WGAR News: Aboriginal Peoples and the impact of the 2014 Federal Budget

Newsletter date: 20 May 2014

Contents:

* Amy McQuire, The Guardian: Cash for jails: Tony Abbott's budget for Indigenous Australia

* Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: "Warren Mundine, show your face," Tauto Sansbury [Featuring Tauto Sansbury]

* Let's Talk's Tiga Bayles interviews Chris Graham speaking about and breaking down the recently announced Australian Budget
* Let's Talk's Tiga Bayles interviews Mary Graham & Monica Morgan about the upcoming Budget announcement

* NACCHO: CONGRESS 2014 Budget Response: Concern over impact of the Budget on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
* NACCHO: NACCHO Budget Response: Pressure on Indigenous health outcomes

* Statement by SNAICC Chairperson, Sharron Williams: Budget cuts will hurt Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families
* SNAICC Media Release: End the damaging stalemate NOW on funding for Aboriginal Children and Family Centres

* Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT): ALS News: An update on our services

* IAHA Media Release - Allied Health Flies Under Budget Radar

* ANTaR: A shocking Budget for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
* ANTaR: New National Director says budget cuts must not come from those most in need - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
* ANTaR: Government must explain how Indigenous policy overhaul will close the gap

* Reconciliation Australia: 2014-15 Federal Budget Summary

* NIRS: Weekly News In Review: 2014 Budget Special [Featuring Justin Mohamed, Nigel Scullion, Kirstie Parker, Shayne Neumann and Shane Duffy]

* Tom Angley, The Wire: Indigenous leaders respond to budget pain [Featuring Joe Hockey, Kirstie Parker and Mick Gooda]

* ABC The World Today: Indigenous groups fear impact of budget cuts [Featuring Kirstie Parker]
* Michael Coggan, ABC News: Budget 2014: $534 million cut to Indigenous programs
* ABC News: Budget 2014: fuel excise, cuts to Indigenous programs will hurt regional WA, say farmers and welfare groups

* Greens Senator Rachel Siewert: Budget cuts make a mockery of Abbott's promise to be Prime Minister for Aboriginal Affairs

* Karen Ashford, SBS News: Funding cut jeopardises innovative Aboriginal learning program
* Darren Mara, SBS News: Indigenous affairs hit by 'savage budget cuts'
* Myles Morgan, NITV: Government to dramatically reduce Indigenous programs

* Gareth Hutchens and Jonathan Swan, SMH: GP co-payment to hit indigenous population hard

* CAAMA Radio: Clive Palmer Speaks Out! "We're all Australians you shouldn't just pick out people based on ethnicity"
* Mikaela Simpson, The Wire: Clive Palmer hits out at indigenous treatment in Budget

* Other News and Audio about the 2014 Federal Budget and Aboriginal Peoples

* SNAICC Media Release: The skills, knowledge and experience of Indigenous people make our communities and families

* AMY MCQUIRE, THE GUARDIAN: CASH FOR JAILS: TONY ABBOTT'S BUDGET FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIA

- Analysis / Opinion

The Guardian: Cash for jails: Tony Abbott's budget for Indigenous Australia
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/16/cash-for-gaols-tony...
16 May 14: "With its budget, the Abbott government has made clear what it means by Indigenous 'advancement': fewer services, and more funding for lockups ... Put simply, you don’t make communities safer by locking up their men, in many cases for the "victimless crime" of driving unregistered or unlicensed. You make them safer by investing in adequate health, housing, employment and education opportunities – measures which aren’t explained in these budget papers. ... " Amy McQuire, a Darumbal and South sea islander journalist; editor of Tracker Magazine; a researcher on John Pilger's Utopia documentary

* GERRY GEORGATOS, THE STRINGER: "WARREN MUNDINE, SHOW YOUR FACE," TAUTO SANSBURY [FEATURING TAUTO SANSBURY]

