Newsletter date: 16 December 2012
Contents:
* Greens Senator Rachel Siewert: Premier’s approach ostracising all in the push to develop James Price Point
* The West: Wide-ranging rally [in opposition to the gas hub at James Price Point]
* Background to the Save The Kimberley Campaign - James Price Point, north of Broome, WA
* SBS World News: [National Indigenous Television] NITV goes free to air
* SBS World News Video: National strategy launched to reduce Indigenous suicide rates
* SBS World News Video: Indigenous Aussies 'should vote for their own senators'
* SBS Living Black Audio Interview: More Trouble In Roeburne? - That's the prediction of lawyer Kerry Savas
* SBS Living Black Audio Interview: Why are Yindjibarndi Still Living In Poverty?
* Background to the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC)
* Background to Mabo and Native Title
* Other Articles
* GREENS SENATOR RACHEL SIEWERT: PREMIER'S APPROACH OSTRACISING ALL IN THE PUSH TO DEVELOP JAMES PRICE POINT
- Media Release
Greens Rachel Siewert: Premier’s approach ostracising all in the push to develop James Price Point
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/premier%E2...
12 Dec 12: "The Australian Greens say the blinkered vision of the WA Government in seeking to develop James Price Point is undermining the project by ostracising Aboriginal people, community members and Joint Venture partners alike.
"BHP’s sale of its Browse stake is another sign of the toll this flawed project is taking on all those involved," Senator Siewert said today.
"We know that there are other, viable options for processing Browse LNG that don’t bring with them the environmental impact and damage to communities, culture and heritage.
"Despite better options existing, the WA Government is still more intent on compulsorily acquiring land at James Price Point than they are on seeing an agreement which allows processing to occur elsewhere while still ensuring benefits from the project to flow to the area’s communities and Traditional Owners. ... " [said Senator Siewert] "
* THE WEST: WIDE-RANGING RALLY [IN OPPOSITION TO THE GAS HUB AT JAMES PRICE POINT]
- News
The West: Wide-ranging rally - Kimberley
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/kimberley/a/-/news/15632444/wi...
13 Dec 12: "POLITICIANS, musicians and Australians united at rallies in Broome, Perth, Hobart, Adelaide, Melbourne and Newcastle against the proposed gas hub at James Price Point last Saturday. While crowds braved blistering heat to march through Broome waving banners and placards, people gathered at Cottlesloe Beach and were joined by Australian Greens Senators Rachel Siewert and Scott Ludlam and musician John Butler. Senator Siewert said the day was about sending a "clear message" to Environment Minister Tony Burke and his fellow Federal MPs ... "
- Event
Event: Sat 8 December 2012:
Broome, Perth, Adelaide & Melbourne
(Inter)national day of solidarity for the Kimberley
Broome No Gas Rally and Concert
- James Price Point: Pristine and Priceless
"On Saturday 8 December, the local community
in Broome, Western Australia, will hold a rally
and concert to oppose the construction of
a giant gas hub on their doorstep.
On the same day, we'll be holding events
around the country in solidarity with Broome,
and to celebrate a fantastic year's work
protecting our precious environment!
Everyone is welcome to join in this
(Inter)national day of solidarity for the Kimberley.
If you can't make it to Broome, then attend an
event in your local area, or join in online!"
The Wilderness Society WA Inc
Event details: http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/kimberley/national-day-of-action-...
Event details: [scroll down page] http://www.respectandlisten.org/kimberley.html
Broome event details - No Gas Rally and Concert: http://www.savethekimberley.com/events/
Broome flyer - No Gas Rally and Concert: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=459967537373977&set=a.34803984190...
WGAR Background to the Save The Kimberley Campaign: http://indymedia.org.au/2012/11/22/wgar-news-background-to-the-save-the-...
* BACKGROUND TO THE SAVE THE KIMBERLEY CAMPAIGN - JAMES PRICE POINT, NORTH OF BROOME, WA
Last updated: 14 December 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/11/22/wgar-news-background-to-the-save-the-...
* SBS WORLD NEWS: [NATIONAL INDIGENOUS TELEVISION] NITV GOES FREE TO AIR
- News
SBS World News Special Coverage: NITV News
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/specialcoverage/399/NITV-News
- NITV homepage
National Indigenous Television (NITV)
http://www.nitv.org.au/
"About NITV:
National Indigenous Television (NITV) is part of the SBS family of free-to-air channels broadcasting across Australia providing a nationwide Indigenous television service via cable, satellite and terrestrial transmission means and selected online audio visual content. The content for these services is primarily commissioned or acquired from the Indigenous production sector."
