Newsletter date: 24 July 2012
Contents:
* Media Release: Leaders outraged as Indigenous issues sidelined by Prime Minister
* Video: Barb Shaw questions the PM on Stronger Futures
* David Selden: Letter to Jenny Macklin [re 'Stronger Futures' compliance]
* Background: Calls for 'Stronger Futures' laws to be subject to Human Rights scrutiny
* Insights UCA: Prayer vigil called to mourn passing of Stronger Futures legislation
* Catholic Weekly: Govt’s NT move makes a mockery of 'sorry': bishop
* More 'Stronger Futures' Legislation related articles
* Background to 'Stronger Futures' new NT Intervention laws
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Interview with Marion Scrymgour re NT Labor's education policy
* Greg Dickson: How not to report on Indigenous education
* Background to the use of Aboriginal languages in NT schools
* Media Release: A return to the gates of hell? [Olympic Dam Uranium mine]
* The Wire: Anti-nuclear campaigner [Dr Helen Caldicott] takes on the non-converted
* Background to expansion of Olympic Dam mine challenge
* National Indigenous Television (NITV) Coming Soon Free-To-Air
* Other articles
* MEDIA RELEASE: LEADERS OUTRAGED AS INDIGENOUS ISSUES SIDELINED BY PRIME MINISTER
- Media Release
Leaders outraged as Indigenous issues sidelined by Prime Minister
Stand For Freedom: http://standforfreedom.org.au/2012/07/23/leaders-outraged-as-indigenous-...
STICS: http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/press-releases/leaders-outraged-as-...
23 Jul 12: "Indigenous leaders and human rights groups are outraged that their question to the Prime Minister concerning the human rights validity of the recently passed Stronger Futures legislation was not asked, despite it being in 4th place in last Saturday’s Google Hangout with the Prime Minister.
The question, posted by Stand For Freedom director Damien Curtis, received 9000 votes in just 4 days, making it one of the fastest growing and most successful questions in the online competition. It finished in 4th place, ahead of the carbon tax questions heavily lobbied for by commentator Andrew Bolt.
However, those supporting the question were bitterly disappointed when, out of a total of 17 questions put to the Prime Minister, their question did not appear, even though a pre-recorded Youtube video had been submitted of Aboriginal leader Barbara Shaw asking the question.
Along with the winning top 3, the other questions asked included 5th, 6th, 8th and 13th positions, 8 unlisted questions, and bizarrely 52nd and 88th positions (with 100 votes between them). ... "
See:
OurSay:
in the hot seat: The Hon Julia Gillard MP
Hangout with the Prime Minister
http://oursay.org/hangout-with-the-prime-minister
http://oursay.org/hangout-with-the-prime-minister/sort:votes/dir:desc
"OurSay users join Julia Gillard as she responds to winning OurSay questions, as well as others questions chosen by Fairfax, from the 'Hangout with the PM' OurSay. This Google hangout was broadcast live across the nation on July 21st at 11am. OurSay users join Julia Gillard as she responds."
* VIDEO: BARB SHAW QUESTIONS THE PM ON STRONGER FUTURES
- Video
YouTube: Our Generation, Our Say! Barb Shaw's question
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zPq7FaD1a8
19 Jul 12: "Barb Shaw presents a question to the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard on why Stronger Futures legislation will not receive adequate scrutiny."
- Background News
Stand for Freedom: Our Question to PM: 4th place
http://standforfreedom.org.au/2012/07/21/our-question-to-pm-4th-place/
21 Jul 12: "Thanks to a huge movement of support, our question to the Prime Minister received 9000 votes in 4 days. The final result?: We came 4th… narrowly missing the top winning 3. So unfortunately our question won’t be asked live to the PM. ... Aboriginal leader Barbara Shaw recorded the question today, and fingers crossed, our challenge to Stronger Futures will still be put to the Prime Minister."
Stand for Freedom: Aboriginal leader Barbara Shaw to ask question to PM
http://standforfreedom.org.au/2012/07/19/aboriginal-leader-barbara-shaw-...
19 Jul 12: "If we make it into the top 3, Aboriginal community leader Barbara Shaw from Mt Nancy Town Camp (Alice Springs, NT) will ask the question live to the Prime Minister."
WGAR News: "Vote for our question [on Stronger Futures] to the Prime Minister" Stand for Freedom (17 Jul 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/07/17/wgar-news-vote-for-our-question-on-st...