- Analysis / Opinion

The Stringer: "Warren Mundine, show your face," Tauto Sansbury
http://thestringer.com.au/warren-mundine-show-your-face-tauto-sansbury/
14 May 14: "Budget 2014 is a nightmare for First Peoples according to a former long serving health manager and the Chair of South Australia’s Narungga’s Peoples. Mr Sansbury said that the Budget outcomes compound disadvantage and that "the budget cuts will cost lives." But he said it is now time for the Prime Minister’s adviser on Indigenous issues, Warren Mundine, to front the nation, to front First Peoples, "to show his face and explain to us how $534 million can be taken away from one of the most disadvantaged peoples on this earth." "I am wondering where Mr Mundine is, why he has not said a word about the $534 million cuts, why he has not explained to us how it will all work from here?"" By Gerry Georgatos, a multi-award winning investigative journalist, a life-long human rights and social justice campaigner

* LET'S TALK'S TIGA BAYLES INTERVIEWS CHRIS GRAHAM SPEAKING ABOUT AND BREAKING DOWN THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED AUSTRALIAN BUDGET

- Audio Interview

Indigenous radio station 98.9FM Brisbane:
Let's Talk - Chris Graham
http://www.989fm.com.au/category/podcasts/lets-talk/
13 May 14: "Freelance Journalist and editor of Tracker Magazine. Speaking about and breaking down the recently announced Australian Budget."
Listen to this interview on-line:
http://www.989fm.com.au/podcasts/lets-talk/chris-graham-78/

* LET'S TALK'S TIGA BAYLES INTERVIEWS MARY GRAHAM & MONICA MORGAN ABOUT THE UPCOMING BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENT

- Audio Interview

Indigenous radio station 98.9FM Brisbane:
Let's Talk - Mary Graham & Monica Morgan
http://www.989fm.com.au/category/podcasts/lets-talk/
13 May 14: "Mary Graham & Monica Morgan speaking about the upcoming Budget announcement, Self Determination and Treaties."
Listen to this interview on-line:
http://www.989fm.com.au/podcasts/lets-talk/mary-graham-monica-morgan/

* NACCHO: CONGRESS 2014 BUDGET RESPONSE: CONCERN OVER IMPACT OF THE BUDGET ON ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES

- Media Release

NACCHO: CONGRESS 2014 Budget Response: Concern over impact of the Budget on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
[NACCHO: National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation]
[Congress: National Congress of Australia's First Peoples]
NACCHO: http://nacchocommunique.com/2014/05/16/congress-2014-budget-response/
Congress: http://nationalcongress.com.au/congress-2014-budget-response/
IAHA: http://iaha.com.au/concern-over-impact-of-the-budget-on-aboriginal-and-t...
15 May 14: "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples will suffer disproportionately under the 2014 Federal Budget, according to the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples.
"General and specific Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander measures in the Budget are already causing considerable anxiety amongst our peoples," said Congress Co-Chair Kirstie Parker.
"Our people are amongst the sickest, poorest and most marginalised Australians, so the pain of some measures will be felt especially hard by us.
"These include the introduction of GP co-payments and raising of the pension age, coupled with a cut of more than half a billion dollars to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs over the next five years. Yet another major overhaul of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs, no long-term funding certainty for our health and legal services or clarity around measures to Close the Gap, and undermining of Congress as the only national independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative body." ... "

* NACCHO: NACCHO BUDGET RESPONSE: PRESSURE ON INDIGENOUS HEALTH OUTCOMES

- News

NACCHO: NACCHO Budget Response: Pressure on Indigenous health outcomes
[NACCHO: National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation]
http://nacchocommunique.com/2014/05/14/naccho-budget-response-pressure-o...
14 May 14: "The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) has welcomed continued funding for the 150 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services around Australia announced/confirmed in Budget 2014. Justin Mohamed, Chair of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, said the Aboriginal population is growing and demand for services is increasing at more than 6% per year. "The 2014 Budget funding means we can continue to provide high quality, culturally appropriate health care to our people for another year," Mr Mohamed said today. "However, we also need long-term planning and budget resources to build on recent health gains and create lasting improvements to the health of Aboriginal people. ... ""

* STATEMENT BY SNAICC CHAIRPERSON, SHARRON WILLIAMS: BUDGET CUTS WILL HURT ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