- Videos
SBS World News: NITV goes free to air
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1719929/NITV-goes-free-to-air
12 Dec 12: "Australian television history has been made, with the launch of the first free to-air national Indigenous television network. NITV was switched from pay TV to free-to-air at noon (AEDT) today, with a ceremony at Uluru to mark the historic day (12/12/12). NITV now airs on channel 34 (SBS4) on digital TV. It will also broadcast on Foxtel on channel 180. Launching in 2007 on pay TV, NITV struggled to find its feet and funding, but a merger with SBS earlier this year has seen it make Australian television history."
SBS World News: The first storytellers: The history of NITV
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1718359/The-first-storytellers-The-hi...
12 Dec 12: "History was made this week when National Indigenous Television launched on free-to-air television across Australia, bringing news, current affairs, sport, drama and entertainment from an Indigenous perspective. On Wednesday December 12th National Indigenous Television (NITV) began broadcasting on SBS digital marking a historic step for Indigenous media.
In 2006, it was estimated that less than 2 hours per week of Indigenous-produced content was broadcast across all media. Since beginning in 2007, National Indigenous Television has shown approximately 2,000 hours of content ... "
SBS World News: Ban Ki-Moon congratulates NITV on free-to-air launch
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1720007/Ban-Ki-Moon-congratulates-NIT...
12 Dec 12: "UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has congratulated National Indigenous Television Network (NITV) on their historic free-to-air launch. During his message, Ki-moon applauded NITV for its work in challenging the stereotypes of Indigenous people. "This is a momentous achievement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," he said in a video message broadcasted on NITV. "The establishment of NITV will help challenge the stereotypes of Indigenous peoples and will empower Indigenous voices and will influence the social and political agenda. ... ""
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
National Indigenous Television SBS Free To Air Launch!
http://caama.com.au/national-indigenous-television-sbs-free-to-air-launch
14 Dec 12
- Related News
National Indigenous Radio Service: Benefits of Aboriginal culture on offer from NITV
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7697-benefits-of-aboriginal-cult...
14 Dec 12: "Social commentator Eva Cox has welcomed the launch of NITV as a free-to-air television channel. The University of Technology, Sydney academic says she hopes SBS will continue to allow Indigenous control. Ms. Cox says if treated respectfully, the channel will help spread Indigenous affairs to a wider audience. "Hopefully it'll give a lot more people in Australia a bit more of an understanding about the benefits of Indigenous culture and what we can learn. ... ""
* SBS WORLD NEWS VIDEO: NATIONAL STRATEGY LAUNCHED TO REDUCE INDIGENOUS SUICIDE RATES
- Video
SBS World News: National strategy launched to reduce Indigenous suicide rates
Source: Jeremy Geia, NITV
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1720703/National-strategy-launched-to...
14 Dec 12: "Some of the country's leading healers are putting together a national strategy they hope will see a decrease in the tragic suicide rates plaguing black Australia. They're promoting community controlled and operated solutions - it's an investment governments around the country are keen to see work. Jeremy Geia reports. Reducing suicide and distress in black communities is an arduous task, creating a national policy that has local control and ticks government boxes can be just as challenging. But that's what the national indigenous mental health advisory group is now working on."
* SBS WORLD NEWS VIDEO: INDIGENOUS AUSSIES 'SHOULD VOTE FOR THEIR OWN SENATORS'
- Video
SBS World News: Indigenous Aussies 'should vote for their own senators'
Source: SBS staff
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1720329/Indigenous-Aussies-should-vot...
13 Dec 12: "Indigenous Australians should be able to elect Indigenous senators, human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson QC told Living Black. ... Geoffrey Robertson QC told Living Black presenter Karla Grant that Australia lags behind other countries when it comes to recognising the rights of Aboriginal people. "Other countries have acknowledged rights of Indigenous people in far more satisfactory ways," says Robertson. "I’ve always believed that the best way to [recognise their rights] is to allow Indigenous people to vote for their own representatives; to have Australian senators elected by the Indigenous community." ... "
* SBS LIVING BLACK AUDIO INTERVIEW: MORE TROUBLE IN ROEBURNE? - THAT'S THE PREDICTION OF LAWYER KERRY SAVAS
- Audio Interview
SBS Living Black: More Trouble In Roeburne?
By Michelle Lovegrove
http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/aboriginal/highlight/page/id/245959/t...
13 Dec 12: "That's the prediction of lawyer Kerry Savas, over the continuing battle between the Yindjibarndii people and FMG, in the Pilbara. ... Kerry Savas spent more than a year representing the interests of a group of Yindjibarndi people, who broke away from their native title organisation, Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation. The fractured community in and around Robeurne, destruction of land, dozens of court battles, and the intervention of a multi billion dollar mining company is the living story of the failures of the native title system, and of a government publicly ignoring its citizen's calls for an inquiry into FMG's activities in the Pilbara. ... "
* SBS LIVING BLACK AUDIO INTERVIEW: WHY ARE YINDJIBARNDI STILL LIVING IN POVERTY?