* DAVID SELDEN: LETTER TO JENNY MACKLIN [RE 'STRONGER FUTURES' COMPLIANCE]
- Letter
Respect and Listen: Human Rights Review
Requests for Stronger Futures to be scrutinized for Human Rights compliance
David Selden - 18 July 2012 - Letter to Jenny Macklin
http://www.respectandlisten.org/nt-intervention/human-rights-review.html
18 Jul 12: "It is noted that the so-called 'Stronger Futures' Legislation was passed by Parliament without any justification. ... you [Ms Macklin] stated that there had been meaningful consultation with Aboriginal communities in the 'prescribed areas' and that the legislation is compliant with domestic and international law. However, you did not provide any details in support of these claims. ..." For more, see National Indigenous Times, 18 July 12, Issue 273, Vol. 11, page 34 - www.nit.com.au "
* BACKGROUND: CALLS FOR 'STRONGER FUTURES' LAWS TO BE SUBJECT TO HUMAN RIGHTS SCRUTINY
Last updated: 15 July 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/07/07/background-calls-for-stronger-futures...
* INSIGHTS UCA: PRAYER VIGIL CALLED TO MOURN PASSING OF STRONGER FUTURES LEGISLATION
- News
Insights Magazine - Uniting Church in Australia’s Synod of NSW & ACT:
Prayer vigil called to mourn passing of Stronger Futures legislation
http://www.insights.uca.org.au/news/prayer-vigil-called-to-mourn-passing...
18 Jul 12: "Members of the Uniting Church’s 13th Assembly will gather publicly in Adelaide on Thursday July 19 for a lunchtime prayer vigil to express extreme concern about the "Stronger Futures" legislation. In a dramatic response to calls for action to support the Indigenous people of Australia, Assembly changed its order of business so it could make the strongest possible statement about the law. The Chairperson of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, the Rev. Rronang Garrawurra, and the new President of the Uniting Church, the Rev. Professor Andrew Dutney, will stand shoulder-to-shoulder at the prayer vigil."
Indymedia Australia: Prayer Vigil Today to Mourn Stronger Futures Laws
[scroll down page] http://www.indymedia.org.au/2012/07/20/govt%E2%80%99s-nt-move-makes-a-mo...
19 Jul 12: "Rev. Rronang Garrawurra ...
The entire 265 Members of the Uniting Church’s Assembly meeting will hold a prayer vigil at 1 pm on Thursday 19 July on the steps of the South Australian Parliament to express their extreme concern at the passage of the Federal Government’s Stronger Futures legislation. ... "They have taken our land and now our humanity is taken away by this new law," said Rev. Garrawurra, speaking through an interpreter in his native Yolngu language. "The Uniting Church mourns another lost opportunity for true reconciliation with the First Peoples of Australia," said Rev. Prof. Dutney ... "
- Audio
The Wire: Stronger Futures Protest
Produced by Christopher Testa
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=9382
19 Jul 12: "There were prayers being said and songs being sung today on the steps of South Australia's Parliament house, as the Uniting Church gathered for its triennial assembly. The prayers carried a message for the federal government. Christopher Testa was there.
Featured in story:
* Rev Rronang Garrawurra, Chairperson of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress
* Rev Professor Andrew Dutney, President of the Uniting Church
* Robert Hoosan, Chair of the Northern Region of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress"
* CATHOLIC WEEKLY: GOVT'S NT MOVE MAKES A MOCKERY OF 'SORRY': BISHOP
- News
Catholic Weekly - Sydney: Govt’s NT move makes a mockery of 'sorry': bishop
http://www.catholicweekly.com.au/print.php?articleID=10354&class=Latest%...
22 Jul 12: "The Gillard Government’s 10-year extension of the Northern Territory intervention is not only a "huge betrayal", but a "giant step backwards" in relationships with Aboriginal people, says Bishop Christopher Saunders, chairman of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council. ... Bishop Saunders, Bishop of Broome, says the intervention makes a "mockery" of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s 'sorry' to the stolen generation in 2008."
- Related Analysis / Opinion
Australia Incognita: The bishops on the Northern Territory Intervention: bah humbug!
http://australiaincognita.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/the-bishops-on-norther...