- Media Release

SNAICC News: Media Release 15 May 2014 - Budget cuts will hurt Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families
Statement by SNAICC Chairperson, Sharron Williams
[SNAICC: Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care]
http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/fx-view-article.cfm?loadref=32&id=1436
http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/dsp-default-e.cfm?loadref=86&txnid=...
15 May 14: "Cuts announced in the Federal Budget on Tuesday will place even more pressure on some of the most disadvantaged citizens in Australia - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families - and reduce their access to some crucial services.
SNAICC believes the cuts to Indigenous early childhood education and care, health and legal services seriously compromise the Abbott Government’s Closing the Gap efforts and will inflict even more stress on our families and communities.
SNAICC is extremely disappointed that the Australian Government will not fund the 38 Aboriginal Children and Family Centres beyond June 2014. The Government’s decision to turn its back on these critically important services means their funding and future is now in the hands of state and territory governments - many of whom say they cannot feasibly fund them over the long-term. This is a serious setback for our children, families and communities. ...
The Australian Government has also announced a $3.7m cut to the Budget Based Funding program, under which the vast majority of Indigenous community-controlled early childhood services are funded. ... "

* SNAICC MEDIA RELEASE: END THE DAMAGING STALEMATE NOW ON FUNDING FOR ABORIGINAL CHILDREN AND FAMILY CENTRES

- Media Release

SNAICC News: Media Release 12 May 2014 - End the damaging stalemate NOW on funding for Aboriginal Children and Family Centres
[SNAICC: Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care]
http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/fx-view-article.cfm?loadref=32&id=1429
12 May 14: "The national peak body for Indigenous children and families, SNAICC, has called on the Australian Government and state-territory governments to end the damaging stalemate over funding of the 38 new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Family Centres (ACFCs) across Australia.
The 38 ACFCs represent a $300m investment by COAG under the National Partnership Agreement on Indigenous Early Childhood Development between the Australian Government and state-territory governments.
The centres were created to deliver integrated services, including health, parenting, family support, and early childhood education and development to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children families living in disadvantaged areas across Australia.
Funding under the agreement ends on 30 June 2014 and ACFCs are yet to be advised about funding arrangements beyond this date - only seven weeks away. The Australian Government has indicated that funding for the centres should become a state responsibility, but no state-territory government has accepted that this is the case (although Queensland and WA have put in place interim arrangements).
SNAICC Chairperson Sharron Williams said the stand-off between the two levels of government was a totally unacceptable situation. ... "

* ABORIGINAL LEGAL SERVICE (NSW/ACT): ALS NEWS: AN UPDATE ON OUR SERVICES

- Analysis / Opinion

Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT): ALS News: An update on our services
http://www.alsnswact.org.au/news_items/110
http://www.alsnswact.org.au/wasup
14 May 14: "The 2014 Federal Budget was delivered to the Australian public this week. ... Aboriginal Legal Services and three other federally funded legal services were already cut by $43.1 million over four years when the mid-year Budget was announced in December 2013. That translated to a cut of $13.4 million over four years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services around the country, or locally, a 4.5% cut to our ALS budget. Following the December 2013 announcement, ALS began making some adjustments to absorb the cuts, ... "

* IAHA MEDIA RELEASE - ALLIED HEALTH FLIES UNDER BUDGET RADAR

- Media Release

IAHA Media Release - Allied Health Flies Under Budget Radar
[IAHA: Indigenous Allied Health Australia]
http://iaha.com.au/iaha-media-release-allied-health-flies-under-budget-r...
14 May 14: "Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA), the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health peak body, hopes that the minimal mention of allied health in recent Australian government budget announcements does not reflect the importance the government places on allied health in meeting the holistic health and wellbeing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
"IAHA supports the government’s commitment to building a sustainable health workforce that is well distributed and equipped to meet the diverse needs of all Australians, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those living in rural and remote communities," said Ms Faye McMillan, IAHA Chairperson. "However the health workforce comprises more than doctors."
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing outcomes are strongly influenced by complex and interrelated factors including social, historical, political and cultural determinants," said Ms Donna Murray, CEO of IAHA. "Allied health professionals are ideally placed to impact on these determinants as they operate within widely diverse settings across health, education, justice and community sectors. It will be essential the government recognises the potential negative health impact of cuts across these sectors as it reviews all Indigenous programmes." ... "

* ANTaR: A SHOCKING BUDGET FOR ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE

- Analysis

ANTaR: A shocking Budget for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
http://antar.org.au/news/a-shocking-budget-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-...
16 May 14: "See our info graphic on the shocking budget cuts and impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people."

