Newsletter date: 30 June 2013
UPDATE: WGAR News: NT move to mandatory alcohol rehabilitation sparks controversy: Malcolm Sutton, The Guardian UK (3 Jul 13)
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/07/02/wgar-news-nt-move-to-mandatory-alcoho...
Background to the NT Alcohol Mandatory Treatment Bill, Northern Territory Government, Australia
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/07/03/background-to-the-nt-alcohol-mandator...
(Last updated: 3 July 2013)
Contents:
* APO NT: APO NT calls for joint Territory/Commonwealth Board of Inquiry into Alcohol
* CAAMA: APO NT calls for joint Territory/Commonwealth Board of Inquiry into Alcohol [Featuring John Paterson, APO NT]
* APO NT: Not under the influence of evidence: A sober critique of the Alcohol Mandatory Treatment Bill
* APO NT: Bite the bullet and drop the Bill - and talk now!
* Claire Mackay, ABC 7.30 NT Video: Changes to mandatory alcohol rehab [Featuring John Paterson, APO NT]
* SNAICC News: Our Children Our Dreaming: A call for a just approach for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families
* SNAICC News: SNAICC 5th National Conference in Cairns well received!
* NACCHO political alert: One size does not fit all with Aboriginal policy
* NACCHO news: Aboriginal Families Study: a population-based study keeping community and policy goals in mind
* Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Western Australia undermines Closing the Health Gap
* Bridie Jabour, The Guardian: Western Australia will go it alone to close Indigenous health gap
* Mike Bowden, Eureka Street: The Catholic Church's toll on Aboriginal Australia
* Meg Perkins, The Courier-Mail: Power, not prohibition, is key for indigenous communities
* Other Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing News
* APO NT: APO NT CALLS FOR JOINT TERRITORY/COMMONWEALTH BOARD OF INQUIRY INTO ALCOHOL
- Media Release
APO NT: APO NT calls for joint Territory/Commonwealth Board of Inquiry into Alcohol
[APO NT: Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the Northern Territory]
APO NT: http://apont.org.au/attachments/article/45/130626-Media%20Release-APO%20...
NACCHO: http://nacchocommunique.com/2013/06/27/naccho-health-news-aboriginal-pea...
26 Jun 13: "Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the NT (APO NT) today called for a joint Territory/Commonwealth government Board of Inquiry into Alcohol in the Northern Territory to provide a roadmap for action by communities, professionals, and Government to work together to solve the problems of alcohol related harm in our communities.
"Alcohol related harm is killing our people, and we urgently need an evidence-based approach on how to make real change," said APO NT spokesperson John Paterson.
"The way forward must be based on alcohol policy evidence not politics."
This is a chance for both governments to dump the politics and work together to solve a social crisis which is killing our people, destroying our families and damaging the wider community.
The proposed terms of reference for the Inquiry are framed to provide the data and evidence that is needed to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based blueprint for tackling alcohol harm. They will provide for the development of recommendations that include effective alcohol supply controls as well as strong preventative and early intervention measures that address harm minimisation and the need to reduce the demand for alcohol consumption. ... "
Welcome to APO NT:
[scroll down page] http://apont.org.au/
"Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory-APO NT-is an alliance comprising the Central Land Council (CLC), Northern Land Council (NLC), North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA), Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service (CAALAS) and the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the NT (AMSANT). The alliance was created to provide a more effective response to key issues of joint interest and concern affecting Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory, including through advocating practical policy solutions to government."
* CAAMA: APO NT CALLS FOR JOINT TERRITORY/COMMONWEALTH BOARD OF INQUIRY INTO ALCOHOL [FEATURING JOHN PATERSON, APO NT]
- Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association: APO NT calls for joint Territory/Commonwealth Board of Inquiry into Alcohol
http://caama.com.au/apo-nt-calls-for-joint-territorycommonwealth-board-o...
27 Jun 13: "The controversial mandatory rehabilitation scheme is set to begin in the Northern Territory next week. Repeat problem drinkers will be required to undertake, alcohol mandatory treatment, if they are taken into protective custody three times in two months. Critics have labeled this reform as punitive, discriminatory and lacking evidence. The Aboriginal Peak Organisations (APO) of the NT has called or a joint Territory/Commonwealth Government Board of Inquiry into Alcohol in the Northern Territory. Spokesman for APO NT John Paterson, outlined the proposed terms of reference for the Board of Inquiry into Alcohol consumption and harm in the Northern Territory."
- Related Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
http://caama.com.au/radio#tabs-6
http://caama.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/27-06-am.mp3
27 Jun 13: "Peak Northern Territory Aboriginal organisations have called for a joint Territory/Commonwealth Government Board of Inquiry into alcohol."
