Newsletter date: 18 December 2012
Contents:
* Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy to charge Graham Quirk: Media Release
* Background to the Aboriginal tent embassies
* APO NT: Mini-budget cuts to Aboriginal services will increase harm and cost more -especially in the Bush
* Darwin Aboriginal Rights Coalition has condemned the CLP’s mini-budget cuts to vital Aboriginal services: Media Release
* Respect and Listen Video: Adelaide's book launch of 'A Decision to Discriminate'
[Speeches by Djiniyini Gondarra, Amelia Pangarte Kunoth-Monks and Rosalie Kunoth-Monks.]
* Amnesty: 2012 a permanent stain on Australia’s human rights record
* Background to 'Stronger Futures' new NT Intervention laws
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Amnesty: Indigenous lives lost as Government inaction continues
* Diane Fieldes, Socialist Alternative: Aboriginal incarceration rates soar
* Background to the justice for Kumentjaye Briscoe Campaign
* Background to Aboriginal imprisonment and Deaths in Custody
* Other articles
* BRISBANE ABORIGINAL SOVEREIGN EMBASSY TO CHARGE GRAHAM QUIRK: MEDIA RELEASE
- Media Release
Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy to charge Graham Quirk:
Facebook: Sovereign Union: [scroll down page] http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sovereign-Union/340478969357448
Facebook: Stand Up for the Burrup: http://www.facebook.com/StandUpForTheBurrup/posts/487207607969347
Facebook: Pangaea Archival Network: [scroll down page] https://www.facebook.com/PangaeArchivalNetwork
14 Dec 12: "A march from the Sovereign Embassy will today deliver a charge sheet against Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and council employees that have been accomplices in the attacks on the Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy.
Embassy spokesperson Wayne Wharton says that "Graham Quirk is unfit to hold office. His actions in attempting to close the Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy over the past week have been illegal and unethical. We are also calling on Brisbane City Council to disclose all financial relationships with the Aboriginal community members they claim authority from to close down the Embassy". ... "
- Related Letter
Letter to Graham Quirk
Sovereign Union: [scroll down page] http://nationalunitygovernment.org/content/brisbane-sovereign-embassy-be...
6 Dec 12: "The letter below was sent to Brisbane mayor Graham Quirk in response to a meeting he convened to discuss trying to shut down the Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy.
Dear Mayor Graham Quirk,
Firstly I would like to express my absolute disgust that you would seek to move against the Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy and convene a fake community meeting just days after I lost my sister and am currently looking after my family as we go through sorry business. I have listened to a recording of the shameful meeting you held in your office yesterday afternoon (December 5). You cannot claim any legitimacy or consent to take any action for or against the Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy based on those people in attendance at that meeting. ... "
- Related News
Koori Mail: UN asked to help to protect embassies
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
14 Dec 12: "THE Chairman of the Interim National Unity Government Michael Anderson has asked the United Nations (UN) to lobby the Australian Government to ensure Aboriginal 'embassies' are protected. Mr Anderson, a co-founder of Canberra's iconic Aboriginal Tent Embassy, wrote to the UN this week after Brisbane City Council staff and police moved in to close the Brisbane Aboriginal Embassy. Mr Anderson also wants the UN to ask the Government about its failure to negotiate a treaty with Aboriginal nations."
National Indigenous Radio Service: Campaign to keep Brisbane Embassy continues
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7696-campaign-to-keep-brisbane-e...
14 Dec 12: "The Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy has continued its campaign to stay at Musgrave Park with a march to the Lord Mayor's office this afternoon. Embassy members and supporters are protesting the Brisbane City Council's decision to attempt to shut down the Embassy and say Lord Mayor Quirk isn't fit to hold office. About forty people participated in the rally. Spokesperson Paul Spearim says it wasn't justified to shut the Embassy down as it serves important community purposes."
National Indigenous Radio Service: Brisbane Embassy continues call for treaty
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7692-brisbane-embassy-continues-...
13 Dec 12: "The Brisbane Indigenous sovereignty movement is continuing its campaign for a treaty despite the City Council moving in and extinguishing the sacred fire at its Embassy. The fire was put out on Tuesday night after Lord Mayor Graham Quirk met with local elders who asked for the removal of the site. But sovereignty campaigners maintain they don’t support the removal and say they will continue to keep a fire burning. Kamilaroi man Paul Spearim told a community meeting this week that while the Embassy is calling for a treaty, he also witnessed the positive impact ... "
National Indigenous Radio Service: Vows to keep sacred fire burning at Musgrave Park
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7689-vows-to-keep-sacred-fire-bu...
