WGAR News: A nation shamed when the solution for its children is homelessness: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer

Newsletter date: 30 December 2014

Contents:

* Personal Account: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: A nation shamed when the solution for its children is homelessness
* News: Shalailah Medhora, The Guardian: Homelessness advocacy groups lose $21m in federal government funding
* Media Release: Greens Senator Rachel Siewert: Funding cuts a cruel Christmas gift to the community sector
* Analysis / Opinion: Melissa Parke, The Guardian: Aboriginal people are entitled to be treated as human beings, not just as a fiscal problem
* Analysis / Opinion: Amnesty International Australia: "After the eviction, many community members were left homeless"
* Analysis / Opinion: Amnesty International Australia: A message from Rosalie, Alyawarr/Anmatyerr elder
* Statistical Summary: Jens Korff, Creative Spirits: Homelessness
* WGAR Background: Aboriginal Peoples and the impact of the Federal Budget
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA

WGAR News Public Google Group: https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en-GB#!forum/wgar-news
WGAR News - Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)

- Personal Account

The Stringer: A nation shamed when the solution for its children is homelessness
http://thestringer.com.au/a-nation-shamed-when-the-solution-for-its-chil...
27 Dec 14: "It is not often I am brought to tears but this morning I was bereft as I left behind a beautiful family of five who have been homeless for 9 months. They have been living in a single tent in bush on the northern outskirts of Perth. Four beautiful girls are homeless but in their loving mother’s vigilant care. Their bastion of hope, all their hope, rests in the dignity of remaining united. ... " By Gerry Georgatos, a life-long human rights and social justice campaigner, a multi-award winning investigative journalist

- News

The Guardian: Homelessness advocacy groups lose $21m in federal government funding
http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2014/dec/23/homelessness-advoc...
23 Dec 14: "Peak organisations told on Monday they would no longer receive funding, raising questions over whether voice of homeless people and sector will be lost ... Homelessness groups are facing an uncertain Christmas after the federal government reportedly pulled funding from a number of advocacy organisations. Several peak organisations that provide policy advice and research into homelessness and housing services received word from the Department of Social Services on Monday that they would no longer receive funding. ... " Shalailah Medhora, a reporter for Guardian Australia

- Media Release

Greens Senator Rachel Siewert: Funding cuts a cruel Christmas gift to the community sector
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/funding-cu...
22 Dec 14: "The Australian Greens said today that we are seeing further evidence of Abbott's desire to dismantle our social services sector, with a number of peak bodies, particularly outspoken, advocacy bodies learning that they have been defunded as part of the $240 million budget cuts to social services.
"We are hearing today that services are receiving calls informing them of the cancellation of funding, in some cases with very short effect," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on family and community services said today.
"It is already clear that key housing and homelessness services including Community Housing Federation of Australia and the National Shelter and Homelessness Australia, along with financial counselling services will be affected, some as early as February. $21m over 4 years has been stripped from research, peak bodies, innovative projects, emerging priorities and policy advice on how to improve housing affordability for all Australians.
"We've known that cuts were coming, but for organisations to hear the news that their funding has been cut just days before Christmas is very cruel. This inflicts maximum chaos and undermines the sector's advocacy on behalf of vulnerable Australians. ... ""

- Analysis / Opinion

The Guardian: Aboriginal people are entitled to be treated as human beings, not just as a fiscal problem
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/dec/09/aboriginal-people-a...
9 Dec 14: "The planned closure of 150 remote Indigenous communities will have devastating consequences. The reason behind it is hypocritical in the extreme ... Before last year’s federal election, Tony Abbott promised he would be "a prime minister for Aboriginal affairs. The first I imagine that we have ever had." The Coalition also promised to "continue the current level of funding expended on Closing the Gap activities." Instead, the first budget of the Abbott government cut $500m directly from Indigenous affairs. ... " Melissa Parke, the Labor member for Fremantle

- Analysis / Opinion

Amnesty International Australia: WA Government must stop Oombulgurri demolitions after forcibly evicting community members
http://www.amnesty.org.au/news/comments/35607/
23 Sep 14: "Forced eviction: Amnesty International sent a team to the East Kimberley earlier this month to gather evidence and residents’ testimonies. Based on these testimonies, there is evidence the residents were victims of forced eviction as defined by international law. ... Homelessness, overcrowding: After the eviction, many community members were left homeless and even now some do not have appropriate accommodation or are living in overcrowded housing in the neighbouring town of Wyndham. ... "

- Analysis / Opinion

Amnesty International Australia: A message from Rosalie, Alyawarr/Anmatyerr elder
http://www.amnesty.org.au/indigenous-rights/comments/26142
5 Jul 11: "To the Alyawarr people, the land owning you means that through your song lines, you've got to know which part of the land owns you and where you are responsible for the wellbeing of that earth...Let me assure anybody who cares for the Aboriginal people of Australia that once we are moved from our place of origin, we will not only lose our identity, we will die a traumatised tragic end." Rosalie Kunoth-Monks
"It seems sentimental and - I can't find the other word in English - about attachment to the land. It's not attachment to the land, it's survival of a cultural practice that is still alive in spite of what has been thrown at it. We need to stop the destruction of the oldest living culture in the world."

