Newsletter date: 28 July 2012
Contents:
* Greens Rachel Siewert: Overwhelming support for Low Aromatic Fuel at Alice Springs Inquiry Hearing
* Bob Brown: why I’m leading the Sea Shepherd to the Kimberley
* Walmadan Tent Embassy, James Price Point, north of Broome, Kimberley Region, WA
* Background to the Aboriginal tent embassies
* Moree Sovereign Union Interim Government Gathering: 28 & 29 July 2012
* National Unity Government Foundation - Sound & Pictures
* Sovereignty Conference 2012 - Sound & Pictures
* Background to the Aboriginal sovereignty movement
* Sharon Mason, Kaleesha Morris and Larissa Behrendt speak at Talks on the Rocks
* Chris Graham: Another golden chance to grill Gillard on Stronger Futures slips by
* Background to 'Stronger Futures' new NT Intervention laws
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Tony Harris: Labor's sad, short deviation from a 'White Australia' mentality
* Other articles
* GREENS RACHEL SIEWERT: OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR LOW AROMATIC FUEL AT ALICE SPRINGS INQUIRY HEARING
- Media Release
Greens Rachel Siewert: Overwhelming support for Low Aromatic Fuel at Alice Springs Inquiry Hearing
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/overwhelmi...
26 Jul 12: "Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Issues
The Australian Greens said today that there is overwhelming support for their Low Aromatic Fuel Bill which enables the Federal Government to mandate the supply of non sniffable fuel in declared areas.
Greens Senator Rachel Siewert, who introduced the Bill to the Senate earlier this year, has been listening to the evidence at the Senate Inquiry into the Bill in Alice Springs and said today, "The evidence we have heard to date endorses the Bill and has provided substantial for the need for the Bill.
"Witnesses and submissions say the progress on stamping out petrol sniffing has been very good but the gains are fragile as ongoing access to sniffable fuel can seriously undermine progress.
"Witnesses say they want to finish the job and that giving the Minister the power to mandate the supply of non-sniffable fuel will help achieve that" ... "
* BOB BROWN: WHY I'M LEADING THE SEA SHEPHERD TO THE KIMBERLEY
- Analysis / Opinion
Crikey: Bob Brown: why I’m leading the Sea Shepherd to the Kimberley
http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/07/27/bob-brown-why-im-leading-the-sea-she...
27 Jul 12: "James Price Point, on the Kimberley coast, has been in the news because Woodside - with a who’s-who of other drillers including BP, BHP Billiton, Shell, Mitsubishi, and Chevron - is set to build the world’s biggest gas factory there. But this ancient region has another story to tell. It’s a stunning ochre-red headland located north of Broome, and culturally known as Walmadan. It’s an important area on the indigenous songcycle belonging to the law and culture of Goolarabooloo people, known as the Northern Tradition of Law. Since Bugarregarre, or the Dreamtime, their ancestors have walked and lived in this country." By former Greens leader Bob Brown
- Related Photos
Red Bluff: Save James Price Point: A Special Place
http://redbluffr.blogspot.com.au/2010/09/save-james-price-point-special-...
30 Sep 10: "James Price Point is a very special place. It is also the centre of a major dispute about where to put a LNG Gas Hub in North Western Australia. ... We took these photos while camping at the point in 2007."
- Related News
National Indigenous Times: Roe brothers find an ally in battle to stop gas hub
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1517-roe-brothers-find-an-ally-in-battle-to-s...
26 Jul 12: "By National Indigenous Times West Australian reporter Gerry Georgatos. The battle to stop the multi-billion dollar gas hub project north of Broome in Western Australia proceeding is now a full scale confrontation with the world renowned Sea Shepherd environmental organisation and former Greens leader, Dr Bob Brown joining with Goolarabooloo and Jabirr Jabirr peoples to fight the... "
* WALMADAN TENT EMBASSY, JAMES PRICE POINT, NORTH OF BROOME, KIMBERLEY REGION, WA
Repect and Listen: Save the Kimberley - Thinking of Walmadan (Christmas Eve 2011)
http://www.respectandlisten.org/kimberley/save-the-kimberley.html
[James Price Point, north of Broome, Kimberley Region, WA]
WGAR News: Gerry Georgatos: Police amassing at James Price Point (16 May 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/16/wgar-news-brisbane-city-council-to-tr...