- Audio Interview
SBS Living Black: Why are Yindjibarndi Still Living In Poverty?
By Michelle Lovegrove
http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/aboriginal/highlight/page/id/245955/t...
13 Dec 12: "A native title claimant group has called for a federal inquiry into its allegations that iron ore miner Fortescue Metals "heavied" its way onto land in Western Australia's Pilbara region. ... Bruce Woodley, chairman Wirlu-Murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (WMYAC), has supported recent statements made by solicitor Kerry Savas, to the National Indigenous Times and the ABC. Mr Savas is a lawyer who worked for WMYAC and whose fees were paid by Fortescue. He claims that Wirlu-Murra was put together hastily, to solidify support for FMG's Solomon Mine project. ... Michelle Lovegrove speaks with Gerry Georgatos, a journalist with the National Indigenous Times, about his latest trip to Roeburne, and what he saw there."
- Related News
Wirlu murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (WYAC) News: Response to Recent Claims in the National Indigenous Times
http://www.wmyac.com/news/
30 Nov 12: "We have only recently been made aware of Mr Georgatas' article in the National Indigenous Times and the purported concerns of our Chairman, Bruce Woodley, which have not previously been expressed to the Board. The reported comments do not represent the views of the Board. For the past week Bruce has been in hospital receiving treatment. ... Bruce Woodley is the Chairperson of Wirlu-murra but the Board has not endorsed any media statements. Any public comments need to be endorsed by the Board."
See:
Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC): http://yindjibarndi.org.au/yindjibarndi/
Wirlu murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (WYAC): http://www.wmyac.com/
* BACKGROUND TO THE YINDJIBARNDI ABORIGINAL CORPORATION (YAC):
Last updated: 5 December 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/11/27/background-to-the-yindjibarndi-aborig...
* BACKGROUND TO MABO AND NATIVE TITLE:
Last updated: 5 December 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/07/02/background-to-mabo-and-native-title
* OTHER ARTICLES:
- Analysis / Opinion
On Line Opinion: The answer to Olga's question?
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=14477
14 Dec 12: "This past October, Olga Havnen, the Northern Territory Coordinator General for Remote Indigenous Services, released her annual report. The response of the NT Government was to sack her. It's her story to tell the reasons why. What is clear from her report is that Olga doggedly asked government departments what proportion of their budget was taken up by administrative overheads. Her requests were "met with a reluctance to comply and, in some instances, outright hostility."" By Mark Moran and Patrick Sullivan
Dr Mark Moran, a governance specialist in Indigenous and international development
Dr Patrick Sullivan, a political anthropologist who has studied the engagement of Aboriginal people with the Australian Public Sector
- News
Koori Mail: Havnen to head health service
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
14 Dec 12: "FORMER Coordinator General for Remote Services in the NT Olga Haven has been appointed CEO of Darwin's Danila Dilba Health Service. The service's deputy chairperson John Paterson said Ms Havnen's experience at Aboriginal land councils and various health and support organisations that would be vital in moving Danila Dilba forward. She replaces Paula Arnol, whom Mr Paterson thanked for her tireless work. The NT Government scrapped the Coordinator General position in October after Ms Havnen issued a report critical of government expenditure, programs and service delivery in Aboriginal communities."
National Indigenous Radio Service: Qld Health Minister praises community-controlled model
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7694-qld-health-minister-praises...
14 Dec 12: "A new Indigenous medical clinic has opened this week in the outer-northern Brisbane suburb of Morayfield. Queensland Health Minister Lawrence Springborg attended the opening. Mr. Springborg told 98.9fm the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health's newest facility will be a a positive for the health of south-east Queensland Aboriginal people."
Koori Mail: Crossin to chair committee
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
14 Dec 12: "LABOR Senator Trish Crossin will chair a new parliamentary joint select committee on constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Senator Crossin said the Committee will inquire into and report on steps that can be taken to progress towards a successful referendum on Indigenous constitutional recognition. It will create an advisory group to guide its work, including consideration of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Bill 2012. Senator Crossin said she was proud of bipartisan support the issue has received."
- Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
http://caama.com.au/radio#tabs-6
http://caama.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/am-14-12-updated1.mp3
14 Dec 12: "A former Federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister who also served as deputy chairman of the National Native Title Tribunal has spoken of an intercultural future for the Northern Territory one which will see both Aboriginal people an non indigenous Australians working together to achieve their objectives."
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