13 Dec 12: "Brisbane Sovereign Embassy members says they'll continue their protest and keep the sacred fire burning after it was extinguished by the City Council on Tuesday night. Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk says community elders asked for the fire to be put out and the site to be dismantled. Embassy members have rejected this and say those present at a meeting with council didn't represent the views of the Embassy. Jagera elder and member Kevin Vieritz says the Embassy will continue their demands for a treaty and it was disrespectful to extinguish the fire."
Brisbane Times: Activists guard Aboriginal tent embassy fire
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/activists-guard-aboriginal-te...
13 Dec 12: "Two activists have spent the night guarding the smouldering coals of a fire at the Aboriginal tent embassy in Brisbane. Protester Gladys Weazel vowed on Thursday to stay put and continue the vigil with her father in Musgrave Park. Brisbane City Council evicted people from the site on Tuesday, three of whom were later arrested in a midnight raid. Ms Weazel says the council "just doesn't like Aboriginal people"."
- Related Audio
ABC Brisbane Audio: Breakfast with Spencer Howson: More drama at Tent Embassy
http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2012/12/more-drama-at-tent-embassy-.html
12 Dec 12: "3 protesters were arrested last night at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Musgrave Park, after they tried to re-establish the embassy, after it had been shut down by Brisbane City Council yesterday afternoon. Eddie Norbido, ABC overnight camera man, was there, and he spoke to Spencer... "
See:
WGAR News: Sovereign Union: Michael Anderson's urgent letter to United Nations Ambassadors, New York
- Re: 12 Dec 2012 Assault on Aboriginal Embassy in Brisbane by colonial authorities (14 Dec 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/12/14/wgar-news-michael-andersons-urgent-le...
* BACKGROUND TO THE ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSIES:
Last updated: 15 December 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-aboriginal-sovereig...
* APO NT: MINI-BUDGET CUTS TO ABORIGINAL SERVICES WILL INCREASE HARM AND COST MORE -ESPECIALLY IN THE BUSH
- Media Release
Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory:
- An alliance of CLC, NLC, CAALAS, NAAJA and AMSANT
Media Release: Mini-budget cuts to Aboriginal services will increase harm and cost more -especially in the Bush
DARC: http://thna.me/pipermail/darc_thna.me/attachments/20121210/9a4d3e93/atta...
9 Dec 12: "The Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT says the recent mini-budget cuts to Aboriginal directed services like child protection, family and parent support, homelessness services and youth support are a false economy.
AMSANT CEO John Paterson said the cuts will lead to increased preventable harm and cost the community more in the longer term.
"These actions will result in increased avoidable harm to Aboriginal people in the NT and will contribute to increasing, rather than closing, the gap on Aboriginal disadvantage," said Mr Paterson.
NAAJA CEO Priscilla Collins said that the slashing of the budget for SAF,T, the Aboriginal child protection body, will particularly impact on services aimed at supporting families and parents and preventing children entering the child protection system.
"Although we recognise the need for a culturally sound Aboriginal out-of-home care service, prevention rather than crisis management should be the focus in relation to child protection, especially given the growing cost of funding child protection and out-of home care," said Ms Collins. ... "
See:
Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory:
Welcome to APO NT:
http://apont.org.au/
"Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory-APO NT-is an alliance comprising the Central Land Council (CLC), Northern Land Council (NLC), North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA), Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service (CAALAS) and the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the NT (AMSANT). The alliance was created to provide a more effective response to key issues of joint interest and concern affecting Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory, including through advocating practical policy solutions to government."
* DARWIN ABORIGINAL RIGHTS COALITION HAS CONDEMNED THE CLP'S MINI-BUDGET CUTS TO VITAL ABORIGINAL SERVICES: MEDIA RELEASE
- Media Release
Darwin Aboriginal Rights Coalition - Press Release:
Facebook: Stop the Intervention (Darwin, NT, Aus): [scroll down page] http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-the-Intervention-Darwin-NT-Aus/171500...
13 Dec 12: "Darwin Aboriginal Rights Coalition (ARC) has condemned the CLP’s mini-budget cuts to vital Aboriginal services, which it fears will increase the hopelessness felt by Aboriginal people in Darwin, and could increase the chances of horrible tragedies like that which took the life of Kwementyaye Briscoe on January 4.