[James Price Point, north of Broome, Kimberley Region, WA]
WGAR News: Gerry Georgatos: Woodside and the shire of Broome taken to the Supreme Court by Elder (30 May 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/30/wgar-news-ampilatwatja-community-lead...
[James Price Point, north of Broome, Kimberley Region, WA]
WGAR News: "James Price Point is simply too valuable to be given over to industrialisation" Greens (20 Jul 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/07/20/wgar-news-james-price-point-is-simply...
[James Price Point, north of Broome, Kimberley Region, WA]
Sovereign Union: Walmadan Tent Embassy (James Price Point)
http://nationalunitygovernment.org/content/walmadan-tent-embassy-james-p...
[James Price Point, north of Broome, Kimberley Region, WA]
See:
Facebook: Goolarabooloo and Lurujarri Heritage Trail
http://www.facebook.com/Goolarabooloo
Hands off Country:
http://handsoffcountry.blogspot.com.au/
Kimberley Campaigner - Background
http://www.kimberleycampaigner.com/about/history/
Save The Kimberley: Wilderness. Culture. Heritage
http://www.savethekimberley.com/
* BACKGROUND TO THE ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSIES:
Last updated: 20 July 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-aboriginal-sovereig...
* MOREE SOVEREIGN UNION INTERIM GOVERNMENT GATHERING: 28 & 29 JULY 2012
- Current Event
Event: Sat 28 and Sun 29 July 2012: Moree, NSW
Moree Sovereign Union Interim Government Gathering
Interim National Unity Government of the Sovereign Union
Agenda - Draft No 4 - Additional info - 21/07/12: http://nationalunitygovernment.org/node/222
Flyers:
Colour JPG: http://nationalunitygovernment.org/images/2012/gatherings/moree-meeting-...
Black & White JPG: http://nationalunitygovernment.org/images/2012/gatherings/moree-meeting-...
Colour PDF: http://nationalunitygovernment.org/pdf/moree-meeting-a4-2.pdf
Black & White PDF: http://nationalunitygovernment.org/pdf/moree-meeting-a4-bw0001.pdf
Details on Sovereign Union website: http://nationalunitygovernment.org/
* NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT FOUNDATION - SOUND & PICTURES:
- Audio and Photos
Sovereign Union: National Unity Government Foundation - Sound & Pictures
http://nationalunitygovernment.org/content/national-unity-government-fou...
"The welcome to country and smoking ceremony at the foundation meeting of the Interim National Unity Government was officiated by Roy "Dootch Kennedy" at Kuradji (Sandon Point Tent Embassy) on May 24th 2012. At this foundation gathering, some representatives said they believe that the National Unity Government of the Sovereign Union is the last stand for First Nations people to have any chance of asserting their rightful sovereignty."
Audio Podcasts:
"* Foundation of 'Sovereign Union' - CAAMA News Report
* First Official Meeting by Roy "Dootch" Kennedy
* This is "The Last Stand" - Michael Anderson
* Aunty Barbara Nicholson - "...the last drink at the poisoned water hole."
* Wayne 'Coco' Wharton - A Story of Sovereignty"
* Wayne 'Coco' Wharton - 'We can run the country'
* Wayne 'Coco' Wharton - We need a game plan
* Wayne 'Coco' Wharton - Let the Embassies Grow
* Wayne 'Coco' Wharton - Constitution Reform 'Furphy' "
* SOVEREIGNTY CONFERENCE 2012 - SOUND & PICTURES:
- Audio and Photos
Sovereign Union: Sovereignty Conference 2012 - Sound & Pictures
http://nationalunitygovernment.org/content/sovereignty-conference-2012-s...
