Newsletter date: 1 August 2013
Contents:
* Paddy Gibson, Solidarity Online: Entrenching the NT Intervention: what happened to the resistance?
* German Language: Artikel fuer Amnesty International Rundbrief Juli 2013: Sechster Jahrestag der NT Intervention
* Sally Brooks, ABC Indigenous: Federal intervention 'demonised' Aboriginal men
* Senator Rachel Siewert: Greens call for abandonment of income management
* Rollback the Intervention Audio: Marking six years of the NT Intervention: Rally in Bankstown, Sydney - NSW trial site for expanded Income Management regime
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Background to 'Stronger Futures' new NT Intervention laws
* CAAMA Radio interviews Frank Hytten, CEO of SNAICC: Peak body challenges media claims that culture is placing Aboriginal children at risk
* Statement by Sharron Williams, Chairperson of SNAICC: Poverty, not Aboriginal culture, is the real issue
* SNAICC News: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle: Aims and Core Elements - Briefing Paper
* Background to 'Keeping Them Home': Campaign against Forced Aboriginal Adoption in the NT
* NIRS: Australia's First Nations Party
* Central Land Council (CLC): NT must block oil and gas exploration in Watarrka National Park
* CAAMA Radio's Paul Wiles interviews Warren Snowden, Federal Minister for Indigenous Health: Increase support for mental illness in remote Northern Territory communities
* CAAMA Radio interviews Alison Anderson, NT Minister for Regional Development: New funding formula for homelands in the Northern Territory
* CAAMA Radio interviews Aboriginal rights campaigner Michael Mansell: Political parties displaying an inhumane response to asylum seekers
* PADDY GIBSON, SOLIDARITY ONLINE: ENTRENCHING THE NT INTERVENTION: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE RESISTANCE?
- Analysis / Opinion
Solidarity Online: Entrenching the NT Intervention: what happened to the resistance?
http://www.solidarity.net.au/58/entrenching-the-nt-intervention-what-hap...
July 2013: "Paddy Gibson looks at how the ruthless imposition of Intervention measures in the NT has undermined resistance, and what this means for the future. The NT Intervention (Northern Territory Intervention Response, NTER) was launched by Liberal Prime Minister John Howard just before his final election campaign in 2007. It was an attempt at a final dispossession, to sweep away the "Aboriginal problem" and to bury the idea Aboriginal self-determination. ... In the NT where the Commonwealth can exercise direct control he planned to smash Aboriginal organisations and disperse Aboriginal communities living on their land. He ripped up the Land Rights Act. He announced the abolition of CDEP, an employment program employing 7500 Aboriginal people, which had been just enough to keep remote communities functioning." By Paddy Gibson
* GERMAN LANGAUGE: ARTIKEL FUER AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL RUNDBRIEF JULI 2013: SECHSTER JAHRESTAG DER NT INTERVENTION
Analysis / Opinion
Artikel fuer Amnesty International Rundbrief Juli 2013: Sechster Jahrestag der NT Intervention
- uebersetzt er Auszug / Zusammenfassung aus dem Dokument 'STRIKING THE WRONG NOTE"
Respect and Listen: http://www.respectandlisten.org/uploads/downloads/NT_Intervention/NT-Int...
Juli 2013: "Der psychologischen Auswirkung der Intervention auf die Ureinwohner wurde wenig Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt. Bereits vor der Intervention 2007 hat es einen Meinungswechsel der Regierung gegeben - Selbstbestimmung und Kontrolle der Ureinwohner ueber ihr Land waren im Gegensatz zu frueheren Regierungen nicht mehr akzeptabel. Der Plan ist nach wie vor die Homelands zu "leeren", d.h. die Ureinwohner von ihren Homelands zu vertreiben und ihren Gemeinden Kontrolle wegzunehmen. Diese Taktik musste so dargestellt werden – mit welchen Mitteln auch immer - dass die Oeffentlichkeit dieser Vorgehensweise zustimmt und glaubt dies sei zum Besten der Ureinwohner. So begann die Kampagne zur Diskreditierung der Ureinwohner und Stigmatisierung der Maenner im Northern Territory (Nordterritorium). Es wurde zunaechst von einem Minister oeffentlich in Radio und Fernsehen behauptet, dass alle maennlichen Ureinwohner in paedophile Aktivitaeten verwickelt seien, und dass es in jeder Gemeinde Pedophilenringe gaebe. ...
