerned Australians': http://concernedaustralians.com.au/media/stronger_futures_yolngu/Aborigi...
"Aboriginal Resource and Development Services (ARDS) welcomes the Yolŋu Nations Assembly’s decision to reject the federal government’s Stronger Futures Bill, and associated legislation.
ARDS develops and delivers programs and resources in partnership with communities and homelands across North East Arnhem Land, Darwin and other parts of the Northern Territory. Working in close collaboration with Yolŋu communities, we are committed to enabling Indigenous Australians to take control of their own lives and to find ways to continue to contribute to the on-going resilience and vitality of their communities and to the wider Australian nation.
Within this context, ARDS is concerned by the Federal government’s apparent commitment to passing the Stronger Futures legislation against the expressed and articulate wishes of Yolŋu communities.
Through our work, ARDS recognises the fundamental importance and use of Indigenous languages in Yolŋu communities. ... "

* CORE SUPPORTS THE YOLNGU NATIONS ASSEMBLY STATEMENT AND CALLS ON ALL SENATORS TO VOTE AGAINST THE STRONGER FUTURES BILLS:

- Statement

The Committee on Racial Equality (CORE)
'concerned Australians': http://concernedaustralians.com.au/media/stronger_futures_yolngu/Committ...
"The Committee on Racial Equality (CORE) is a Canberra-based group of citizens committed to support racial justice in Australia. We have met with Members of Parliament, public officials and Indigenous people involved in and affected by the N.T. Intervention. We seek to raise public awareness of the consequences of the Intervention and the proposed Stronger Futures Legislation on Indigenous communities.
We would like to add our voice to that of many organizations in support of the Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement, and call on all Senators to vote against the Stronger Futures Bills.
The Yolngu Statement confirms that the Government has not listened to the requests of the Yolngu and other 1st Australian peoples. ...
We ask the Government to base their policies on principles of partnership and self-determination in the spirit of international obligations Australia entered into when Australia signed the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples."

* UNOH: A STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR YOLNGU NATIONS ASSEMBLY'S REJECTION OF 'STRONGER FUTURES' BILLS

- Statement

Urban Neighbours of Hope: A statement of support for Yolŋu Nations Assembly’s rejection of 'Stronger Futures' Bills.
'concerned Australians': http://concernedaustralians.com.au/media/stronger_futures_yolngu/Urban_N...
5 Jun 12: "The members of Urban Neighbours of Hope (UNOH) wholeheartedly support the Statement made by Yolŋu Nations Assembly to the Australian Federal and Northern Territory Parliaments, calling on the Senate to discard the 'Stronger Futures' Bills in full.
We also endorse the call made by Yolŋu Nations Assembly for the Federal and Northern Territory Governments to 'end their interventionist policies and agendas, and return to a mindset of
partnership based on the principles of self-determination'.
In addition, UNOH would like to make a particular response of support for the last point of the Yolŋu Nations’ Statement regarding their deep and realistic concerns for the loss of their languages. Their fears are grounded in the new 'English only' policy which has been implemented by the NT Department of Education and Training for Indigenous children in remote communities. This policy defies their own testing that showed Bilingual schools (with only minimal systemic support) were still testing ahead of the 'English only' schools."

See:

Background to the use of Aboriginal languages in NT schools
Last updated: 5 June 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/05/background-to-the-use-of-aboriginal-l...

* HRLC STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE YOLNU NATIONS ASSEMBLY STATEMENT:

- Statement

Human Rights Law Centre: Statement in support of the Yolnu Nations Assembly Statement
'concerned Australians': http://concernedaustralians.com.au/media/stronger_futures_yolngu/Human_R...
8 Jun 12: "Proposed 'Stronger Futures' legislation continues to breach Australia’s international legal obligations and is doomed to fail.
The Human Rights Law Centre supports the statement of the Yolnu Nations Assembly rejecting the proposed Stronger Futures legislation and calling for Australian Governments to end their interventionist policies and support the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to participate meaningfully in decisions about matters which affect them.
The proposed Stronger Futures legislation, which largely continues the Federal Government’s Intervention into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the Northern Territory in 2007, does not redress ongoing concerns of non-compliance with Australia’s international human rights obligations."

* ACSJC: "AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE 'STRONGER FUTURES' LEGISLATION MUST BE FOUND"

- Statement

Australian Catholic Social Justice Council (ACSJC)
'concerned Australians': http://concernedaustralians.com.au/media/stronger_futures_yolngu/Austral...
7 Jun 12: "The Yolngu Nations are calling for a different approach to the one imposed upon their communities since 2007. They are calling on Government for a renewed commitment to a partnership characterised by genuine engagement and promoting equality in decision-making and self-determination.
An alternative to the 'Stronger Futures' legislation must be found - one that ensures the wellbeing of individuals and communities is achieved without undue social control or unwarranted interference; one that ensures public policies and programs engage and empower those who are directly affected."

* WOMEN'S WEB STATEMENT RE STRONGER FUTURES LEGISLATION:

- Statement

Women’s Web: Women's Stories - Women's Actions: Statement re Stronger Futures Legislation
'concerned Australians': http://concernedaustralians.com.au/media/stronger_futures_yolngu/Womens_...
"At Women’s Web Inc we wish to wholeheartedly support the Yolgnu Elders’ Statement as articulated by Women for Wik in their support for the Yolgnu Nations Assembly concerns. ...
The YNA are calling on the Federal and Territory Governments "...to end their interventionist policies and agendas, and return to a mindset of partnership based on the principles of Self-
Determination".
True and respectful partnerships, not top-down 'paternalistic' directives are the only way ahead ...
We urge you to give considered attention to the concerns raised in YNA statement ... "

* WILPF LETTER IN SUPPORT OF YOLNGU NATIONS ASSEMBLY STATEMENT:

- Letter

Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom:
WILPF letter in support of Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement
'concerned Australians': http://concernedaustralians.com.au/media/stronger_futures_yolngu/Womens_...
8 Jun 12: "To all Senators and MPs ... We support the Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement that calls for the Australian government to listen to their concerns and address them through consultation
and partnerships with the Aboriginal Elders of the various communities."