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
http://caama.com.au/radio#tabs-6
http://caama.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/am-28-06.mp3
28 Jun 13: "Peak Aboriginal organisations say they must be supported by Government to develop programs which tackle alcohol abuse."
* APO NT: NOT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF EVIDENCE: A SOBER CRITIQUE OF THE ALCOHOL MANDATORY TREATMENT BILL
- Submission
APO NT: Not under the influence of evidence: A sober critique of the Alcohol Mandatory Treatment Bill
APO NT Submission on the NT Alcohol Mandatory Treatment Bill
[APO NT: Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the Northern Territory]
APO NT: http://apont.org.au/attachments/article/45/130531%20-%20APO%20NT%20Submi...
NACCHO: http://nacchocommunique.com/2013/06/13/naccho-health-news-not-under-the-...
May 2013: "Introduction:
APO NT does not support passage of the Alcohol Mandatory Treatment Bill (the Bill). Our organisations do not agree with key assumptions which underpin the Bill. We do not agree that mandatory treatment as provided for in this bill is an effective way to assist in reducing alcohol related harm in the NT. The mandatory rehabilitation scheme outlined in the Bill is not based on the best available evidence about what is effective to address alcohol dependence. The measures contained in the Bill will not be cost effective and will not work."
APO NT: Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the Northern Territory
Appendix A: Cycle of trauma and substance abuse following colonisation
http://apont.org.au/attachments/article/45/Appendix%20A%20-%20Cycle%20of...
* APO NT: BITE THE BULLET AND DROP THE BILL - AND TALK NOW!
- Media Release
APO NT: Bite the bullet and drop the Bill - and talk now!
[APO NT: Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the Northern Territory]
http://apont.org.au/attachments/article/45/130613%20-%20APONT%20Media%20...
13 Jun 13: "The Northern Territory Government should immediately withdraw its proposed Mandatory Rehabilitation Bill and get down to the evidence rather than tinkering with a fatally flawed approach to alcohol abuse, John Paterson, spokesperson for the Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT (APO NT) said today.
"The Chief Minister and his colleagues have been pursuing a path that has no evidence, and no credible support," said Mr Paterson.
"The amendments released by Minister Lambley this morning fail to address many of our concerns, and will only serve to prop up a scheme that is fatally flawed. This legislation affecting Aboriginal Territorians has too many unanswered questions. ...
"We call on our Chief Minister to bite the bullet and drop the Bill, and call an urgent summit to discuss ways forward, beginning with point of sale controls. Without addressing supply issues, we will not tackle alcohol abuse. ... "
* CLAIRE MACKAY, ABC 7.30 NT VIDEO: CHANGES TO MANDATORY ALCOHOL REHAB [FEATURING JOHN PATERSON, APO NT]
- Video
ABC News: Changes to mandatory alcohol rehab
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-14/changes-to-mandatory-alcohol-rehab...
14 Jun 13: "John Paterson from Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the NT says the government's watering down of mandatory rehab laws don't go far enough." Claire Mackay, Source: 7.30 NT
* SNAICC NEWS: OUR CHILDREN OUR DREAMING: A CALL FOR A JUST APPROACH FOR ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
- News
SNAICC News: Our Children Our Dreaming: A call for a just approach for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families
[SNAICC: Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care]
http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/fx-view-article.cfm?loadref=32&id=1111
25 Jun 13: "The Healing Foundation, Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak Ltd (QATICCP), The Aboriginal Child, Family and Community Care State Secretariat (AbSec) and the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) have published a discussion paper examining the continued overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children Australia’s child protection system."
- Related Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
http://caama.com.au/radio#tabs-6
http://caama.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/am-28-06.mp3
28 Jun 13: "The Northern Territory Minister for children and Families, Alison Anderson, has accused the Opposition of fear mongering over child protection and says she spends most of her time fixing issues that are a result of the former governments mismanagement."
* SNAICC NEWS: SNAICC 5TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN CAIRNS WELL RECEIVED!
- News
SNAICC News: SNAICC 5th National Conference in Cairns well received!
[SNAICC: Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care]
http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/fx-view-article.cfm?loadref=32&id=1114
27 Jun 13: "The 5th SNAICC National Conference 'was a great success. A comprehensive conference report and footage of some of our keynote presentations will also be available to view in the coming months. ... The 5th SNAICC National Conference 'Four Our Children: Living and Learning Together' was held in Cairns from 4-6 June. Over 1100 delegates attended what has been the largest SNAICC conference we have undertaken so far. Inspiring keynote presenters included Marta Mauras Perez, Professor Cindy Blackstock, Professor Cynthia Kiro, Professor Judy Atkinson, Kathy Guthadjaka (Gotha), Krista McMeekein and April Long."