ARC spokesperson David Suttle said: "The racism encouraged by policies like the NT intervention and Stronger Futures have led to more homelessness in the towns of the NT. Recent studies have shown the psychological impact of these policies on Aboriginal people.
"The Federal government’s own report, and analysis done by Paddy Gibson from UTS, paint a terrible picture. They are available here:
http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/our-responsibilities/families-and-children/pro...
and
http://overland.org.au/blogs/loudspeaker/2012/12/income-management-in-th...
"Since the NT intervention was launched in 2007, reported attempts of self-harm and suicide have risen 500% and actual suicide by Aboriginal teens has risen 160%. ... ""
* RESPECT AND LISTEN VIDEO: ADELAIDE'S BOOK LAUNCH OF 'A DECISION TO DISCRIMINATE'
[SPEECHES BY DJINIYINI GONDARRA, AMELIA PANGARTE KUNOTH-MONKS AND ROSALIE KUNOTH-MONKS.]
- Video Speeches
Respect and Listen: Adelaide's book launch of 'A Decision to Discriminate'
[scroll down page] http://www.respectandlisten.org/nt-intervention/concerned-australians/a-...
"Adelaide's book launch, 9 December 2012 ... Video clips from the launch:
1. Djiniyini Gondarra ...
2. Amelia Pangarte Kunoth-Monks ...
3. Rosalie Kunoth-Monks"
- Photos
'concerned Australians': A Decision to Discriminate
- Speeches and pictures from the book launches:
[scroll down page] http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/ADTD_launchspeeches.html
"Adelaide launch:
* Djiniyini Gondarra
* Amelia Pangarte Kunoth-Monks
* Rosalie Kunoth-Monks
- Event
Event: Sun 9 December 2012: Adelaide CBD, SA
International Human Rights Day Book Launch
Note new date and venue!
The Women’s International League for Peace
and Freedom (WILPF) will be launching the book:
A Decision to Discriminate
- Aboriginal Disempowerment in the Northern Territory
released by 'concerned Australians'
Launched by:
* Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM,
representing the Yolngu Nations
* Rosalie Kunoth Monks OAM,
representing the Alyawaar Nations
"This is a rare opportunity to meet with
these two distinguished Elders and
to hear first-hand stories."
New venue: Pilgrim Hall at rear of Pilgrim Uniting Church,
12 Flinders St, Adelaide CBD
"Through the use of direct quotations,
this new book is an important historical record
that focuses on the Senate Committee Inquiry
into the Stronger Futures legislation. It shows
how the Government decision-making process
chose to ignore the views and ideas expressed
by many Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory
communities in much the same way as has
happened since colonisation."
"Following the book launch
Amnesty International Australia
will have the regional launch of their
2012 Reconciliation Action Plan
at which the honoured guest will be
Kaurna Elder Lynette Crocker."
Adelaide flyer: http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/media/ADTD_launch_flyer_Adelaide.pdf
Event details: http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/ADTD_booklaunches.html#Adelaide
Event details: http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/#ADTD
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/sa/event/30409/
Event details: http://www.respectandlisten.org/nt-intervention/concerned-australians.html
Event details: http://www.respectandlisten.org/nt-intervention/concerned-australians/a-...
Flyer: http://www.respectandlisten.org/uploads/downloads/ca/ADTD-flyer-final.pdf
Order Form: http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/media/ADTD_Order_Form.pdf
Book reviews:
http://acmsydney.wordpress.com/2012/11/08/review-of-a-decision-to-discri...
http://www.sydneycatholic.org/news/latest_news/2012/2012115_91.shtml
http://overland.org.au/blogs/loudspeaker/2012/10/stronger-futures-and-ab...
Audio Interviews: http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=9818
'concerned Australians' Homepage: http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/
* AMNESTY: 2012 A PERMANENT STAIN ON AUSTRALIA'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD
- News
Amnesty International Australia: 2012 a permanent stain on Australia’s human rights record
http://www.amnesty.org.au/news/comments/30691/
10 Dec 12: "The Government continues to violate the rights of Indigenous Peoples, excluding Aboriginal homelands from essential services and implementing a chain of policies that is further disenfranchising Indigenous Peoples in the Northern Territory. The passing of the Stronger Futures Bills represents the Government's blatant disregard for its human rights obligations. The legislation package is indeed a failure to meet international human rights standards, and continues the disempowerment of Aboriginal Peoples in the Northern Territory."
