Newsletter date: 30 June 2012
Contents:
* Greens MPs: NT wakes to sad news after Intervention laws pass the Senate
* Senate Hansard on Stronger Futures - Thursday, 28 June 2012 - pp 67-145
* NIT: Intervention - Gondarra in High Court challenge
* Tracker: Stronger Futures is a "war on democracy": Gondarra
* Congress Statement: Passage of the Stronger Futures Bills
* ACM Sydney: A sad day for democracy but the fight will continue
* ACOSS: Wrong way, go back: Communities seek a change of direction on income management
* Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney: Aboriginal Heartache as Govt Extends Intervention for 10 more Years
* The Wire: 10 more years for the NT Intervention
* News re Intervention laws pass the Senate
* Background to 'Stronger Futures' new NT Intervention laws
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* GREENS MPs: NT WAKES TO SAD NEWS AFTER INTERVENTION LAWS PASS THE SENATE
- Media Release
Greens MPs: NT wakes to sad news after Intervention laws pass the Senate
http://greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/nt-wakes-sad-news-after-i...
29 Jun 12: "The Government and Coalition have united to push the Stronger Futures legislation package, expanding the NT Intervention, through the Senate.
Senator Rachel Siewert said today that it will be a sad day for Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory waking up to the news.
"The continued commitment to the interventionist approach in the Northern Territory is a commitment to punitive and largely unproven measures, developed on the back of a flawed consultation process.
"When we failed in our attempt to vote down this legislation, the Greens sought to remove some of the most harmful aspects of this Bill, such as Income Management and SEAM, but we did not receive the support of the other parties. ... " [said Senator Siewert]"
* SENATE HANSARD ON STRONGER FUTURES - THURSDAY, 28 JUNE 2012 - pp 67-145:
Senate Hansard - Thursday, 28 June 2012
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/chamber/hansards/77c820b8-e...
Senate Hansard index
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hanssen261110
* NIT: INTERVENTION - GONDARRA IN HIGH COURT CHALLENGE
- News
National Indigenous Times: Intervention - Gondarra in High Court challenge
http://www.nit.com.au/your-say.html
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1342-intervention-gondarra-in-high-court-chal...
28 Jun 12: "Dr Gondarra said he believed the [extension of the NT Intervention] legislation, is race-based and discriminatory. "If this passes I will have to bring this before the High Court," Dr Gondarra said. "I will challenge this through the High Court in Australia. "I will not stop fighting. I will fight and fight until this legislation is in the bin; until this legislation that is damaging the nation of ours is destroyed and we all start fresh, new, a new dialogue, a new policy, a policy where the Elders get together with the Australian government to talk," he said."
* TRACKER: STRONGER FUTURES IS A "WAR ON DEMOCRACY": GONDARRA
- News
newsTracker: Stronger Futures is a "war on democracy": Gondarra
http://tracker.org.au/2012/06/stronger-futures-is-a-war-on-democracy-gon...
29 Jun 12: "NATIONAL: A respected Yolngu leader has slammed both major parties for passing the Stronger Futures laws, stating they have both "stolen the authority and responsibility of Aboriginal people" and started a "war on democracy". The Stronger Futures laws, which extend and expand many aspects of the NT intervention, were passed in the Senate early this morning, following a marathon debate surrounding the asylum seeker crisis. The laws have been subject to strong opposition campaign from civil, human rights and Aboriginal organisations."
* CONGRESS STATEMENT: PASSAGE OF THE STRONGER FUTURES BILLS
- Statement
National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples:
Congress Statement: Passage of the Stronger Futures Bills
http://nationalcongress.com.au/congress-statement-passage-of-the-stronge...
29 Jun 12: "Congress says that even though the laws to continue the Northern Territory Intervention have passed they still should be examined by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights.
While we are disappointed at the outcome, we will ensure Aboriginal people are aware of the available complaints mechanisms, if needed. ...
We will continue consult our members about the next steps and continue to keep Government accountable on delivery of services and funding in the Northern Territory."
See:
Background to National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples
Last updated: 5 May 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/05/background-to-the-national-congress-o...
* ACM SYDNEY: A SAD DAY FOR DEMOCRACY BUT THE FIGHT WILL CONTINUE
- News
ACM Sydney: A sad day for democracy but the fight will continue
http://acmsydney.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/a-sad-day-for-democracy-but-th...