* ANTaR: NEW NATIONAL DIRECTOR SAYS BUDGET CUTS MUST NOT COME FROM THOSE MOST IN NEED - ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE

- Media Release

ANTaR: New National Director says budget cuts must not come from those most in need - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
http://antar.org.au/reports/budget-cuts-must-not-come-those-most-need-ab...
http://antar.org.au/sites/default/files/antar_pre-budget_release_final.pdf
12 May 14: "New National Director for ANTaR, Mr Andrew Meehan today said that government should not be cutting investment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs, communities and
organisations in the budget tomorrow.
He said that across every social and economic indicator, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as a group are the most disadvantaged in the country.
"Investing less in Aboriginal programs, communities and organisations would mean government would be less likely to meet the commitments it has made to closing the gap and addressing Indigenous disadvantage." Mr Meehan said.
"The Prime Minister has made some strong commitments to closing the gap and placing Indigenous affairs at the heart of his government, but some of the recommendations in the Commission of Audit Report would make meeting these commitments harder." He said.
Mr Meehan said that the Medicare Co-payment would have a disproportionate effect on Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander people, who, on average, are poorer and unhealthier. ...
Working together in genuine partnership with, and supporting, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations like Congress, NATSILS, NACCHO and other organisations is what government needs to do."

* ANTaR: GOVERNMENT MUST EXPLAIN HOW INDIGENOUS POLICY OVERHAUL WILL CLOSE THE GAP

- Media Release

ANTaR: government must explain how Indigenous policy overhaul will close the gap
http://antar.org.au/reports/government-must-explain-how-indigenous-polic...
http://antar.org.au/sites/default/files/antar_budget_release_14may14_fin...
14 May 14: "ANTaR today called on government to show how the budget measures in Indigenous affairs will close the gap in Indigenous disadvantage.
National Director Mr Andrew Meehan said that there are sweeping changes to the way government will be working in Indigenous affairs contained in the budget, including a $534 million cut and a new ‘Indigenous Advancement Strategy’ approach.
"This consolidation is a big change that appears to move away from closing the gap." He said.
"The government has made strong commitments to closing the gap but it is unclear how the changes will meet them." He said.
"Government needsto explain thisand how they will engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their representatives on the overhaul which will see the 150 Indigenous programs consolidated into just five." He said.
He said that while ANTaR supported changes that ensured more investment reached Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through reduced red tap, there was real concern at the $165 million to be cut from Indigenous health and the absence of detail around how the cut would be made. ... "

- Related News

ANTaR: 2014 - 2015 Federal Budget - Government must explain how Indigenous policy overhaul will close the gap
http://antar.org.au/news/2014-2015-federal-budget-government-must-explai...
14 May 14: "ANTaR today called on government to show how the budget measures in Indigenous affairs will close the gap in Indigenous disadvantage. "Government needs to explain how the changes will meet their committments to closing the gap and how they will engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their representatives on the overhall to Indigenous Affairs.""

* RECONCILIATION AUSTRALIA: 2014-15 FEDERAL BUDGET SUMMARY

- Analysis

Reconciliation Australia: 2014-15 Federal Budget Summary
http://www.reconciliation.org.au/news/2014-15-federal-budget-summary/
13 May 14: "* The 2014-15 Federal Budget outlines a total of $549.4 million of savings from Indigenous programs. This includes $15m from Congress and $534.4m from program consolidation within Prime Minister & Cabinet (PM&C).
* It is not clear from the Budget what programs will be cut or consolidated as part of the changes within PM&C. There is very little detail on the savings within PM&C outlined in the Budget Papers. ... "

* NIRS: WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW: 2014 BUDGET SPECIAL [FEATURING JUSTIN MOHAMED, NIGEL SCULLION, KIRSTIE PARKER, SHAYNE NEUMANN AND SHANE DUFFY]

- Audio

NIRS: Weekly News In Review Episode 16 - 2014 BUDGET Special
Please find attached a drop box link to the National Indigenous Radio Services ‘Weekly News In Review - 2014 BUDGET’ Special.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/smsbd9pv1p5sqm0/AAA8EAMD78gZOYtY-35_m9Gxa
15 May 14: "It features interviews with:
* NACCHO Chair Justin Mohamed;
* Federal Indigenous Affairs Minster Nigel Scullion;
* Congress Co-Chair Kirstie Parker;
* Opposition Labor Minister for Indigenous Affairs Shayne Neumann; and
* Chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service Shane Duffy."

