Marking the 15th Anniversary Of the Redfern Speech - Time to Re-start Reconciliation
10 December 2007
ANTaR Victoria, Reconciliation Victoria and the LISTEN up! campaign marked the 15th Anniversary of former Prime Minister Paul Keating's Redfern Speech with the following joint statement today.
"The fifteenth anniversary of former Prime Minister Paul Keating's Redfern Speech on Human Rights Day is a reminder of how critical human rights is to restarting the reconciliation movement in the post-Howard environment.
After 11 years of culture wars from the previous Federal Government, the new Rudd Government has a historic opportunity to revisit the sincerity and truth of the Redfern Speech and re-imagine reconciliation.
Our hope is that the Rudd Government will re-commit to the critical conversation between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australia so that human rights, cultural respect and principles of self-determination and community empowerment will become the new environment for Indigenous affairs.
Despite the time we have lost in the false pathways of paternalism and covert assimilation we have the opportunity to set things rights once again between our peoples.
A clear sign of this will be
- the Australian Government carrying out it's commitment to sign the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,
- that word 'sorry' and
- a critical re-tuning of the Northern Territory Intervention so that Aboriginal communities are empowered to deal with child abuse, poor health and disadvantage.
The authors of the Little Children are Sacred Report made it clear that empowerment was the only way, a message which the Howard Government chose to avoid.
We therefore call on the new Rudd Government to respect Indigenous self-determination, connection and control of land and invest in Indigenous solutions, and not bureaucracies, so that the Indigenous peoples of Australia are no longer treated as political footballs.
It is time for deeper listening.
It is time to re-imagine a nation based on respect for our First Peoples.
So that one day we may find the road to reconciliation and an honourable sense of nationhood."
LISTEN Up! is a coalition of concerned organisations and individuals seeking a better response to Aboriginal and Islander disadvantage based on listening to Indigenous voices, communities and services. The website is www.listenupaustralia.org
Jill Webb - Chairperson ANTaR Victoria 0438 948 503
Frank Hytten - CEO Reconciliation Victoria 0432 345652
Peter Lewis - Convenor LISTENup Campaign - 0400586617
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Spillover of the Federal Political Landslide to NT Government Provide Ground-Breaking Opportunity to Aboriginal Minister
Monday, 26 November 2007
The spillover of the Federal political landslide to the NT government has provided a ground-breaking opportunity for NT Minister for Family and Community Services and Child Protection, Marion Scrymgour, who has become the first Indigenous woman to become Deputy Leader of a State or Territory government.
This follows earlier political ground-breaking by Scrymgour, when she became the first Aboriginal woman to hold a Ministerial position in a State or Territory.
In an unanticipated turn of events, Clare Martin and her Deputy Sid Stirling, stepped down from their posts of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of the Northern Territory. The new Chief Minister is Paul Henderson, the former Education Minister.
"Aboriginal people are estactic to see Marion Scrymgour as Deputy Chief Minister. Marion has always listened to her constituents and she has done her best for her people," said Ms Cummings. "We are very proud that an Indigenous woman has become Deputy Leader of a State or Territory government."
Ms Scrymgour has been very vocal in her criticisms of the NT intervention. In late October, she used the 2007 Charles Perkins Oration at Sydney University to blast both the motivation and its implementation, calling it a 'vicious new McCarthyism'.
The then Indigenous Affairs Minister, Mal Brough called for Ms Scrymgour's resignation, arguing that she was not prepared to help her own people. She later retracted the strength of some of her words.
The support of Aboriginal people for Ms Scrymgour's view of the intervention is indicated by the outcomes of the Federal election, which gave Labor returns of up to 95% in polling booths in some remote Northern Territory communities,including the community of Wadeye, regularly visited by Mal Brough.
In an ironic turn of events Ms Scrymgour has become Deputy Chief Minister, while the outgoing Indigenous Affairs Mal Brough has lost his seat.
"Marion stood up against the intervention," said Ms Cummings. "Her father, who passed away recently, was a member of the Stolen Generation. He would be really proud of her, as we are."
The news that Clare Martin has stepped down was met with some dismay.
"I am sorry to see Clare Martin go," said Eileen Cummings, former Policy Advisor to the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory. "Clare was very supportive of Aboriginal people. She made a point of funding family violence and sexual abuse programs, and she did the best she could with the resources available to her."
"The intervention made things very difficult her. The Federal government refused to take into account what the NT government was doing to address those issues-even programs that had been funded by the Federal government."
"Clare Martin has stepped aside in an order to allow new people to take advantage of a new situation", said Olga Havnen, CEO of the Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the NT. "The social policy area has been the greatest challenge faced by Clare Martin's government. Given the legacy of neglect of past governments, she was presented with an extraordinary challenge that the NT government could never hope to address on its own."
"What this country needs is well-informed evidence-based policy making," said Ms Havnen. "We have to identify what we know works, and be honest about the level of resourcing and investment that is needed to make the necessary changes".
"While we have always welcomed the increase commitment of Federal resources to the NT, we have been concerned that these resources were not producing the results that communities need." Said Ms Havnen. "Now we have an opportunity to realign those resources so that they provide effective community outcomes. Effective outcomes do not include the more than 700 pus new public servant positions that have been created so far."