29 Jun 12: "Graeme Mundine, Executive Director of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Sydney Archdiocese, has lamented the Senate’s passing of the Stronger Futures Legislation on Thursday evening. "This is a sad day for all Aboriginal people in Australia and it is a sad day for democracy," Mr Mundine said. ... "Civil society has played its part in our democratic process, but Government and Opposition Parliamentarians have failed in their responsibilities. They have ignored the voice of the people and pushed their own ill-informed and racist agenda." [Mr Mundine said]"
* ACOSS: WRONG WAY, GO BACK: COMMUNITIES SEEK A CHANGE OF DIRECTION ON INCOME MANAGEMENT
- Media Release
Australian Council of Social Service: Wrong way, go back: Communities seek a change of direction on income management
http://www.acoss.org.au/media/release/wrong_way_go_back_communities_seek...
29 Jun 12: "Peak welfare bodies the Australian Council of Social Service and the National Welfare Rights Network and grass roots community groups are disturbed by the entrenchment of Income Management in the Northern Territory and its extension to five new areas from 1 July. The groups argue that to impose income management on communities without proper consultation and solid evidence on its effects is wasteful and demeaning to those people whose household budgets will be controlled by Centrelink.
"We are extremely disappointed to see the Government's 'Stronger Futures' legislation passed in the Senate in the early hours of this morning, that not only extends the NT intervention by another 10 years, but also now imposes the unproven income management model for people on social security payments to five trial sites outside the Top End. The Government committed to evaluate the Northern Territory scheme before extending it further but has now extended aspects of it anyway, both in the Territory and the five new sites, " said ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie. ... "
* CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY: ABORIGINAL HEARTACHE AS GOVT EXTENDS INTERVENTION FOR 10 MORE YEARS
- News
Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney: Aboriginal Heartache as Govt Extends Intervention for 10 more Years
http://www.sydneycatholic.org/news/latest_news/2012/2012629_1905.shtml
29 Jun 12: "Early this morning the Federal Government voted to expand and extend its controversial Intervention policy across the Northern Territory and other States for a further 10 years. ... Despite condemnation of the Stronger Futures Bill by the United Nations, the World Council of Churches and Amnesty International as well as a petition signed by 43,000 Australians and more than 430 submissions criticising the legislation ... the expanded Interventionist policy was passed into law early this morning."
* THE WIRE: 10 MORE YEARS FOR THE NT INTERVENTION
- Audio
The Wire: 10 more years for the NT Intervention
Produced by Eduardo Jordan
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=9301
29 Jun 12: "It's been five years since the Northern Territory intervention started. This policy was approved by the Howard government in August 2007 as a way of addressing child abuse in Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory This week, the Gillard government has approved the Stronger Future legislation, extending the NT intervention for another 10 years, and including several other policies The move has Indigenous and human rights advocates worried. ...
Featured in story:
Jacqueline Phillips - National Directors of Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation
Monica Morgan - Manager for Indigenous Rights from Amnesty International"
* NEWS RE INTERVENTION LAWS PASS THE SENATE:
- Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio Online News 29.06.12
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-online-news-29-06-12
29 Jun 12: "The Stronger Futures bill has passed the senate after a long overnight debate."
ABC PM: NT intervention laws pass Senate
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2012/s3535951.htm
29 Jun 12: "New laws extending the intervention in remote Northern Territory areas passed the Senate today. It's nearly five years since John Howard brought in the original policy. Today's moves mean the current measures will mostly continue for another 10 years. The extension had bi-partisan support but still some including The Greens say it violates human rights. It comes as a crucial plank of the intervention, restrictions on dole spending, goes on trial in urban areas."
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio Online News 28.06.2012
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-online-news-28-06-2012
28 Jun 12: "Aboriginal leaders have warned the Government that if the Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory bill passes through the Senate and becomes law Aboriginal people will not just stand down and accept the legislation but continue to fight against it."
- News
SMH: Intervention laws linger as NT gets rules on alcohol
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/intervention-laws-linger-as...
30 Jun 12: "ELEMENTS of the federal intervention in the Northern Territory will continue for another 10 years, after Labor and the Coalition combined to pass the laws before Parliament rose for the long winter break. The laws introduce tougher penalties for alcohol offences, extend pornography restrictions and continue a direction preventing courts from taking customary law or cultural practice into account in considering the seriousness of an accused person's conduct in bail and sentencing decisions."
Indymedia Australia: Stronger Futures passed - "Sad day for democracy but the fight will continue"
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/06/29/stronger-futures-passed-sad-day-for-d...