* RESOLUTIONS CARRIED BY STOP GOVERNMENT INCOME MANAGEMENT IN BANKSTOWN & EVERYWHERE:

- Resolutions

Facebook: Resolutions carried by the Stop Government Income Management in Bankstown & Everywhere
Bankstown Community & Unionist Seminar
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=379047862158737
4 Jun 12: "1. No to government income management ...
2. Solidarity with the Northern Territory ...
3. Action - Boycott government income management ...
Future actions:
1. Major demonstration Saturday June 16, 12pm at Paul Keating Park, Bankstown. ...
2. Training for workers ...
3. Action on the eve of the implementation ...
4. Vigil outside Centrelink for two weeks from Monday 2 July 2012. ...
5. Jason Clare MP ...
6. Media ...
7. Active support and resources ... "

* VIDEO: PAUL PHOLEROS SPEAKS ON NT HOMELANDS

- Video

Vimeo: Paul Pholeros at 'Amnesty in the Alehouse'
by Respect and Listen
http://vimeo.com/43178391
"Paul Pholeros (Health Habitat) speaks at the 'Amnesty in the Alehouse' panel discussion on NT homelands held at the Steyne Hotel, Manly on 2.5.2012."

See:

Respect and Listen’s Videos on Vimeo
http://vimeo.com/respectandlisten/videos

Respect and Listen
http://www.respectandlisten.org/

Respect and Listen: Yolŋu Nations Assembly Statement and Supporters
http://www.respectandlisten.org/nt-intervention/stronger-futures.html

* MORE 'STRONGER FUTURES' LEGISLATION RELATED ARTICLES:

- Analysis / Opinion

Crikey: A Cook’s tour of the numbers damns Stronger Futures legislation
http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/06/06/a-cooks-tour-of-the-numbers-damns-st...
6 Jun 12: "You’ll forgive Aboriginal people for not jumping over the moon today at the transit of Venus. One of the last times the Evening Star got between the Earth and Sun, it was used as the pretext for invasion. Ever a suspicious lot, the British had long wanted to claim the Great Southern Land for themselves, which they were sure existed thanks ... " By Chris Graham, managing editor of Tracker Magazine

- Media Release

Commonwealth Ombudsman: Ombudsman review leads to an overhaul of Income Management decision making
http://www.ombudsman.gov.au/media-releases/show/206
7 Jun 12: "The Department of Human Services’ (DHS) income management decision making has undergone significant revision and improvement in response to concerns identified during an Ombudsman review.
Acting Ombudsman Alison Larkins today released her office’s investigation report into two aspects of DHS’ income management decision making. The investigation examined decisions not to exempt a person from income management because they are financially vulnerable and decisions about applying income management to a person because they were considered vulnerable. The reviewed decisions had all been made between August 2010 and March 2011."

- News

Australian: Ombudsman slams Centrelink on NT income management decisions, communication
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/indigenous/ombudsman-sl...
8 Jun 12: "DECISIONS to put and keep thousands of people on income management in the Northern Territory were made outside the law, the commonwealth Ombudsman has found in a damning report. Acting Ombudsman Alison Larkins says Centrelink decision-making tools used to apply income management did not meet legislative requirements."

Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care:
SNAICC News: May 2012 SNAICC Newsletter - read all about it
http://www.snaicc.asn.au/news-events/fx-view-article.cfm?loadref=32&id=806
5 Jun 12: "In this issue: * Stronger Futures legislation widely opposed"
"SNAICC one of many voices against Stronger Futures legislation: SNAICC has joined a wide section of the community in expressing serious doubts about the Stronger Futures package of bills for Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory that, if passed, will extend the Australian Government’s intervention for 10 years."

Koori Mail: Tangentyere call for fair go
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
5 Jun 12: "THE Tangentyere Council in Alice Springs is urging Australians to unite in support of Aboriginal rights, saying proposed new legislation will further disempower Indigenous people. CEO Walter Shaw says plans to extend the NT Intervention has left Aboriginal people in Central Australia at breaking point. Legislation targeted at Aboriginal people was being introduced without their consent, he said."

CathNews: ERC supports Yolngu call for Senate to reject bills
http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=31677
5 Jun 12: "The Edmund Rice Centre supports the call of Yolngu Elders for the Stronger Futures Bills to be rejected by the Senate, it said in a media statement. This statement from the Yolngu Elders is a powerful claim of their right as First Peoples and as citizens of Australia to self-determination in their own country, ERC Director Phil Glendenning said. The best and only way forward is through genuine partnerships between Indingenous communities and all levels of Government."

See:

Edmund Rice Centre for Justice & Community Education:
Edmund Rice Centre supports call of Yolngu Elders: 'Stronger Futures Bills' should be rejected by Senate
CathNews: http://www.cathnews.com/uploads/doc/2012/06/ERC%20supports%20Yolngu%20el...

* BACKGROUND TO 'STRONGER FUTURES' NEW NT INTERVENTION LAWS:

Last updated: 8 June 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-...

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