Es gibt ein gewisses Zoegern den zentralen Punkt fuer das Recht auf Ureinwohnerintegritaet anzugehen: Das Recht der Ureinwohner ihre Zukunft selbst zu bestimmen, das Recht auf ihre Kultur und auf ihrem Land zu leben. Die Intervention war und ist fuer Australien ein weiterer Rueckschritt in den Morast von Enteignung und Unehrlichkeit."
Fuer mehr Info und den gesamten Artikel "Striking the wrong note": http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/#6TH_ANNIVERSARY und http://www.respectandlisten.org/
* SALLY BROOKS, ABC INDIGENOUS: FEDERAL INTERVENTION 'DEMONISED' ABORIGINAL MEN
- News
ABC Indigenous: Federal intervention 'demonised' Aboriginal men
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-18/aboriginal-leader-des-rogers-on-fe...
19 Jul 13: "An Aboriginal leader says the federal intervention into remote Northern Territory communities has done more harm than good. Central Australian Aboriginal Congress deputy chief executive officer Des Rogers is one of the organisers of a male health summit taking place this week at Ross River, east of Alice Springs. About 130 Indigenous men from across Australia are attending the event. In response to questions about the intervention, Mr Rogers pointed to the findings of the Territory Children's Commissioner that the intervention had not led to an increase in the prosecution of perpetrators of sexual abuse of Aboriginal children in remote communities." By Sally Brooks
* SENATOR RACHEL SIEWERT: GREENS CALL FOR ABANDONMENT OF INCOME MANAGEMENT
- Media Release
Greens Senator Rachel Siewert: Greens call for abandonment of income management
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/greens-cal...
29 Jul 13: "Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Issues
The Australian Greens have called for the expensive and wasteful regime of income management to be abandoned as a new Monash University report questions the evaluations that have been used to justify the policy's expansion.
"Reports such as this provide us with an insight into income management that the Government is unable or unwilling to provide," Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
"By its nature, income management targets deeply vulnerable people, and there are serious doubts about its long term effectiveness.
"Since income management began under the NT Intervention and was expanded under Stronger Futures, the Government has been notorious for delaying the release of reports, spinning the numbers and avoiding proper scrutiny of their policies.
"Despite this, income management has been expanded through Stronger Futures without adequate consultation and it continues to rack up a hefty cost to the taxpayer. ...
"The Greens support a direct investment in programs and communities that address the underlying causes of disadvantages people are facing. There's no evidence to suggest income management does this over the long term," Senator Siewert concluded."
* ROLLBACK THE INTERVENTION AUDIO: MARKING SIX YEARS OF THE NT INTERVENTION: RALLY IN BANKSTOWN, SYDNEY - NSW TRIAL SITE FOR EXPANDED INCOME MANAGEMENT REGIME
- Audio
Rollback the Intervention Audio: Marking six years of the NT Intervention: Rally in Bankstown, Sydney - NSW trial site for expanded Income Management regime
http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/audio/
http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/
22 Jun 13: "Following are unedited recordings from public rallies, events and interviews. Please contact rollbacktheintervention@gmail.com if you wish to use any statements from these recordings and appropriate permission will be sought. ...
* Acknowledgement and opening remarks: Sue Gillett (STICS) and Lola Simmons ...
* Paddy Gibson, Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney (STICS) ...
* Kylie Sambo, Tennant Creek (NT) youth leader living with Income Management ...
* Maree O’Halloran, Director, National Welfare Rights Network ...
* Sue Gillett noting Public Service Association (PSA) NSW ban on referrals to compulsory Income Management ...
* Wafa Ibrahim-Arab Council Australia ...