21 Jul 12: "Since I'm on a public policy spin at the moment, let me register my complaint about the bishops' continuing condemnation of the Northern Territory Intervention. Undermining the teaching authority: This is one of those classic areas where the social teaching of the Church offers some principles we should consider. But it simply does not support, in my view, a clear conclusion one way or another, because there are different judgments that can be arrived at depending on the relative weight you put on those principles and your assessment of the actual factual situation."
* MORE 'STRONGER FUTURES' LEGISLATION RELATED ARTICLES:
- News
Australian: Safety of children thrust to forefront
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/safety-of-children-thru...
20 Jul 12: "THE radical Northern Territory Emergency Response, or intervention, has increased awareness of child safety and led to more resources to counter under-reporting and investigation of child maltreatment, a new paper reveals. Daryl Higgins, deputy director of research at the Australian Institute of Family Studies, said evidence suggested the measures introduced in June 2007 had significantly increased the reporting and investigation of child safety concerns, but it was unclear whether the intervention had led to a sustained reduction in risk to indigenous children."
* BACKGROUND TO 'STRONGER FUTURES' NEW NT INTERVENTION LAWS:
Last updated: 20 July 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-stronger-futures-new-nt...
* BACKGROUND TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION:
Last updated: 4 July 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-northern-territory-...
* INTERVIEW WITH MARION SCRYMGOUR RE NT LABOR'S EDUCATION POLICY:
- Interview
Country Liberals: Labor's education policy
http://www.countryliberals.org.au/media.php?id=3205
19 Jul 12: "Marion Scrymgour: I have come out very clearly saying what I got wrong and what I got wrong was saying that kids will only be speaking English in the first four hours of school and that was wrong to say that because the reality in most remote aboriginal communities the aboriginal language whatever is the first language would be used as a vehicle for instruction for English that was always what the transforming indigenous education policy was all about. ... English, English, English only was a huge mistake of mine and I’ve admitted that and I’ve moved on."
* GREG DICKSON: HOW NOT TO REPORT ON INDIGENOUS EDUCATION
- Analysis / Opinion
Fully (sic) - Crikey's language blog: How not to report on Indigenous education
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/fullysic/2012/07/20/how-not-to-report-on-indi...
20 Jul 12: "On Monday I got a phone call out of the blue from a journalist from The Australian. Initially, I felt a bit chuffed being cold-called by a big newspaper. I soon realised however that the journo was asking me about stuff that wasn’t really my area of expertise. She wanted to know about ESL teaching in the APY (Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara) lands. This is out of my area geographically (desert rather than Top End) and professionally (education rather than linguistics). ... When I saw the resulting story, I learned that she didn’t do a good job of reporting on the issue at all." By Greg Dickson
* BACKGROUND TO THE USE OF ABORIGINAL LANGUAGES IN NT SCHOOLS:
Last updated: 20 July 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/05/background-to-the-use-of-aboriginal-l...
* MEDIA RELEASE: A RETURN TO THE GATES OF HELL?
- Media Release
Closing of the Lizard’s Revenge Festival at Olympic Dam, but the anti uranium struggle will go on
A return to the gates of hell?
Antinuclear: http://antinuclear.net/2012/07/19/closing-of-the-lizards-revenge-festiva...
19 Jul 12: "Yesterday was the last official day of the Lizards Revenge Music and Arts Festival of Resistance at the Olympic Dam Uranium mine, where over 500 protestors have gathered for the past week.
Dr Helen Caldicott visited the Lizards Revenge to run a workshop addressing health issues relating to uranium yesterday afternoon. ...
Elder Kevin Buzzacott has extended an invitation to the festival participants to join him on Arabunna country to visit the mound springs in the Lake Eyre region, which have been impacted by the extraction of water from the Artesian Basin for the uranium mine. ...
Organisers are extremely happy with the event, with people coming from all states and territories and as far as Japan, Canada and Europe to participate."
- Event
Event: 14 to 18 (or 20) July 2012: Olympic Dam, SA
The Lizard's Revenge:
Olympic Dam expansion music/art/festival/protest
"Sleeping underneath the ground there is an old lizard,
Kalta the sleepy lizard. The lizard ain’t so sleepy anymore.
BHP is mining right into that Lizards body. The government
has just approved an expansion of the Olympic Dam uranium
mine, making it the biggest uranium mine in the world.
Kalta is angry and wants revenge.