* TOM ANGLEY, THE WIRE: INDIGENOUS LEADERS RESPOND TO BUDGET PAIN [FEATURING JOE HOCKEY, KIRSTIE PARKER AND MICK GOODA]

- Audio

The Wire: Indigenous leaders respond to budget pain
Produced by Tom Angley
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=11534
14 May 14: "Indigenous affairs were hit hard in last night's budget, with more than half a billion dollars in cuts. The government will slash 500-plus programs and services down to five, claiming the current system is inefficient and encourages duplication. But Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders fear cuts will only widen the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. ...
Featured in story:
* Joe Hockey, Treasurer
* Kirstie Parker, National Congress of Australia’s First People Co-Chair
* Mick Gooda, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner"

* ABC THE WORLD TODAY: INDIGENOUS GROUPS FEAR IMPACT OF BUDGET CUTS [FEATURING KIRSTIE PARKER]

- Audio

ABC The World Today: Indigenous groups fear impact of budget cuts
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2014/s4005113.htm
15 May 14: "KIRSTIE PARKER: We think our people will suffer disproportionately under budget measures, not just general measures such as the Medicare co-payment and the raising of the pension age, given that we are amongst the sickest and the most marginalised and poorest of Australians, but also the specific measures around Indigenous affairs are of serious concern to us.
MICHAEL COGGAN: Kirstie Parker, from the representative body the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, says without more detail the cuts will create policy confusion."

* MICHAEL COGGAN, ABC NEWS: BUDGET 2014: $534 MILLION CUT TO INDIGENOUS PROGRAMS

- News

ABC News: Budget 2014: $534 million cut to Indigenous programs
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-13/budget-2014-534-cut-to-indigenous-...
16 May 14: "Over the next five years $534 million will be cut from Indigenous programs administered by the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Health portfolios. ... Opposition Indigenous affairs spokesman Shayne Neumann says Tony Abbott can no longer be considered the Prime Minister for Indigenous Australia ... Mr Neumann has also criticised the Government for failing to make any commitment to the National Partnership Agreement for Indigenous Early Childhood Development. Mr Neumann says without extra funding it is likely that 38 Indigenous childhood development centres across the country will close." By the National Reporting Team's Michael Coggan, reporting on Northern Territory issues since 1996

* ABC NEWS: BUDGET 2014: FUAL EXCISE, CUTS TO INDIGENOUS PROGRAMS WILL HURT REGIONAL WA, SAY FARMERS AND WELFARE GROUPS

- News

ABC News: Budget 2014: fuel excise, cuts to Indigenous programs will hurt regional WA, say farmers and welfare groups
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-14/fuel-excise-and-cuts-to-indigenous...
15 May 14: "The increase in the fuel excise levy and deep cuts to Indigenous funding announced in last night's federal budget will hit regional Western Australia hard, interest groups say. ... One of the biggest cuts announced was a $500 million reduction in Indigenous spending. The Government confirmed 150 programs would be streamlined into five, targeting increased Aboriginal employment, school attendance and community safety. ... Labor Senator Nova Peris said the cuts target some of Australia's most vulnerable."

* GREENS SENATOR RACHEL SIEWERT: BUDGET CUTS MAKE A MOCKERY OF ABBOTT'S PROMISE TO BE PRIME MINISTER FOR ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS

- Media Release

Greens Senator Rachel Siewert: Budget cuts make a mockery of Abbott's promise to be Prime Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/budget-cut...
14 May 14: "The Australian Greens said today that the self-proclaimed Prime Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has failed the very people he said he was going to be there for and support.
"I hold grave fears for our ability to Close the Gap in life expectancy and health outcomes within a generation when more than half a billion dollars is being taken out of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples portfolio," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues said today.
"Tony Abbott's budget has stripped $534 million from the portfolio as is consolidates 150 programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into five. This appears to include a significant cut of $165.8 in of health programs, which is very disturbing.
"There is a great deal of confusion about which programs will be affected. The Government has sent letters to community organisations who are just two months away from the end of their funding, saying some may be extended, but offering no certainty. This is unacceptable so close to the new financial year.
"The Government cuts and changes have been made with no proper consultation with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, which is a very disturbing sign given Tony Abbott's commitment to be the Prime Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. ... ""