* NACCHO POLITICAL ALERT: ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL WITH ABORIGINAL POLICY
- News
NACCHO political alert: One size does not fit all with Aboriginal policy
[NACCHO: National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation]
http://nacchocommunique.com/2013/06/26/naccho-political-alert-one-size-d...
26 Jun 13: "Unfortunately much of the public debate around Aboriginal policy is far too often concentrated in the northern parts of Australia. While there is no denying that there are some common health and education issues in indigenous communities across the whole of the country, policy cannot be set based on just that experience."
"Rather than setting Aboriginal policy to suit political cycles, our leaders should take the time to understand how differences can set long term outcomes writes Don MacAskill. [CEO of Awabakal Newcastle Aboriginal Co-operative] Since the Federal Budget in May there has been much said from all sides of the political spectrum about the fact that one size does not fit all when it comes to Aboriginal Affairs."
* NACCHO NEWS: ABORIGINAL FAMILIES STUDY: A POPULATION-BASED STUDY KEEPING COMMUNITY AND POLICY GOALS IN MIND
- News
NACCHO news: Aboriginal Families Study: a population-based study keeping community and policy goals in mind
[NACCHO: National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation]
http://nacchocommunique.com/2013/06/25/naccho-news-aboriginal-families-s...
25 Jun 13: "DOWNLOAD the STUDY HERE
Abstract:
Background: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are between two to five times more likely to die in childbirth than non-Aboriginal women, and two to three times more likely to have a low birthweight infant. Babies with a low birthweight are more likely to have chronic health problems in adult life. Currently, there is limited research evidence regarding effective interventions to inform new initiatives to strengthen antenatal care for Aboriginal families."
* GERRY GEORGATOS, THE STRINGER: WESTERN AUSTRALIA UNDERMINES CLOSING THE HEALTH GAP
- Analysis / Opinion
The Stringer: Western Australia undermines Closing the Health Gap
http://thestringer.com.au/western-australia-undermines-closing-the-healt...
27 Jun 13: "Indigenous Health Minister Warren Snowdon has not been able to commit all the States and Territories to the Closing the Gap initiatives. It was important for the Commonwealth to do so because with the prospect of the Federal Government’s demise electorally the Coalition is crafting new initiatives to manage Aboriginal Australia. The Coalition is bent on whole-of-government approaches to Aboriginal Affairs with a future Prime Minister Abbott and the Premiers taking great responsibility with Aboriginal funding arrangements. The aim will be for more merit-based programs, and not to fund affirmative action programs as in the Close the Gap initiatives." By Gerry Georgatos, a life-long human rights and social justice campaigner, a multi-award winning investigative journalist
- Related News
Kiama Independent-Lake Times: Closing the health gap
http://www.kiamaindependent.com.au/story/1593391/closing-the-health-gap/...
24 Jun 13: "AT 35 years of age, Dale Wright of the Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service doesn't expect the life expectancy gap between indigenous and other Australians to be closed within his lifetime. However, the Aboriginal health worker and elders such as Uncle Gerald Brown recognise the importance doing all they can to help indigenous Australians live longer. "We are Aboriginal men first," Barrack Heights resident Uncle Gerald said. "We need to try and keep our people alive a lot longer."" By Brendan Crabb
The Australian: States lag on funds for closing the gap
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/indigenous/states-lag-o...
26 Jun 13: "INDIGENOUS Health Minister Warren Snowdon has warned that the nation's commitment to close the health gap between black and white Australia is being put at risk by state and territory governments failing to sign on six days before it starts. Only the Victorian government has put its investment on the table and The Australian can reveal it will offer $61.7 million over four years as part of its ongoing commitment to the life of the next three-year National Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap." Patricia Karvelas
* BRIDIE JABOUR, THE GUARDIAN: WESTERN AUSTRALIA WILL GO IT ALONE TO CLOSE INDIGENOUS HEALTH GAP
- News
The Guardian UK: Western Australia will go it alone to close Indigenous health gap
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/25/aboriginal-health-western-au...
