Newsletter date: 15 January 2013
Contents:
* SBS World News Video & newsTracker: Child abuse inquiry lacks Indigenous focus: Greens
* Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne: Greens welcome Royal Commission
* Amnesty: DPP’s failure to investigate Briscoe's death: a blight on the justice system
* Background to the justice for Kumentjaye Briscoe campaign
* NIRS: New support for Perth domestic violence sufferers announced
* Augusta-Margaret River Mail: New service a stand against 'Aboriginal inequalities'
* Media release: [Brisbane] Sovereign Embassy supporters to rally outside court [Fri 11 Jan 13]
* Background to Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy, Musgrave Park, South Brisbane, Qld
* Other articles
* SBS WORLD NEWS VIDEO & NEWSTRACKER: CHILD ABUSE INQUIRY LACKS INDIGENOUS FOCUS: GREENS
- Video and News
Child abuse inquiry lacks Indigenous focus: Greens
SBS World News Video: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1726178/Child-abuse-inquiry-lacks-Ind...
newsTracker: http://tracker.org.au/2013/01/child-abuse-inquiry-lacks-indigenous-focus...
11 Jan 13: "The Australian Greens are concerned the federal government's royal commission into child sexual abuse lacks a focus on such activities in Aboriginal communities. ... "Our only concern is the absence of specific reference to Aboriginal abuse," Greens leader Christine Milne said in a statement. "We certainly encourage the commissioners to ensure that they visit indigenous communities, examine the issues specific to them, and take into account the cultural sensitivities surrounding giving evidence.""
- Related News
Koori Mail: AIDA backs Milroy appointment
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
11 Jan 13: "THE Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association (AIDA) has congratulated its former President Professor Helen Milroy on her appointment as one of six members of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Prof Milroy is a Palyku woman with family from the Pilbara region, Australia's first Aboriginal doctor, first Aboriginal psychiatrist, and only Aboriginal child and adolescent psychiatrist. AIDA President Dr Tammy Kimpton said Prof Milroy was an obvious choice for the role and would 'add critical understandings to shape the Royal Commission's deliberations and recommendations to government'."
See:
WGAR News: SNAICC News: Royal Commission must ensure the engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (8 Dec 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/12/08/wgar-news-act-of-recognition-is-an-ab...
WGAR News: SNAICC News: NATSILs and SNAICC joint submission on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (3 Dec 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/12/03/wgar-news-a-decision-to-discriminate-...
WGAR News: The Wire: Call for indigenous commissioners to head up abuse investigation [Interview with Tjanara Goreng Goreng] (22 Nov 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/11/21/wgar-news-the-wire-call-for-indigenou...
See:
About Tracker
http://tracker.org.au/about-us/
"Tracker magazine is a publication of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Australia’s largest Aboriginal organisation."
* AUSTRALIAN GREENS LEADER SENATOR CHRISTINE MILNE: GREENS WELCOME ROYAL COMMISSION
- Media Release
Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne: Greens welcome Royal Commission
http://christine-milne.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/greens-we...
11 Jan 13: "The Australian Greens welcome today's announcements progressing the Royal Commission into institutional child sexual abuse.
Australian Greens Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said "I reiterate my hope that this can bring some peace to shattered lives, help bring perpetrators to justice, lift the shadow off all those good people in the church striving to do good for others, and make sure churches and other organisation can never again cover-up child abuse or allow victims to be ignored.
"Our only concern is the absence of specific reference to Aboriginal abuse. We certainly encourage the Commissioners to ensure that they visit indigenous communities, examine the issues specific to them, and take into account the cultural sensitivities surrounding giving evidence.
"I want to thank the Prime Minister for her consultation in developing the terms of reference, and commit to looking at the legislation when it is provided with a view to facilitating its passage through the parliament.""
See:
About Christine Milne
http://christine-milne.greensmps.org.au/about
1 Jan 12: "Christine Milne, Senator for Tasmania and Leader of the Australian Greens, is one of Australia's most experienced and respected environmental and community activists, with a career spanning 30 years."
* AMNESTY: DPP'S FAILURE TO INVESTIGATE BRISCOE'S DEATH: A BLIGHT ON THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
- News
Amnesty International Australia: DPP’s failure to investigate Briscoe's death: a blight on the justice system
http://www.amnesty.org.au/news/comments/30817/
10 Jan 13: "The decision by the Department of Public Prosecutions not to investigate the death of Kwementyaye Briscoe in a police cell in January 2012 is another shocking blight on the justice system and its treatment of Indigenous Australians. ... "It is reprehensible and incredibly sad that a young man taken into custody on the premise he will be safer in a cell because of his intoxication level, as a result of inhumane treatment, died alone there," said Monica Morgan, Manager of Amnesty International's Indigenous Rights Program. "Adding to Mr Briscoe’s family distress ... they are notified there will be no investigation into the criminal liability of the police that were responsible for him at the time of his death."
- Video
SBS Video: NITV News - 11 January part 3
http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/14354499823/NITV-News-11-January-pa...
[NITV news coverage (including Amnesty's Monica Morgan) about Mr Briscoe.]
See:
Amnesty International Australia: Indigenous Peoples' Rights
http://www.amnesty.org.au/indigenous-rights/
"Amnesty International is committed to ensuring the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ is implemented locally and nationally through legislation, policies and programs."
