Newsletter date: 22 September 2012
Contents:
* "With constitutional change deferred, it's time to negotiate a treaty"
* Sovereign Union: Vote "NO" To Constitutional Reform
* Greens won’t allow Constitutional Recognition to be pushed off the agenda
* Congress: Leaders must work towards full recognition
* ANTaR: Another step forward but keep end goal in sight
* Oxfam Australia: Act of Recognition a welcome step towards referendum
* Moree Champion: Tent embassy burns down
* Courier Mail: State backflip on Murri multicultural centre funding angers community
* New monthly publication from Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy
* Background to the Aboriginal tent embassies
* ANTaR Queensland: Impact of Budget Cuts Revealed
* Other Articles
* "WITH CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE DEFERRED, IT'S TIME TO NEGOTIATE A TREATY"
- Media Release
With constitutional change deferred, it's time to negotiate a treaty
Sovereign Union: http://nationalunitygovernment.org/content/constitutional-change-deferre...
Treaty Republic: http://treatyrepublic.net/content/constitutional-change-deferred-its-tim...
21 Sep 12: "Having deferred a constitutional change, the federal Labor government and the Liberal coalition opposition must now take this opportunity to focus on the real issues and not band-aid programs and objectives that serve to soothe rather than deal with the hard matters that Australia has to face up to. The continuing sovereignty of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island nations and peoples must now be the blueprint for change. Constitutional reform to merely have our people referred to as the first peoples of this land is without any spirit or purpose, just an appeasement and a conscious numbing exercise. ...
Aboriginal people across this country are now making their stand. We are a sovereign people and the invaders' leadership and their negative Aboriginal collaborators must now face the truth and back our calls for a treaty to be negotiated."
* SOVEREIGN UNION: VOTE "NO" TO CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
- Fact sheets
Sovereign Union - First Nations Interim National Unity Government:
Australian Constitutional Reform Fact Sheets x 2
Vote "NO" To Constitutional Reform
http://nationalunitygovernment.org/node/390
"Don't be fooled by glossy marketing Campaigns that pretend all of a sudden we will have unity. These proposed changes are breaches of Human Rights to fool us into thinking that Constitutional Reform Benefits our people. It does not it is a complete insult to not give us a 'Treaty'. Saying 'Yes' to Constitutional Reform removes our rights to a 'Treaty'. Say 'No' To Constitutional Change."
* GREENS WON'T ALLOW CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION TO BE PUSHED OFF THE AGENDA:
- Media Release
Rachel Siewert/ Christine Milne: Greens won’t allow Constitutional Recognition to be pushed off the agenda
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/greens-won...
20 Sep 12: "The Australian Greens remain committed to a referendum on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Islander peoples, viewing proposed legislation as a stepping stone to a successful vote.
"We accept this decision but are very disappointed that the timeframe for a referendum on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Islander peoples, as established in our agreement with the Government, cannot be met," Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
"It is in no one’s interest to see this referendum fail- a fact we have been very considerate of it in acknowledging the need for an extension of time before a vote is held.
"The proposed legislation will allow for parliamentary debate and continued discussion and engagement with the community.
"We will not allow this issue to be pushed off the agenda and will continue working hard to develop the community discussion on Constitutional Recognition. I call on all MPs to do the same," Senator Siewert said. ... "
- Related News
Koori Mail: Govt proposes Act of Recognition
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
20 Sep 12: "THE Federal Government will ask Parliament to pass an Act of Recognition 'acknowledging the unique and special place of our first people’s' in an effort to build community awareness prior to a referendum to change the constitution to recognise Indigenous people. Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin said the Government recognised that there was not yet enough community awareness or support for change to hold a successful referendum at or before the next federal election. "To ensure that we continue to build momentum for constitutional change, the Government expects to introduce the Act of Recognition to Parliament before the end of the year," she said."
* CONGRESS: LEADERS MUST WORK TOWARDS FULL RECOGNITION
- Statement
National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples: Leaders must work towards full recognition
http://nationalcongress.com.au/leaders-must-work-towards-full-recognition/
20 Sep 12: "Statement in relation to the government’s decision to propose an Act of Recognition as a step towards holding a successful referendum to change the constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Congress Co-Chair Jody Broun today called for a commitment to the Expert Panel’s five major recommendations and on the timing for the referendum.
"Congress agrees that any referendum can only be held when it meets the expectations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and has the best chance of success," she said.
"However both major parties must make serious commitments to the Expert Panel’s five major recommendations and to the timing for the referendum.
"Congress also calls for leadership and support from the Greens and Independents to achieve this reform. ... " she said."
* ANTaR: ANOTHER STEP FORWARD BUT KEEP END GOAL IN SIGHT
- Media Release
ANTaR - Justice, Rights and Respect for Australia's First Peoples:
Another step forward but keep end goal in sight
http://www.antar.org.au/another_step_forward_but_keep_end_goal_in_sight
20 Sep 12: "ANTaR welcomes today’s commitment to passage of an Act of Recognition as a step on the road to Constitutional Recognition of Australia’s First Peoples, but insists that the end goal must remain firmly in sight.
"Today’s announcement provides some welcome clarity around the timing of the referendum and an opportunity for all parties to re-affirm their commitment to Constitutional Recognition of Australia’s First Peoples through passage of an Act of Recognition," said Jacqueline Phillips, National Director.
"The Act of Recognition must be seen as the next step on the road to Referendum, with a clear focus on the end goal." ...