* BACKGROUND TO 'STRONGER FUTURES' NEW NT INTERVENTION LAWS:
Last updated: 14 December 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-stronger-futures-new-nt...
* BACKGROUND TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION:
Last updated: 4 December 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-northern-territory-...
* AMNESTY: INDIGENOUS LIVES LOST AS GOVERNMENT INACTION CONTINUES
- News
Amnesty International Australia: Indigenous lives lost as Government inaction continues
http://www.amnesty.org.au/news/comments/30706/
12 Dec 12: "Amnesty International supports the family of Kwementyaye Briscoe as they continue to call for justice over his needless death in a police cell in January 2012. Northern Territory Coroner Greg Cavanagh found Mr Briscoe’s death was preventable and caused by a lack of adequate care after the 27 year old died in Police Protective Custody after his arrest for intoxication. Following on from the Coroner’s findings the family continues to call for the police involved to be charged over the death."
* DIANE FIELDES, SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE: ABORIGINAL INCARCERATION RATES SOAR
- Analysis / Opinion
Socialist Alternative: Aboriginal incarceration rates soar
http://www.sa.org.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=7602:aborigina...
10 Dec 12: "The Commission’s key recommendation was to reduce the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander imprisonment. Yet the numbers of people locked up - and dying in custody - has grown. After the death of Kwementyaye Briscoe in Alice Springs, family spokesperson Patricia Morton-Thomas said he was "a victim of the NT Intervention". ... The last year has seen a 20 percent increase in the imprisonment rate of Aboriginal women." By Diane Fieldes
* BACKGROUND TO THE JUSTICE FOR KUMENTJAYE BRISCOE CAMPAIGN:
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/12/17/background-to-the-justice-for-kumentj...
WGAR News: Alice Springs Human Rights Day Rally demands justice for Kumentjaye Briscoe: MR (9 Dec 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/12/09/wgar-news-alice-springs-human-rights-...
Petition: Petitioning Chief Minister of the Northern Territory:
Justice for Kwementyaye Briscoe - lay charges against police
Petition by Trisha Morton Thomas, Alice Springs, Australia
http://www.change.org/petitions/justice-for-kwementyaye-briscoe-lay-char...
Rollback the Intervention: Lay charges for Briscoe death
http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/2012/11/24/lay-charges-for-...
WGAR News: "Coronial report highlights systemic flaws" ANTaR & National Police Accountability Network (21 Sep 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/09/21/wgar-news-coronial-report-highlights-...
WGAR News: STICS's response to Coroner’s report about the Death in Custody of Kwementyaye Briscoe (1 Oct 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/09/30/wgar-news-sticss-response-to-coroner%...
[STICS: Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney]
* BACKGROUND TO ABORIGINAL IMPRISONMENT AND DEATHS IN CUSTODY:
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/12/17/background-to-aboriginal-imprisonment...
Rollback the Intervention: Deaths in Custody
http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/deaths-in-custody/
WGAR News: "A mental health crisis behind bars" Tracker (29 Jul 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/07/26/wgar-news-a-mental-health-crisis-behi...
WGAR News: Let's Talk's Tiga Bayles interviews Gerry Georgatos on Deaths in Custody (27 Sep 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/09/26/wgar-news-lets-talks-tiga-bayles-inte...
WGAR News: Twenty per cent increase in Indigenous women in prisons: ABC The World Today Audio (10 Dec 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/12/10/wgar-news-twenty-per-cent-increase-in...
WGAR News: ISJA - Melbourne: Build the movement to Stop Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (10 Dec 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/12/10/wgar-news-twenty-per-cent-increase-in...
WGAR News: ANTaR: Justice Campaign (10 Dec 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/12/10/wgar-news-twenty-per-cent-increase-in...
* OTHER ARTICLES:
- News
National Indigenous Radio Service: Sansbury slams Labor: Nothing done on Adelaide's social problems
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7699-sansbury-slams-labor-nothin...
17 Dec 12: "A South Australian Aboriginal rights campaigner says a lack of will to address social problems among Adelaide's Aboriginal people means Labor is no longer the party for them. Former Labor state candidate Tauto Sansbury says he's quit the party because of their failure to discuss Indigenous issues at both a grassroots and government level, mainly for the urban population. Mr. Sansbury says problems such as poor mental health haven't been addressed and many social programs have been defunded."
- - -
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http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/30/about-wgar-news-working-group-for-abo...
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