* KAREN ASHFORD, SBS NEWS: FUNDING CUT JEOPARDISES INNOVATIVE ABORIGINAL LEARNING PROGRAM

- Analysis / Opinion and Audio

SBS News: Funding cut jeopardises innovative Aboriginal learning program
Source: World News Radio
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/05/12/funding-cut-jeopardises-in...
12 May 14: "A small-scale but ground breaking program on South Australia's APY Lands is producing stunning results in early childhood education, in a region with amongst the poorest educational outcomes in the nation. Instead of waiting until pre-school to begin lessons, Aboriginal children are getting learning from birth - and by the time they reach school age they're surpassing children years ahead of them. However, as Karen Ashford reports, those involved in the project have been told no further funding's available to keep it going." By Karen Ashford

* DARREN MARA, SBS NEWS: INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS HIT BY 'SAVAGE BUDGET CUTS'

- Video and Audio

SBS News: Indigenous affairs hit by 'savage budget cuts'
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/05/14/indigenous-affairs-hit-sav...
14 May 14: "Indigenous affairs have taken some of the most savage budget cuts. ... Before his election last September, Tony Abbott claimed he'd be a Prime Minister for Indigenous affairs. But in his government's first budget, Indigenous affairs have taken some of the most savage cuts. The budget will see cuts to Indigenous spending by more than half-a-billion dollars over five years in a significant shake-up. The chairman of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Justin Mohamed, says he believes as much as $90 million could come out of Indigenous health services. ... " By Darren Mara

* MYLES MORGAN, NITV: GOVERNEMENT TO DRAMATICALL REDUCE INDIGENOUS PROGRAMS

- Video and Audio

NITV: Government to dramatically reduce Indigenous programs
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/05/13/government-dramatically-re...
13 May 14: "It appears the Indigenous Advancement Strategy will have to operate without the country's peak body for Indigenous people. The Labor government promised $15 million to the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples in its Budget last year. The Coalition's budget shows that funding will cease almost immediately from July. Legal aid services and the National Tobacco Campaign will also take a hit, losing $15 million and $3 million respectively." By Myles Morgan

* GARETH HUTCHENS AND JONATHAN SWAN, SMH: GP CO-PAYMENT TO HIT INDIGENOUS POPULATION HARD

- Analysis / Opinion

SMH: GP co-payment to hit indigenous population hard
http://www.smh.com.au/national/gp-copayment-to-hit-indigenous-population...
18 May 14: "The largest Aboriginal medical service in the Northern Territory has slammed the Abbott government's $7 GP co-payment policy. And medical experts say the policy could widen the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous health. On another front, the nation's peak body for Aboriginal health - the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) - says it is unsure if some of its 150 medical centres will lose tax-exempt status when the co-payment policy is introduced in July next year." Gareth Hutchens and Jonathan Swan

* CAAMA RADIO: CLIVE PALMER SPEAKS OUT! "WE'RE ALL AUSTRALIANS YOU SHOULDN'T JUST PICK OUT PEOPLE BASED ON ETHNICITY"

- Audio Interview

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association: Clive Palmer Speaks Out! "We're all Australians you shouldn't just pick out people based on ethnicity"
http://caama.com.au/palmer-were-all-australians-you-shouldnt-just-pick-o...
15 May 14: "The Budget fall out continues and as reported Aboriginal people will worse off under the Abbott government’s budget. Treasurer Joe Hockey handed down $534 Million Dollars worth of cuts from Aboriginal programs across the country. ... However, other parties have said we cannot stand by idly and let the government deliver a budget based on lies and deceit. Member for Fairfax Clive Palmer has criticised Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey for their decision to scrap funding for the Indigenous sector."

* MIKAELA SIMPSON, THE WIRE: CLIVE PALMER HITS OUT AT INDIGENOUS TREATMENT IN BUDGET

- Audio Interview

The Wire: Clive Palmer hits out at indigenous treatment in Budget
Produced by Mikaela Simpson
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=11541
15 May 14: "Indigenous Australia has big changes ahead after the May budget. The government has deicided to streamline 150 indigenous organsations into six, with a saving of over 500 million, and mining entrepreneur and newly minted politician Clive Palmer is not happy."