- Statistical Summary

Creative Spirits: Homelessness
http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/land/aboriginal-houses...
" ... Aboriginal people can suffer from spiritual homelessness, a term which describes dispossession and forced removal from homelands and family. ... " Jens Korff

- Background

WGAR Background: Aboriginal Peoples and the impact of the Federal Budget
https://indymedia.org.au/2014/12/24/wgar-background-aboriginal-peoples-a...
(last updated: 24 December 2014)

- Background

WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA
https://indymedia.org.au/2014/12/08/background-plans-to-close-aboriginal...
(last updated: 24 December 2014)

- - -

WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)

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WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)

Comments

WGAR News: Forrest review of Aboriginal welfare: the good, the bad...and the very ugly: Land Rights News - Central Australia

https://indymedia.org.au/2015/01/03/wgar-news-forrest-review-of-aborigin...

Contents:

* Audio Interview: Minelle Creed, Living Black Radio: Brisbane Food Van [Featuring Wayne 'Coco' Wharton, Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy (BASE)]
* Submission: Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory (APO NT): The proposed Government budget cuts to Aboriginal services
* News: Central Land Council: Land Rights News - Central Australia: Battle rages against budget pain
* Analysis / Opinion: Central Land Council: Land Rights News - Central Australia: Forrest review of Aboriginal welfare: the good, the bad ... and the very ugly
* Analysis / Opinion: Antinuclear: Australian government's budget cuts threaten remote Aboriginal communities
* Analysis / Opinion: Calla Wahlquist, The Guardian: Mining royalties may save WA's remote Indigenous communities from closure
* WGAR Background: Aboriginal Peoples and the impact of the Federal Budget
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA

WGAR News: Closure of remote communities devastates residents: Miranda Wood, Red Flag Newspaper

https://indymedia.org.au/2015/02/14/wgar-news-closure-of-remote-communit...

Contents:

* Change.org Petition: Saving Aboriginal communities: Stop Colin Barnett premier of Western Australia
* Video: Eleanor Gilbert, Vimeo: Gerry Georgatos discusses the closure of WA Aboriginal homelands with Hugh Riminton
* Analysis / Opinion: Miranda Wood, Red Flag Newspaper: Closure of remote communities devastates residents
* Analysis / Opinion: Jessica Lukjanow, Global Research: Australia May Stop Providing Water and Power to Remote Aboriginal Communities
* Analysis / Opinion: Ben Collins, ABC Kimberley: Indigenous community closures: essential service uncertainty
* Video: NITV News: Planned Closure of WA Communities Highlights WA's Poor Contribution to Closing the Gap
* News: Calla Wahlquist, The Guardian: WA premier withdraws royalties help for struggling Aboriginal communities
* News: Sydney Morning Herald: Spend 'to save WA Aboriginal communities'
* News: Vicky Validakis, Australian Mining: Mining not dead in WA
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA

WGAR News: Jennifer Kaeshagen sets up The First Nations Homelessness Project: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer

https://indymedia.org.au/2015/02/23/wgar-news-jennifer-kaeshagen-sets-up...

Contents:

* News Analysis: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Jennifer Kaeshagen sets up The First Nations Homelessness Project
* Analysis / Opinion: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: 8 little children on the streets; youngest less than 30 days old
* News Analysis: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Eleventh hour; family housed but others still waiting
* Analysis / Opinion: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: A nation shamed when the solution for its children is homelessness
* News Analysis: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Government racism razes Swan Valley Nyungah Community
* Background: WGAR News: Bella Bropho of the Swan Valley Nyungah Community: Perth Indymedia Radio Show

WGAR News: Djurin Refugee Camp - Nyoongar People Speak Out about Homelessness: Eleanor Gilbert, Vimeo

https://indymedia.org.au/2015/03/10/wgar-news-djurin-refugee-camp-nyoong...

Contents:

* Video: NITV News: Refugees In Their Own Country - Noongars Protest Against Remote Community Closures
* Video: Eleanor Gilbert, Vimeo: 1 March 2015 Djurin Refugee Camp - Nyoongar People Speak Out about Homelessness
* Analysis / Opinion: Ray Jackson, Redfern-Waterloo Community Action: community shutdowns, wa.
* Analysis / Opinion: Miranda Wood, Red Flag: Activists set up camp in WA
* Analysis / Opinion: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Refugee camp thanks its founders with corroborree
* Video: Yahoo: Protestors stay put on Heirisson

* Analysis / Opinion: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Premier Barnett, how dare you? - "appalling mistreatment of children"
* Video: NITV News: Colin Barnett a No-show at Kimberley Land Council's Alliance Meeting

* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA
* WGAR Background to the Aboriginal Sovereignty Movement

WGAR News: White cops, Black victims - Perth is to Western Australia, what Birmingham was to Alabama: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer

https://indymedia.org.au/2015/04/25/wgar-news-white-cops-black-victims-p...