29 Jun 12: "Graeme Mundine, Executive Director of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Sydney Archdiocese, has lamented the Senate's passing of the Stronger Futures Legislation on Thursday evening (28 June). "This is a sad day for all Aboriginal people in Australia and it is a sad day for democracy," Mr Mundine said. "The Stronger Futures legislation has now passed through both Houses of Parliament despite comprehensive opposition from Northern Territory Aboriginal Nations, community groups, Churches, welfare groups and others. ... ""
Koori Mail: Outrage as Stronger Futures bills pass
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
27 Jun 12: "ABORIGINAL people living in prescribed communities across the Northern Territory face another ten years of government intervention in their lives. The Stronger Futures bills were passed by the Australian Senate early this morning, and then ratified by the Lower House. ... Aboriginal leaders Dr Djiniyini Gondarra from Arnhem Land and Rosalie Kunoth Monks from Central Australia have declared a day of mourning today, while others have vowed to step up the fight to have the laws examined for potential human rights breaches."
6 minutes: Ten more years for failed "racist" health intervention
http://www.6minutes.com.au/news/latest-news/ten-more-years-for-failed-ra...
29 Jun 12: "The extension of the NT intervention for a further 10 years has been condemned by Greens Senator Dr Richard di Natale as a continuation of a racist and failed approach to Aboriginal health. Speaking in Senate yesterday, Dr di Natale said his experience of several years working in Aboriginal Medical Service in Tennant Creek had shown him that any health interventions needed to be locally controlled and introduced with adequate consultation."
ABC: Stronger Futures laws scramble condemned
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-29/stronger-futures-laws-rushed-throu...
29 Jun 12: "Indigenous and human rights groups have condemned the rushed passing of the Stronger Futures legislation through the Senate in the early hours of this morning. Amnesty International Australia says the law puts Australia's human rights record to shame. ... Yolungu National Assembly spokesman Djiniyini Gondarra says the Government has made a terrible mistake. "We Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory will never trust in government any more," he said. "I will be calling upon Aboriginal leaders right across the Territory to ... consider ways to fight.""
Sky News: Day of mourning for cont NT intervention
http://www.skynews.com.au/national/article.aspx?id=766004&vId=
29 Jun 12: "Aboriginal leaders will hold a day of mourning after federal parliament passed legislation to continue the Northern Territory intervention for another 10 years. ... Indigenous leader Dr Djiniyini Gondarra from East Arnhem Land and Rosalie Kunoth Monks from Central Australia have jointly declared a day of mourning for Aboriginal people following the passing of the laws. ... National Congress of Australia's First People spokeswoman Jody Broun was disappointed the government did not allow a parliamentary committee to subject the laws to a human rights test."
National Indigenous Radio Service: Parliament passes Stronger Futures
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7342-parliament-passes-stronger-...
29 Jun 12: "The Federal Government's controversial Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory legislation passed Federal Parliament overnight. The Government says the $3.4 billion commitment over 10 years will reduce Indigenous disadvantage in the Territory through tougher alcohol restrictions and income management measures in order to improve school attendance. The Sydney-based Stop the Intervention Collective has labelled the legislation as a recipe for continued disaster."
NT intervention extended for a decade
newsTracker: http://tracker.org.au/2012/06/nt-intervention-extended-for-a-decade/
SMH: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/nt-intervention-extended-f...
29 Jun 12: "Aboriginal leaders have declared a day of mourning after federal parliament passed legislation to continue the Northern Territory intervention for another decade. Labor and the opposition teamed up to pass the controversial laws in the Senate in the early hours of Friday morning after a marathon debate, which started early Thursday evening. ... Indigenous leader Dr Djiniyini Gondarra from East Arnhem Land and Rosalie Kunoth Monks from Central Australia have jointly declared a day of mourning for Aboriginal people following the passing of the laws."
ABC: Senate passes law to extend intervention
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-29/senate-passes-law-to-extend-interv...
29 Jun 12: "The Senate has passed legislation extending the intervention in the Northern Territory, after sitting until the early hours of the morning. The legislation also allows income quarantining measures in other parts of the country. The Greens did not support the bills, and speaking last night the party's leader Christine Milne criticised the Government for bringing on the debate with only a few hours' notice."
Australian: Macklin firm on Northern Territory intervention extension despite outcry
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/macklin-firm-on-norther...
29 Jun 12: "INDIGENOUS Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin has forcefully backed her legislation extending the Northern Territory intervention even as some welfare groups mark its passage as a "day of shame". The bills for the extension passed the Senate in the early hours of this morning after a long debate."
Australian: Senate approves Aboriginal intervention by 10 years
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/senate-approves-aborigi...
29 Jun 12: "The government's radical 10-year extension of the Northern Territory intervention has passed the Senate after a long overnight debate. The government has made amendments to confirm that police can issue infringement notices for the possession and supply of small quantities of alcohol. Amendments also ensure that only authorities that can give a notice to place a person on income management under the new state and territory referral measure meet specific conditions, including that they have appropriate review processes."
* BACKGROUND TO 'STRONGER FUTURES' NEW NT INTERVENTION LAWS:
Last updated: 22 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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