* OTHER NEWS AND AUDIO ABOUT THE 2014 FEDERAL BUDGET AND ABORIGINAL PEOPLES

- News

Pro Bono News: Indigenous Health Budget Slashed
http://www.probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2014/05/indigenous-health-budget...
14 May 14: "Indigenous Not for Profit Reconciliation Australia has asked what programs will need go to make the $165 million savings as part of the Federal Budget’s cuts to Indigenous health. ... "While we agree that consolidation can deliver greater efficiency and effectiveness any consolidation must be informed by evidence and a proper evaluation of existing programs," Reconciliation Australia co-chairs Dr Tom Calma and Melinda Cilento said. ... "The time for evidence-based decision making and policy development is long overdue. ... ""

- News

Daily Telegraph: Cuts will hit indigenous people hard
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/cuts-will-hit-indige...
14 May 14: "INDIGENOUS groups aren't buying government assurances that planned cuts won't hit frontline services, warning more jails will be needed to cope with the fall-out. They believe they have taken a disproportionate blow in the budget, with consolidation of 150 dedicated programs, and mainstream changes like co-payments for GP visits. The pension age will be lifted to 70, higher than the average life expectancy of indigenous men and just three years lower than for women."

- News

The Australian: The remote 'can ill afford co-payment', says Tom Calma
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/budget-2014/the-remote-...
16 May 14: "THE indigenous leader who helped trigger the government’s Closing the Gap response says Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders should be exempt from the Medicare co-payment until their health is on a par with other Australians. Canberra University chancellor Tom Calma, whose landmark 2005 report laid the foundations for the Closing the Gap campaign and the Council of Australian Governments’ Closing the Gap response, has expressed serious concerns about how the GP co-payment will play out in remote towns and communities." Victoria Laurie

- Audio Interview

Living Black Radio: Indigenous Affairs Minister says no frontline job cuts
http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/aboriginal/highlight/page/id/335717/t...
14 May 14: "Nigel Scullion speaks on Budget 2014 ... The Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion is adamant that frontline services, including frontline jobs, will not be affected by cuts within his portfolio of Indigneous Affairs. More than half a billion dollars has been slashed from overall Indigenous spending, including 235 million from Indigenous Affairs directly, and 343-million coming from other areas including from the Health area. ... Nigel Scullion is speaking with Marc Tong" By Michelle Aleksandrovics Lovegrove

* SNAICC MEDIA RELEASE: THE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES

- Media Release

SNAICC News: Media Release 15 May 2014 - The skills, knowledge and experience of Indigenous people make our communities 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=1433
15 May 14: "Today marks the start of National Families Week, the annual event held by Families Australia to recognise the fundamental importance of families. This year’s theme is Stronger Families: Stronger Communities.
The theme highlights the important role families play in our communities and that community wellbeing is enhanced by family wellbeing. ...
It is a timely opportunity to remind governments that — in their critical role to promote the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of families and communities — it’s not just about expenditure, it’s also about the strengths and values embedded in Indigenous policies and programs, including the benefits of community control.
Governments and non-government organisations can support our families and communities by encouraging the meaningful engagement and partnership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander citizens in the design and delivery of policies and programs that affect their lives. ... "

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WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)

About WGAR News:

http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/30/about-wgar-news-working-group-for-abo...

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'WGAR News' monitors the media, including alternative media, focusing on:

* the Australian Federal government intervention into Northern Territory (NT) Aboriginal communities;
* the Aboriginal sovereignty movement and the Aboriginal tent embassies;
* Justice Reinvestment, Aboriginal imprisonment and Aboriginal Deaths in Custody;
* Aboriginal land rights and mining;
* Suicide and self-harm in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities;
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The role of 'WGAR News' is to facilitate the voices of others, and as such, 'WGAR News' rarely writes its own articles.

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These opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of WGAR.

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Sample WGAR News e-newsletters:
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/01/03/about-wgar-news-sample-wgar-news-e-ne...

WGAR events postings:
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/01/03/about-wgar-news-wgar-events-postings

WGAR background info web-pages:
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/01/03/about-wgar-news-wgar-background-info-...

WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)