25 Jun 13: "WA government will fund initiatives itself rather than re-sign the federal Closing the Gap agreement ... Western Australia has refused to give in-principle support to re-signing the Closing the Gap Indigenous health agreement, instead announcing it will fund initiatives itself over the next year. In another blow to negotiations with the commonwealth, Western Australia has announced it is going it alone with $31 million of funding over the next year to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people, without re-signing the agreement." Bridie Jabour, a reporter for Guardian Australia
* MIKE BOWDEN, EUREKA STREET: THE CATHOLIC CHURCH'S TOLL ON ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIA
- Analysis / Opinion
Eureka Street: The Catholic Church's toll on Aboriginal Australia
http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=36705#.UcujXpwVdk0
24 Jun 13: "Public confidence in the Catholic Church has eroded considerably. There are several reasons for this, but one for which it has failed to take much responsibility is its failure in regard to Indigenous affairs. Not just the part it played in the Stolen Generations, but also its role in the destruction of Aboriginal cultural integrity and language. Present members of missionary orders, when writing up the story of their predecessors, tend to present these pioneer missionaries as enlightened men and women suffering hardship to spread the gospel." Mike Bowden
* MEG PERKINS, THE COURIER-MAIL: POWER, NOT PROHIBITION, IS KEY FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
- Analysis / Opinion
The Courier-Mail: Power, not prohibition, is key for indigenous communities
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/power-not-prohibition-is-key-...
24 Jun 13: "THE latest decision by the High Court of Australia upholds the legitimacy of alcohol management plans, which are bitterly resented by some indigenous people. Premier Campbell Newman says prohibition won't work. Instead, he says: "We've got to target behaviour, not lay down (the law)." When will Australia learn that "we" cannot target the behaviour of indigenous people?" Meg Perkins, registered psychologist
* OTHER ABORIGINAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING NEWS
- Audio
National Indigenous Radio Service: Last days of employment program CDEP
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/29447/Last-days-of-employment-p...
28 Jun 13: "Communities will undergo a major shift in employment policy next week as the Community Development Employment Projects, or CDEP, will be replaced by the new scheme, the Remote Jobs and Communities Program. ... economic policy expert Jon Altman, from the Australian National University, says the scrapping of CDEP is based on flawed thinking. Professor Altman says the policy has helped people contribute to their community where jobs don’t exist."
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
http://caama.com.au/radio#tabs-6
http://caama.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/am-26-06.mp3
26 Jun 13: "An expert in the field of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and well being says programs should be funded only if they could demonstrate meaningful community engagement and ownership."
National Indigenous Radio Service: Inquiry finds sports are crucial for improving well-being
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/29432/Inquiry-finds-sports-are-...
25 Jun 13: "There’ve been calls to get First Nations women and girls more involved in sports. A parliament inquiry has handed down its findings, saying involvement in sports is good for the well-being of Indigenous Australians and the Federal Government should do more to increase it."
National Indigenous Radio Service: Racism adds to alcohol and drug workers' stress
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/29433/Racism-adds-to-alcohol-an...
25 Jun 13: "A researcher from the Flinders University says racism adds to the challenges Indigenous drug and alcohol support workers face. Ann Roche authored a study on the well-being of AOD workers and found many are stressed, overworked and underpaid."
National Indigenous Radio Service: Mothers' oral health study results concerning
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/29435/Mothers%27-oral-health-st...
25 Jun 13: "In South Australia, a snapshot of the oral health of Aboriginal mothers has not come up as positive. The study, by the University of Adelaide, looked at nearly 450 women who were pregnant, had other children and identified as being of Aboriginal descent."
National Indigenous Radio Service: International expert backs calls for urgent child safety action
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/29439/International-expert-back...
25 Jun 13: "A retired United Nations children’s rights expert has backed calls for urgent changes in the Australian child protection system and says the public needs to be more aware of the issue. ... She [Marta Mauras Perez] says government must act on the large amounts of Indigenous children removed from their families for care."
National Indigenous Radio Service: Domestic violence has long-term effects on kids: NT Commissioner
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/29441/Domestic-violence-has-lon...
25 Jun 13: "The Northern Territory Children’s Commissioner says being exposed to family violence can have long-term negative impacts on kids. ... Commissioner Howard Bath says witnessing domestic violence can harm a child’s development."
The Wire: Empowering Indigenous communities to tackle suicide
Produced by Biwa Kwan
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=10503
24 Jun 13: "Aboriginal health workers behind programs targeting suicide prevention warn more needs to be done to ensure the money reaches culturally appropriate grassroots programs already working to prevent suicide in Aboriginal communities. Last week on the Wire, we looked at the outcome of the first meeting of the Aboriginal Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Advisory Group. In our continuing coverage on the issue, Biwa Kwan looks at a community-led project that has been running for several years in the Northern Territory and what lessons could be applied from that to this national strategy. If you or someone you know needs help call Lifeline on 13 11 14."
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WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)