"We await further detail about the proposed Act of Recognition, but hope that it reflects all elements of the Expert Panel’s package, including the inclusion of a prohibition on racial discrimination. The fundamental principle of racial equality should be clearly reflected in our nation’s highest law." ... "
* OXFAM AUSTRALIA: ACT OF RECOGNITION A WELCOME STEP TOWARDS REFERENDUM
- Media Release
Oxfam Australia: Act of Recognition a welcome step towards referendum
https://www.oxfam.org.au/media/2012/09/act-of-recognition-a-welcome-step...
20 Sep 12: "The Government’s announcement to introduce an Act of Recognition bill into Parliament to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is a welcome step on the path towards a referendum to change our Constitution, Oxfam Australia said today.
Oxfam Australia’s Indigenous Rights Policy Advisor Andrew Meehan said it was an important move to ensure the multiparty commitment to hold a referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our nation’s Constitution was maintained and strengthened.
"A referendum won’t succeed unless this political support is maintained," Mr Meehan said. "Holding a referendum at the next election runs the risk of testing that cross-party commitment at a time when there is still work to do to educate the Australian public about this issue." ... "
- Related News
National Indigenous Radio Service: Oxfam welcomes bid for Constitutional Recognition
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7549-oxfam-welcomes-bid-for-cons...
21 Sep 12: "Human rights organisation Oxfam Australia has welcomed the Federal Government’s bid to pass an Act of Recognition of Australia’s first people. Oxfam Australia’s Indigenous Rights Policy Advisor Andrew Meehan says, the change is long overdue and would eliminate out-dated discriminatory provisions and racial discrimination. Mr Meehan says, the Expert Panel’s report suggests more public support is needed to introduce the act and the Government should wait for the right timing."
* MOREE CHAMPION: TENT EMBASSY BURNS DOWN
- News
Moree Champion: Tent embassy burns down
http://www.moreechampion.com.au/story/342451/tent-embassy-burns-down/
18 Sep 12: "THE Moree Tent Embassy burnt down on Saturday. Police are appealing for information on the fire, which they believe to have been deliberately lit. Emergency services were called to the blaze near the skate park off Balo Street about 5.45pm on Saturday. NSW Fire Brigade attended the scene. They worked to contain the fire but the tent structures were completely destroyed. No-one was injured."
* COURIER MAIL: STATE BACKFLIP ON MURRI MULTICULTURAL CENTRE FUNDING ANGERS COMMUNITY
- News
Courier Mail: State backflip on Murri multicultural centre funding angers community
http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/central/state-backflip-on-murri-...
19 Sep 12: "Almost $4million in state funding for a Musgrave Park Cultural Centre was pulled in last week's Budget, angering South Brisbane's indigenous community. The Government allocated $5million in 1999-2000 to build the centre but reclaimed the money after "12 years of negotiation with no resolution despite the efforts of all parties''. ... Political activist and community worker Sam Watson was furious at the backflip and would plan a "sustained program of protest action''."
* NEW MONTHLY PUBLICATION FROM BRISBANE ABORIGINAL SOVEREIGN EMBASSY:
Indigenous Voices: New Publication!! Brisbane Blacks Monthly!
http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/indigenous-voices/2012/09/19/new-publication...
19 Sep 12: "The new monthly publication from Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy was launched on Friday 7th September at the Embassy in Musgrave Park. ... The Monthly publication celebrates the voice of the Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy - informing first nations people & educating the non-indigenous community about the fight for sovereignty & other issues facing indigenous people. The magazine is a wonderful collection of stories, personal profiles, images and so much information for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people."
* BACKGROUND TO THE ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSIES:
Last updated: 15 September 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-aboriginal-sovereig...
* ANTaR QUEENSLAND: IMPACT OF BUDGET CUTS REVEALED
- Analysis / Opinion
ANTaR Queensland: AQ Update Impact of Budget Cuts Revealed
http://www.antarqld.org.au/node/199
"It is with great sadness that I can confirm that the 17 Queensland Murri Courts, the only culturally designed court option for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders, have indeed lost funding. As have the Special Circumstances and Qld Drug Courts. In the words of Rosemary Connors, Director of Children of the Dreaming and winners of last year’s ANTaR Qld Close the Gap Award “It's pretty much devastating losing the Murri Courts. The cost to run the Murri Court bail program is a quarter of the cost of sending an offender to prison.''
- Related News
Koori Mail: Outrage as Murri Court goes
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php?page=Current+Edition
19 Sep 12: "MEMBERS of Queensland’s Murri Court have been outraged by the Queensland Government decision to axe it. The Newman Government cut funding for the Murri, Special Circumstances and Drug courts in this month’s Budget in a bid to save $35.7 million over four years. Justice Minister Jarrod Bleijie said the decision was necessary to return Queensland to a stronger financial position, and because evidence suggested it was not working effectively . But Townsville Murri Court members Emmanuel Ross and Albert Abdul Rahman, and others have been angered and appalled by the move. They say the loss of the Murri Court, established in 2002 as Queensland’s first sentencing court for Indigenous offenders, will be a blow to Indigenous offenders’ rehabilitation and reconciliation."
* OTHER ARTICLES:
- Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
http://caama.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/am-22-09.mp3
http://caama.com.au/radio#tabs-6
21 Sep 12: "* A Sydney based human rights lawyer acting for the family of an Aboriginal man who died while in protective custody in the Alice Springs Police watch house earlier this year….. has called for charges to be laid against the police.
* Veteran Tasmanian Aboriginal rights campaigner Heather Sculthorpe has added her voice to calls for the the police who manhandled Kwenetyaye Briscoe to be held responsible for their actions.
* The First Nations political Party has rejected claims that the majority of Aboriginal people who voted in the recent Northern Territory election …had voted in favor of the Howard coalition governments Intervention."
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