"Litigating the Boundaries of Sovereignty - Symposium"
"The claim to continuous sovereignty is supported by cases, documents and doctrines. One aspect of the claim is the Pacific Islanders Protection Act 1872 & 1875 and the impact of the Doctrine of Discovery on international Aboriginal sovereignty, matters of discussion at the Eleventh Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. In 23 May 2012, the Legal Intersections Research Centre at the University of Wollongong and the School of Law and Justice of Southern Cross University held a workshop to explore the legal and political implications of Australian Aboriginal Sovereignty claims."
"Audio Podcasts:
* First Nations Sovereignty - Dr Alessandro Pelizzon 'CAAMA News'
* Litigating Sovereignty Welcome - Aunty Barb Nicholson
* Litigating Sovereignty - Professor Nan Seuffert
* Litigating Sovereignty - Dr Alessandro Pelizzon
* Litigating Sovereignty Symposium - Michael Anderson
* Juristiction Prudence & International Law - M Anderson
* Litigating Sovereignty, Virginia Marshall - Solicitor
* Litigating Sovereignty - Fred Hooper 1
* Litigating Sovereignty - Fred Hooper 2
* Litigating Sovereignty - Fred Hooper 3
* Litigating Sovereignty - Fred Hooper 4
* Litigating Sovereignty - Roy 'Dootch' Kennedy "
* BACKGROUND TO THE ABORIGINAL SOVEREIGNTY MOVEMENT:
Last updated: 20 July 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-aboriginal-sovereig...
* SHARON MASON, KALEESHA MORRIS AND LARISSA BEHRENDT SPEAK AT TALKS ON THE ROCKS:
- Audio
The Rocks - Past Speakers July 2012
http://www.therocks.com/sydney-Things_To_Do-The_Rocks_Discovery_Museum-T...
"Sharon Mason: Sydney Learning Adventures Aboriginal guide Sharon Mason gives a demonstration and insight into the daily lives of the Cadigal people"
"Kaleesha Morris: Twenty two-year-old Kaleesha Morris is a Gumbaynggirr (Aboriginal) and Torres Strait Islander (Kulkagal) woman from the New South Wales far north coast. A fourth-year Arts/Law student, Morris works on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice policy at the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples. With a particular interest in Indigenous human rights and youth advocacy, ... "
"Larissa Behrendt: Professor Larissa Behrendt is a Eualeyai and Kamillaroi woman who decided to become a lawyer at age 11 when her Indigenous father found his mother's removal certificate. She is currently a Professor of Law and Director of Research at the Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning at Sydney's University of Technology."
* CHRIS GRAHAM: ANOTHER GOLDEN CHANCE TO GRILL GILLARD ON STRONGER FUTURES SLIPS BY
- Analysis / Opinion
agendaTracker: Another golden chance to grill Gillard on Stronger Futures slips by
http://tracker.org.au/2012/07/another-golden-chance-to-grill-gillard-on-...
27 Jul 12: "NATIONAL: Prime MInister Julia Gillard ventured onto the world wide web over the weekend for an innovative online 'face the people' session. In cooperation with Fairfax Media, oursay.org.au hosted ‘Hangout with the Prime Minister’, a one hour grilling of the PM on a live web forum, with users able to vote on the most popular questions. The guarantee was that the top three would be put direct to Gillard. ... But never let it be said that Gillard won’t go the extra mile. She stuck around for a further 14 questions, with the fifth and sixth most popular questions (both on carbon pricing) also getting a run." Chris Graham, Walkley Award and Human Rights award winning writer, managing Editor of Tracker
See:
WGAR News: "Leaders outraged as Indigenous issues sidelined by Prime Minister" Media Release (24 Jul 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/07/24/wgar-news-leaders-outraged-as-indigen...
* BACKGROUND TO 'STRONGER FUTURES' NEW NT INTERVENTION LAWS:
Last updated: 24 July 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-stronger-futures-new-nt...
* BACKGROUND TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION:
Last updated: 4 July 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-northern-territory-...