* BACKGROUND TO THE JUSTICE FOR KUMENTJAYE BRISCOE CAMPAIGN:
Last updated: 12 January 2013
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/12/17/background-to-the-justice-for-kumentj...
* NIRS: NEW SUPPORT FOR PERTH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUFFERERS ANNOUNCED
- News
National Indigenous Radio Service: New support for Perth domestic violence sufferers announced
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7738-new-support-for-perth-domes...
14 Jan 13: "The Western Australian Government has announced a new legal service centre for Indigenous victims of domestic physical and sexual abuse will be built for Perth. The Government says six hundred thousand dollars will be spent on the service, with Legal Aid WA and the Aboriginal Legal Service advising the need for the facility. Attorney-General Michael Mischin says support services told him they're often unable to assist victims of family violence because the same services represent the accused."
See:
About the National Indigenous Radio Service
http://www.nirs.org.au/about-us
"The National Indigenous Radio Service Limited (NIRS) is a national service provided from a hub station residing in Brisbane. It networks material for Indigenous media organisations that don't have the staffing or capital requirements to provide a 24-hour high quality broadcast to their audience."
* AUGUSTA-MARGARET RIVER MAIL: NEW SERVICE A STAND AGAINST 'ABORIGINAL INEQUALITIES'
- News
Augusta-Margaret River Mail: New service a stand against 'Aboriginal inequalities'
http://www.margaretrivermail.com.au/story/1233045/new-service-a-stand-ag...
14 Jan 13: "A new legal service for indigenous victims of domestic abuse is a firm-stand against "generations of Aboriginal inequalities", according to victim advocates. Premier Colin Barnett announced on Sunday that the WA government would commit $600,000 a year to establish the metropolitan legal service, to assist victims of family violence and sexual abuse. ... Victims of Crime advocate and aboriginal lawyer Dr Hannah McGlade said the issue of indigenous support had been raised for many years and the announcement of the new service was a "momentous day for Perth"."
* MEDIA RELEASE: [BRISBANE] SOVEREIGN EMBASSY SUPPORTERS TO RALLY OUTSIDE COURT [FRI 11 JAN 13]
- Media Release
Media release: Sovereign Embassy supporters to rally outside court
Sovereign Union: http://nationalunitygovernment.org/node/484#media
4ZZZ Brisbane: http://www.4zzzfm.org.au/community-notices/events/media-release-sovereig...
11 Jan 13: "Supporters of the Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy will gather outside the Brisbane Magistrates Court this Friday as three Embassy members again face court for defending the Sacred Fire. ... Wayne Wharton, Boe Spearim and Hamish Chitts were arrested on December 12 when the Brisbane City Council and over 80 police forcibly evicted the Embassy and desecrated the Sacred Fire. Since their arrest, the three have been excluded from the Embassy site by the draconian bail conditions placed upon them, which will be challenged in court this Friday."
See:
WGAR News: Brisbane Times: Aborigines' claim on Musgrave Park set to be tested in court (13 Jan 13)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2013/01/13/wgar-news-government-must-do-the-righ...
WGAR News: Adelaide Now: [Brisbane] Tent embassy land 'for Aboriginal use' (13 Jan 13)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2013/01/13/wgar-news-government-must-do-the-righ...
* BACKGROUND TO BRISBANE ABORIGINAL SOVEREIGN EMBASSY, MUSGROVE PARK, SOUTH BRISBANE, QLD:
Last updated: 13 January 2013
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/01/02/brisbane-aboriginal-sovereign-embassy...
* OTHER ARTICLES:
- News
National Indigenous Radio Service: Greens call for Maralinga nuclear compensation push
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7737-greens-call-for-maralinga-n...
14 Jan 13: "The Australia Greens have called on the Federal Government to do more for Aboriginal groups exposed to the effects of British nuclear testing at Maralinga in South Australia in the 1950s and 60s. Federal Senator Scott Ludlam says victims of the atomic testing should be properly compensated. But a British court recently ruled that British veterans who participated in the tests could not prove their illnesses were caused by exposure to radiation. Senator Ludlam says despite this, the Government should urge their British counterparts to compensate Maralinga residents with a grace payment."
Australian: History will prove us right on gas pipeline: WA Premier
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/history-...
14 Jan 13: "WEST Australian Premier Colin Barnett has likened criticism of Woodside's proposed gas hub at James Price Point to the ridicule that dogged other massive engineering projects, such as the ambitious pipeline designed by Charles Yelverton O'Connor to carry water from Perth to the goldfields."
Australian: Top End housing program money 'wasted'
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/top-end-...
14 Jan 13: "THE Coalition has rubbished Labor's "disingenuous" claims of having improved indigenous living standards by meeting housing targets, declaring instead that through waste and mismanagement the government has squandered a once-in-a-generation opportunity. MPs in Canberra and Darwin attacked the federal and former Northern Territory governments for failing to alleviate overcrowding, presiding over shoddy workmanship and not engaging with indigenous people properly."
Australian: Loophole on jailing kids may be closed
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/loophole-on-jailing-kid...
12 Jan 13: "WEST Australian Attorney-General Michael Mischin has supported a further toughening of mandatory sentencing laws blamed for contributing to the nation's highest rates of Aboriginal incarceration. Mr Mischin said there were good arguments for removing loopholes from WA's three-strikes legislation for children and adults who continue to commit burglaries, home invasions and assaults."
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