Arabana elder Kevin Buzzacot is calling the people of the
world to help the lizard shut down the mine. He is calling
for people to come and heal the land in the name of peace
and justice for the next 10,000 generations to come."
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/the-lizards-revenge-olympic-dam-expansion-musica...
Background: http://londonminingnetwork.org/2011/10/australia-approves-20-30bn-bhp-bi...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/224524544273924
Website: http://lizardsrevenge.net/
Road Trip for Change Tue 3 - Fri 20 July 2012: http://indymedia.org.au/road-trip-for-change-step-outback-and-learn-from...
Invitation from uncle Kevin Buzzacott: http://bhpbillitonwatch.net/2012/06/16/invitation-to-the-lizards-revenge/
* THE WIRE: ANTI-NUCLEAR CAMPAIGNER TAKES ON THE NON-CONVERTED
- Audio Interview
The Wire: Anti-nuclear campaigner takes on the non-converted
Produced by Annie Hastwell
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=9383
19 Jul 12: "Dr Helen Caldicott has taken her message about the dangers of uranium around the world for four decades. Her grave fears about what will be the world's biggest uranium mine, Olympic Dam, have brought her back home. She has just returned from the Lizard's revenge protest in SA's far north and said she was shocked by the heavy police response to the protest.
Related Links: Helen's broadcast site:
http://www.ifyoulovethisplanet.org/ "
* BACKGROUND TO EXPANSION OF OLYMPIC DAM MINE CHALLENGE:
Last updated: 20 July 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/13/background-to-expansion-of-olympic-da...
* NATIONAL INDIGENOUS TELEVISION (NITV) COMING SOON FREE-TO-AIR:
- Television
National Indigenous Television (NITV) Coming Soon Free-To-Air
[scroll down page] http://www.nitv.org.au/fx-program.cfm?pid=EA404D72-F484-A547-CBF065AB459...
"As you may be aware NITV has joined the SBS family and will launch Free-to-Air by the end of 2012. Yes that’s right, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander television coming soon to a television screen near you. That means that you no longer have to pay to access NITV. It will be free for everyone in our communities. To keep up to date with the launch dates then register on Campfire on www.nitv.org.au. "
See:
http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/
http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/2255841853/NITV-NEWS-13-07-2012#Men...
* OTHER ARTICLES:
- News
newsTracker: Redmond to visit APY lands
http://tracker.org.au/2012/07/redmond-to-visit-apy-lands/
23 Jul 12: "SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond will visit the state’s Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) lands this week. Ms Redmond and opposition aboriginal affairs spokesman Duncan McFetridge will visit schools and hold talks with community leaders in SA’s northwest. "We will be visiting schools and talking with principals, teachers and students along with community representatives in an effort to get a good overview of the issues, opportunities and challenges facing the many people who live there," Ms Redmond said in a statement on Monday."
National Indigenous Radio Service: Social benefits for gas hub deal slammed
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7400-social-benefits-for-gas-hub...
20 Jul 12: "A former advisor to the Howard Government says the planned $40 billion gas hub by Woodside Petroleum in the Kimberley won't benefit Indigenous groups in the area. Successful businessman Geoff Cousins says mining companies have been in the region for about four decades, but Indigenous people remain significantly disadvantaged. Mr. Cousins says a plan by Woodside and the Western Australian Government to improve health and education infrastructure only if communities allow development their land is unfair."
National Indigenous Radio Service: Anti-uranium protesters: Mining companies 'divide and rule'
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7399-anti-uranium-protesters-min...
20 Jul 12: "Anti-uranium protesters in South Australia say developers are only dealing with Aboriginal groups that agree with them on the Olympic Dam mine expansion. A group of protesters were this week joined by representatives from Indigenous communities in the region at the Roxby Downs site to voice their opposition to the plan. BHB Billiton says it has the support of traditional owner groups but protest organiser Nectaria Calan says many Arabana and Kokatha people remain against it."
Australian: Workers left out of APY intervention
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/workers-left-out-of-apy...
20 Jul 12: "SOUTH Australia's remote Aboriginal lands will be the site of the next wave of the federal intervention, after the completion of consultation in the region. But community groups say they are concerned the consultation process on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands has not adequately heard concerns from wage-earners about humbugging. As consultation on income quarantining began in May, The Australian revealed that the region's respected Women's Council was calling for a broader programto encompass workers."