* TONY HARRIS: LABOR'S SAD, SHORT DEVIATION FROM A 'WHITE AUSTRALIA' MENTALITY
- Analysis / Opinion
Green Left: Labor's sad, short deviation from a 'White Australia' mentality
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/51672
26 Jul 12: "The recent attacks on the Greens by notable Labor Party figures over the refusal of the Greens to compromise over offshore processing of asylum seekers represents a new low for the Labor Party. ... Labor’s march back to a White Australia mentality was also reflected in Aboriginal affairs. ... And of course this was the same week that the government, with coalition support, extended the colonial and paternalistic Northern Territory intervention through its Stronger Futures legislation, in the face of widespread opposition from Aboriginal groups and communities." By Tony Harris
* OTHER ARTICLES:
- News
National Indigenous Times: Labor facing election wipeout in Territory
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1519-labor-facing-election-wipeout-in-territo...
26 Jul 12: "The Labor Party risks being reduced to a rump in the Northern Territory both federally and in next month's Territory elections over its continuing commitment to the Intervention, with Indigenous leaders urging Aboriginal voters to back the First Nations Party and the Greens instead. More than 34,300 Indigenous Australians of voting age live in the Northern Territory. It represents more than 22 per cent of the... "
National Indigenous Times: Battle lines drawn as First Nations names more candidates
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1520-battle-lines-drawn-as-first-nations-name...
26 Jul 12: "By National Indigenous Times reporter Geoff Bagnall. The First Nations Political Party has announced three new candidates in its push for seats in the Northern Territory Assembly following the upcoming August election. Following the announcement of candidates last month that included high-profile performer Warren H. Williams, the party announced they would be joined by grandson of Vincent... "
National Indigenous Times: Toomelah cops a Macklin snub
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1521-toomelah-cops-a-macklin-snub.html
26 Jul 12: "By National Indigenous Times reporter Geoff Bagnall. The Federal Government will not relent and reinstate the Community Development Employment Program (CDEP) for Toomelah in the north west of New South Wales with the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin declaring training programs are available for Toomelah residents and there are jobs available in Goondiwindi, about 30... "
National Indigenous Times: Invest in the family, not jails, says Labor’s Martin Whiteley
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1516-invest-in-the-family-not-jails-says-labo...
26 Jul 12: "By National Indigenous Times West Australian reporter Gerry Georgatos. West Australian Labor Party's Martin Whitely may upset his Federal and State Labor colleagues but he has echoed what many Indigenous leaders have been calling for - invest in families and not in jails. Mr Whitely represents an electorate with one of the highest Aboriginal populations in the Perth metropolitan... "
National Indigenous Times: Elders lash out at Gillard’s "heartless" Kimberley trip
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1515-elders-lash-out-at-gillards-heartless-ki...
26 Jul 12: "By National Indigenous Times West Australian reporter Gerry Georgatos. Elders have lashed out at the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard for her "heartlessness" in failing to address the terrible rate of homelessness of Western Australia's Kimberley during her visit to the region. The Kimberley has the nation's worst homelessness rate, more than 700 per 10,000. This equates... "
Koori Mail: NPY women ask for income management
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php?page=Current+Edition
25 Jul 12: "ABORIGINAL women in remote South Australia and Western Australia are actively campaigning to be included in the Federal Government’s income management scheme, first introduced under the Northern Territory Intervention. The influential Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council says it has surveyed its members and found they strongly believe income management – which quarantines half of social security payments for essentials like food, clothes and rent – would help reduce alcohol abuse, violence, gambling, child abuse and neglect in their communities."
- Analysis / Opinion
National Indigenous Times: Lizard’s revenge: The SA government ignores Letters Patent from Britain
http://www.nit.com.au/opinion/1488-lizards-revenge-the-sa-government-ign...
26 Jul 12: "by Michael Anderson. The recent demonstrations at the 'Gates of Hell' led by Kevin Buzzacott, Arabunna Elder, against the BHP Roxby Downs uranium mine expansion highlight how governments and mining companies ignore and completely override the sovereign rights and human rights of First Nations Peoples. The uranium mine is in Kokotha country, but its impact crosses into Arabunna country to... "
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