* Pam Batkin, Woodville Community Centre CEO ... "
- Related Video
ABC News: Bankstown trial of BasicsCard meets mile-stone
Source: 7.30 New South Wales
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-12/bankstown-trial-of-basicscard-meet...
12 Jul 13: "Managing the income of people on welfare has been a controversial but necessary program, according to the federal government. Now 12 months into a pilot scheme in Bankstown in sydney's south west, the program is expanding, despite the reservations of critics and protestors."
- Related News
ABC News: Suffering lingers beyond years of NT intervention
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-16/child-sex-abuse-report-dr-howard-b...
16 Jul 13: "The Northern Territory Children's Commissioner says there has been little change in the number of people convicted of sexually abusing children in remote communities since the federal intervention. The National Emergency Response was imposed by the Howard government in 2007 following the release of the 'Little Children Are Sacred' report, ... Children's Commissioner Dr Howard Bath has found the changes since then have not been dramatic, despite indications of a slight improvement in the general wellbeing of children in remote communities." By Melanie Arnost
ABC News: $150m 'diversion' of federal funds disputed
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-17/adam-giles-on-federal-funds-divert...
17 Jul 13: "Chief Minister Adam Giles says he is unaware of figures from Children's Commissioner Howard Bath that show successive Northern Territory Governments have diverted about $150 million away from programs earmarked to tackle Indigenous disadvantage in remote areas. Dr Bath says the Territory has diverted all but $70 million of $220 million in federal funding for the programs to mainstream services. Mr Giles says Dr Bath's figures are news to him. He says a lot of money for Indigenous issues comes through the Commonwealth's Stronger Futures legislation." By Sally Brooks
- Related Audio
National Indigenous Radio Service: Redirected remote funds unknown to Giles
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/29589/Redirected-remote-funds-u...
18 Jul 13: "By ABC: To the Northern Territory, the Chief Minister says he's unaware of figures showing Territory Governments over the years have diverted funding away from tackling remote disadvantage."
* BACKGROUND TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION:
Last updated: 8 July 2013
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-northern-territory-...
* BACKGROUND TO 'STRONGER FUTURES' NEW NT INTERVENTION LAWS:
Last updated: 8 July 2013
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-stronger-futures-new-nt...
* CAAMA RADIO INTERVIEWS FRANK HYTTEN, CEO OF SNAICC: PEAK BODY CHALLENGES MEDIA CLAIMS THAT CULTURE IS PLACING ABORIGINAL CHILDREN AT RISK
- Audio Interview
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association: Peak body challenges media claims that culture is placing Aboriginal children at risk
http://caama.com.au/peak-body-challenges-media-claims-that-culture-is-pl...
29 Jul 13: "The placement principle states that if an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child is removed from their birth family, the preferred order is: they are first placed with the child’s extended family; second, to the child’s indigenous community; and finally to other indigenous people. The principle has been developed in order to protect children from the devastating impacts from previous practices in Australia’s history. Frank Hytten, from SNAICC [Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care], Australia’s peak body representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, is concerned by the recent negative media coverage as a result of the NT Chief Minister’s comments."
- Related Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
http://caama.com.au/radio#tabs-6
http://caama.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/am-26-071.mp3
26 Jul 13: "The country’s peak representative body for Aboriginal and Islander children and families says it is concerned with recent negative media coverage, following comments by NT Chief Magistrate Hilary Hannam, about the Aboriginal and Islander Child Placement Principle."
* STATEMENT BY SHARRON WILLIAMS, CHAIRPERSON OF SNAICC: POVERTY, NOT ABORIGINAL CULTURE, IS THE REAL ISSUE
- Media Release
SNAICC News: Media Release 25 July 2013 - Poverty, not Aboriginal culture, is the real issue
[SNAICC: Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care]
http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/fx-view-article.cfm?loadref=32&id=1148
http://www.snaicc.org.au/_uploads/rsfil/03190.pdf
26 Jul 13: "Statement by Sharron Williams, Chairperson of SNAICC
SNAICC is concerned with some recent negative media coverage about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle, including articles quoting the NT Chief Magistrate Hilary Hannam.