National Indigenous Times: Muckaty’s port protest
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1468-muckatys-port-protest.html
19 Jul 12: "Traditional Owners have joined more than 200 unionists and their families on Stokes Hill Wharf in Darwin to protest the Federal Government's continued push to dump radioactive waste on their land at Muckaty. The rally marks seven years since the former Howard government announced plans for building the first national radioactive waste dump at one of three potential sites in the Northern... "
National Indigenous Times: Gas hub opponents claim EPA findings are a sham
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1465-gas-hub-opponents-claim-epa-findings-are...
19 Jul 12: "By National Indigenous Times West Australian reporter Gerry Georgatos. The Australian Greens, Aboriginal Elders and Kimberley residents have condemned the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) report and recommendations giving the go-ahead for the Browse Basin gas hub at James Price Point, describing the environmental assessment process "as a... "
National Indigenous Times: Maintain the rage and fight for justice over our stolen wages, says Moncrieff
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1462-maintain-the-rage-and-fight-for-justice-...
19 Jul 12: "By National Indigenous Times West Australian reporter Gerry Georgatos. Yamatji singer/songwriter, rights activist and Stolen Wages campaigner Phil Moncrieff has not given up in the fight for justice for the victims of the Stolen Wages in Western Australia. The West Australian government said in March the living victims and not any of the families will be eligible to apply for up... "
National Indigenous Times: Constitutional reform
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1466-constitutional-reform.html
19 Jul 12: "By National Indigenous Times reporter Geoff Bagnall. Professor Mick Dodson has thrown his weight behind calls for Constitutional changes to recognise Aboriginal people and ban racial discrimination declaring such changes would "cast out forever the dead legal and policy corpse of white Australia". The government has said it would like the referendum to be held with the 2013 Federal... "
- Analysis / Opinion
National Indigenous Times: Pru Goward responds to questions on Moree and Toomelah
http://www.nit.com.au/opinion/1446-pru-goward-responds-to-questions-on-m...
19 Jul 12: "The Moree Champion newspaper sought responses from the NSW Minister for Community Services, Pru Goward on the Toomelah issues relating to allegations of child sex abuse aired on the ABC television current affairs program the 7.30 Report. The newspaper put 11 questions to the Minister. Those questions and the Minister's responses are published below: ... "
National Indigenous Times: A combined effort is required from us all, says NSWALC
http://www.nit.com.au/opinion/1445-a-combined-effort-is-required-from-us...
19 Jul 12: "The major issues affecting the Toomelah community such as poor housing, lack of employment, the provision of decent drinking water and an effective sewerage system can only be addressed by the combined effort of the Federal Government, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, the Local Aboriginal Land Council and the community, a spokesman for the NSW Aboriginal Land Council has... "
National Indigenous Times: Abuse survivor claims police have been told who are predators
http://www.nit.com.au/opinion/1444-abuse-survivor-claims-police-have-bee...
19 Jul 12: "By National Indigenous Times reporter Geoff Bagnall. New South Wales Minister Pru Goward's claim police cannot investigate child sex abuse in Toomelah without evidence has been disputed by Alice Haines, a former Toomelah resident and abuse survivor. Ms Haines featured in a report by the ABC television's current affairs program, 7.30 which claimed sex abuse of children in Toomelah... "
National Indigenous Times: We have been abandoned, says Leroy Connors - that’s why we are suffering
http://www.nit.com.au/opinion/1443-we-have-been-abandoned-says-leroy-con...
19 Jul 12: "As blame game continues between government and Land Councils all the Toomelah community wants is action to finally fix the problems. By National Indigenous Times reporter Geoff Bagnall. Toomelah and its residents have been abandoned by all of the agencies who have responsibility for the social services every community should normally have provided, according to a former... "
- Videos
YouTube: Income Management (Child Protection Measure): Experiences from Western Australia
By fahcsia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzbHKPoMDr4
5 Jul 12: "Hear the stories of people involved in income management in Western Australia, including participants, the Jacaranda Community Centre and the Department of Child Protection."
YouTube: Income management - Experiences from Western Australia
By fahcsia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56GB6RGU52k&feature=relmfu
5 Jul 12: "Hear the stories of people involved in income management in Western Australia, including participants, the Jacaranda Community Centre and the Department of Child Protection."
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http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/30/about-wgar-news-working-group-for-abo...
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