Contents:

* News Analysis: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: White cops, Black victims - Perth is to Western Australia, what Birmingham was to Alabama

* Facebook: The Stringer: "Official statement from Elder Bella Bropho, of the Matargarup First Nations Refugee Camp (Heirisson Island, Perth ... )"

* Video: Network Ten: Forced closure rally
* News & Video: Sky News: Protesters clash with police at WA rally
* News & Video: Phil Hickey, Perth Now: Heirisson Island camp Indigenous leaders protest at State Parliament
* News: Brendan Foster, WA Today: Parliament House protest: ugly scenes as police make arrests

* Event Poster: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia, facebook: "We would like to confirm that that 2nd National Call of Action will be held Friday 1st May 2015."
* Facebook: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia: https://www.facebook.com/sosblakaustralia

* WGAR Background to the Aboriginal Sovereignty Movement
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA

WGAR News: International exposure: Rallies throughout Australia protesting closure of Aboriginal homelands / remote communities

https://indymedia.org.au/2015/03/25/wgar-news-international-exposure-ral...

Contents:

* Video: NITV News: Support for WA Remote Communities is Going Global
* Open Letter: Sovereign Union Letter to United Nations - SOS Forced closure of Aboriginal homeland communities in WA
* Photo: Sovereign Union facebook: "Here is Sovereign Union founder and convenor Ghillar Michael Anderson speaking on a Russian TV program on Thursday night by Skype."
* News Analysis: Charlotte Chabas, Le Monde: En Australie, la colère des Aborigènes face au « mépris » de leur culture: "The World: In Australia Aboriginal People's anger faces the 'contempt' of their culture"
* News Analysis: teleSUR: Australians Rally against Closure of Aboriginal Communities

* Media Release: Sisters of Saint Joseph: Josephites express profound concern at proposed Government plans to withdraw basic services to Aboriginal communities
* Media Statement: Bishops Commission for Relations with Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders: What Choice? Aboriginal peoples have the right to decent services where they live

* Joint Urgent Appeal: Franciscans International & Edmund Rice International: Forced Displacement of Aborigines in West Australia
* Background: Franciscans International - a voice at the United Nations: Indigenous Peoples
* News Analysis & Video: Heeni Brown, Maori Television: NZ MP's support Aboriginal protest over proposed closure of indigenous communities
* Analysis / Opinion: Royce Kurmelovs, Al Jazeera: Shutting down Australia's Aboriginal areas
* News Analysis: Alan Austin in France, Independent Australia: Abbott trashes Australia's reputation abroad - again
* Analysis / Opinion: Marie McInerney, BBC News: Australia's remote indigenous communities fear closure

* Facebook: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia
* Background: Diet Simon, sourced from WGAR, Linksunten Indymedia: Aboriginal Australian communities send a powerful message to government
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA

WGAR News: Breaking News: Homeless camp raided - City of Perth in disgrace, once again: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer

https://indymedia.org.au/2015/03/26/wgar-news-breaking-news-homeless-cam...

Contents:

* Breaking News & News Analysis: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Homeless camp raided - City of Perth in disgrace, once again
* Analysis / Opinion: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Help the First Nations Homelessness Project - help Matargarup refugee camp - help the homeless
* News Analysis: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Refugee camp thanks its founders with corroborree
* News Analysis: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: In the heart of Perth, Aboriginal Tent Embassy and a refugee camp
* News Analysis: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Jennifer Kaeshagen sets up The First Nations Homelessness Project

* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA
* WGAR Background to the Aboriginal Sovereignty Movement

"To support or be supported by The First Nations Homelessness Project, email contact@thestringer.com.au or phone/text 0449 655 282." Jennifer Kaeshagen

WGAR News: Land Grab In The Outback: Australia Unites Against Genocide of First Peoples with Gerry Georgatos and Elders: Global Freedom Movement Media

https://indymedia.org.au/2015/04/16/wgar-news-land-grab-in-the-outback-a...

Contents:

* Extended Insightful Audio/Video Interview: Aimee Devlin & Brendan D. Murphy, Global Freedom Movement Media:
Land Grab In The Outback: Australia Unites Against Genocide of First Peoples with Gerry Georgatos and Elders [Featuring Bella & Herbert Bropho]

* Analysis / Opinion: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Matargarup, home to the homeless - a safe space - take heed City of Perth Councillors
* News Analysis: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Jennifer Kaeshagen sets up The First Nations Homelessness Project

* Analysis / Opinion: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Another misguided reductionist plan to reduce rates of suicide & self-harm ...

* WGAR Background to Suicide and Self-harm in First Nations Communities ...