According to these media items, application of the child placement principle is forcing child welfare authorities to favour cultural factors above the safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Even more disturbing have been the headlines and arguments that accuse - not for the first time - Aboriginal culture of placing children at risk.
These claims are misleading, insulting and undermine our people as well as efforts towards reconciliation.
Aboriginal culture does not expose children, or anyone else, to risk. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ connections to culture, country and community nurture and support their wellbeing, spirituality and identity.
The issues that are placing our children and families in vulnerable situations are not related to culture, but to inter-generational disadvantage. ... "
* SNAICC NEWS: ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER CHILD PLACEMENT PRINCIPLE: AIMS AND CORE ELEMENTS - BRIEFING PAPER
- Briefing Paper
SNAICC News: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle: Aims and Core Elements - Briefing Paper
[SNAICC: Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care]
http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/fx-view-article.cfm?loadref=32&id=1134
http://www.snaicc.org.au/_uploads/rsfil/03167.pdf
24 Jul 13: "The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (the Child Placement Principle) was developed to ensure that the child protection system recognises the importance of children staying connected to family, community, culture and country when decisions are made around placement of a child. While aspects of the Child Placement Principle have been adopted by each state and territory across Australia, there remains some misunderstanding around the meaning of the Principle and its application. This paper responds to this issue and the partial application of the Child Placement Principle. ... "
- Related News
National Indigenous Radio Service: Peak body wants country-wide Children's Commissioners
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/29639/Peak-body-wants-country-w...
25 Jul 13: "A peak child protection body for our communities [Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care] has called on state and territory governments to follow Victoria's lead in appointing an Aboriginal Children's Commissioner. The state recently appointed Andrew Jackomos and in doing so, Victoria became the first Australian jurisdiction to have the role."
- Related Interviews
Green Left: Stolen generations provokes new clothes project
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/54419
1 Jul 13: "June Mills is a Larrakia woman, activist, musician and artist, who has family connections to Kahlin. ... Mills spoke to Green Left Weekly's Emma Murphy about the project. ...
How do you feel about recent comments from Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles, about culture not being an important consideration in terms of putting Aboriginal children into adopted families?
I can't even relate to what's coming out of his mouth. I am shock and disappointed in the statements he is making. To be quite frank, I expected more from an Indigenous chief minister." By Emma Murphy, GLW author
SBS Living Black: Fostering Aboriginal Children Permanently
By Marc Tong
http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/aboriginal/highlight/page/id/277600/t...
16 Jul 13: "Northern Territory Minister for Children and Families Alison Anderson explains the differences between permanent foster care and adoption. ... The fostering of neglected and abused Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory will soon have new permanent guardianship orders in the Territory's upcoming child protection reforms. Permanent Care Special Guardianship Orders will be included in the Territory's Care and Protection of Children Act, as the final resolve in a three step approach in an attempt to bring stability to children in the system. ... Alison Anderson is the NT Minister for Children and Families. She's speaking with Marc Tong."
* BACKGROUND TO 'KEEPING THEM HOME': CAMPAIGN AGAINST FORCED ABORIGINAL ADOPTION IN THE NT
Last updated: 24 July 2013
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/07/03/background-to-keeping-them-home-campa...
* NIRS: AUSTRALIA'S FIRST NATIONS PARTY
- Audio
National Indigenous Radio Service: Australia's First Nations Party
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/29665/Australia%92s-First-Natio...
29 Jul 13: "By Gerry Georgatos: To the far north - The 'Australia's First Nations Party' has already announced its Senate candidate in Alywarr and Amnatyerr elder Rosalie Kunoth-Monks. The party is not just targeting the Senate Upper House. They're also challenging the Lower House taking on the Labour seat of Lingiari. Anmatjere/West Aranda/Walpiri linguist Kenny Lechleitner is the party candidate taking on Mr Snowden. He says he'll be playing the party, not the man. ... "
* CENTRAL LAND COUNCIL (CLC): NT MUST BLOCK OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION IN WATARRKA NATIONAL PARK
- Media Release
Central Land Council (CLC): NT must block oil and gas exploration in Watarrka National Park
http://www.clc.org.au/media-releases/article/nt-must-block-oil-and-gas-e...
31 Jul 13: "Traditional owners of Watarrka National Park are strongly opposed to an application by Palatine Energy Pty Ltd to begin oil and gas exploration in the Park and are demanding that the NT Cabinet block it.
The traditional owners told Central Land Council staff at a meeting in March this year that they are concerned about the impacts on the cultural values and flora and fauna of the Park and are strongly and unconditionally opposed to any exploration in the Park.
Traditional owners have a duty to protect the unique values of the Park under joint management legislation and through traditional cultural obligations. A large number of groups are associated with the Park and the traditional owners have obligations to them as well.
The Park hosts many significant cultural sites, is a renowned tourist destination and supports a rich and diverse number of species and habitats. A number of threatened species are found there also.
The traditional owners also said they had worked hard to get small tourist businesses off the ground and the Park provided jobs and opportunities for their young people. ... "
* CAAMA RADIO'S PAUL WILES INTERVIEWS WARREN SNOWDEN, FEDERAL MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS HEALTH: INCREASE SUPPORT FOR MENTAL ILLNESS IN REMOTE NORTHERN TERRITORY COMMUNITIES
- Audio Interview
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association: Increase support for mental illness in remote Northern Territory communities
http://caama.com.au/increase-support-for-mental-illness-in-remote-northe...
24 Jul 13: "The Rudd Labour Government has reacknowledged the growing mental health and wellbeing issues amongst Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory. The announcement released yesterday, will mean that Aboriginal people living with mental illness in four remote Northern Territory communities, will soon have greater access to mental health support. Warren Snowden, Minister for Indigenous Health, spoke to Paul Wiles about the announcement."
* CAAMA RADIO INTERVIEWS ALISON ANDERSON, NT MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: NEW FUNDING FORMULA FOR HOMELANDS IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
- Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association: New funding formula for homelands in the Northern Territory
http://caama.com.au/new-funding-formula-for-homelands-in-the-northern-te...
19 Jul 13: "The Country Liberal Government in the Northern Territory has just recently designed a new funding formula for homelands, the focus being on equity. Eligible households on homelands and outstations are able to apply for $5,200 worth of works to their home. Applications for this year’s funding are open from 1 July 2013 until 31 August 2013. Minister for Regional Development, Alison Anderson spoke to CAAMA Radio about the scheme."
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
http://caama.com.au/radio#tabs-6
http://caama.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pm-16-7-13.mp3
16 Jul 13: "The Territory Country Liberals Government has announced a new funding formula for homelands which includes extra monetary support to help make them a viable place to live."
* CAAMA RADIO INTERVIEWS ABORIGINAL RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER MICHAEL MANSELL: POLITICAL PARTIES DISPLAYING AN INHUMANE RESPONSE TO ASYLUM SEEKERS
- Audio Interview
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association: Political parties displaying an inhumane response to asylum seekers
http://caama.com.au/political-parties-displaying-an-inhumane-response-to...
30 Jul 13: "Tasmanian veteran Aboriginal rights campaigner, Michael Mansell says that his people welcome the asylum seekers on their land and that both major political parties are displaying an inhumane approach to the issue. Mr Mansell says the ancestors of Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott also came to Australia in boats and it is pretty certain, that neither of their families ever sought the permission from Aboriginal people to enter their country. Mr Mansell told CAAMA Radio it was hypocritical of the Prime Minister and Opposition leader to be talking about people from overseas, ... "
- Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
http://caama.com.au/radio#tabs-6
http://caama.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/am-30-07.mp3
30 Jul 13: "Tasmanian veteran Aboriginal rights campaigner Michael Mansell says that his people welcome asylum seekers on their land and that both major political parties are displaying an inhumane approach to the issue."
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http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/30/about-wgar-news-working-group-for-abo...
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WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)