"Marion Scrymgour has enormous support from her constituency and she is well placed to contribute to Territory leadership in this critical period of transition," said Ms Havnen.
Ms Scrymgour was one of the first, and most prominent, endorsees of the grassroots campaign 'Women for Wik-Monitoring the Federal Action in the NT.'
CONTACTS:
Olga Havnen
Mobile: 0488 107 060
Email: olga.havnen@gmail.com
Eileen Cummings
Mobile: 0412 463 218
Email: eileen.cummings@hotmail.com
NT Aboriginal Vote Calls Intervention into Question
Sunday, 25 November 2007
The grassroots organisation Women for Wik, which has been monitoring the Federal intervention in the Northern Territory, has called on the incoming Rudd Labor government to honor its pre-election promises to Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory.
"When they were at that election place, Aboriginal people said 'We don't want that CLP paper, we want that other paper, that good paper," said Rachel Willika, of Eva Valley community. "We didn't want that intervention government. We voted for that good government."
Newly re-elected Labor MP for Lingiari Warren Snowden received an unprecedented vote in remote communities. The Maningrida booth in the Top End got a 94 per cent vote for Labor, while four other mobile remote area voting booths returned Labor votes at a rate of between an 84 and 95 per cent.
Aboriginal people from remote communities in the Northern Territory have supported Snowden's call for the re-instatement of the permit system and for ceasation of the move off CDEP to work for the dole.
"That new government should stop those Centrelink people moving us on to work for the dole," said Ms Willika, "Those Centerlink people are coming to Eva Valley tomorrow. We don't like that work for the dole. We want real jobs."
"We voted for Labor to stop that intervention and to get our permit system back," said Nell Brown, senior traditional owner of Bagula clan lands, Barunga community, "We've been fighting to get our permit system back."
"We need to meet with Mr Rudd as soon as possible. We supported Labor through the electoral process, and we want address the issues," said Eileen Cummings, former Policy Advisor to the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory.
"The Federal government took away our rights. We want these rights reinstated and we want a proper consultation process. We want to work with the Rudd Labor government to work out the best way forward for the benefit of Aboriginal people. "
"There needs to be a meeting as soon as practicable, given that aspects of this intervention are causing enormous hardships and distress', said Olga Havnen, CEO of the Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the NT.
"We need to re-align the intervention so that there are better outcomes at a community level, and a more effective focus on the protection of children."
"The results of this election calls into question the legal basis of the NT intervention-the circumvention of the Racial Discrimination Act on the basis that the intervention was for the good of the affected people," said Associate Professor, Claire Smith, a social scientist with 20 years research experience in remote communities in the Northern Territory.
"What is for the 'good' of people has to be judged by the individuals themselves. Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory have clearly judged that the intervention as currently implemented is not benefiting them."
CONTACTS:
Olga Havnen
Mobile: 0488 107 060
Email: olga.havnen@gmail.com
Eileen Cummings
Mobile: 0412 463 218
Email: eileen.cummings@hotmail.com
Brough's Loss is Aboriginal People's Win
Sunday, 25 November 2007
The grassroots organisation Women for Wik, which has been monitoring the Federal intervention in the Northern Territory, has described the change of Federal government as a potentially transforming moment in relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, lost his seat, with a swing of around 10%, almost twice the national average.
"Mal Brough has lost the trust of Aboriginal people, and John Howard has lost the trust of the Australian people," said Olga Havnen, CEO of the Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the NT.
"The magnitude of a swing against Mal Brough shows that the Northern Territory intervention has been a low-key but critical factor in this election," said Ms Havnen. "Not only is this intervention a travesty against Aboriginal people's rights, but it has been a shambles."
"This election result is a moral victory for Australia," said Eileen Cummings, former Policy Advisor to the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, "This election was decided on moral grounds, rather than economic self-interest. We thank the Australian people for their support."
"That John Howard has no heart," said Rachel Willika, of Eva Valley community. "This intervention is hurting Aboriginal families. Maxine McKew said Kevin Rudd would be a great Prime Minister for children. I hope he is a great Prime Minister for all children, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal."
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia represents the very heart of Australia, with its deep relationship to the land, it's art and it's dance", said Christine Olsen, writer-producer of the film Rabbit Proof Fence. "The Howard government has never understood this but Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have continued to survive despite all the attacks on them."
"Let us hope that under the incoming Labor government Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be given their rightful recognition as not only the original owners of this land but as the living, breathing, heart of this country," said Ms Olsen.
"Aboriginal people have supported the Labor Party. Now it's time for the Labor Party to show us that our support is justified," said Ms Cummings, "We want to meet with Kevin Rudd as soon as possible. We can't wait for a review after 12 months."
CONTACTS:
Olga Havnen
Mobile: 0488 107 060
Email: olga.havnen@gmail.com
Eileen Cummings
Mobile: 0412 463 218
Email: eileen.cummings@hotmail.com
Christine Olsen
Mobile: 02 9810 2138
Email: christineolsen@wix.com.au
NT Intervention Damages Sacred Site
Monday, 12 November 2007
The grassroots organisation Women for Wik, which has been monitoring the Federal intervention in the Northern Territory, expressed dismay at the revelation that a pit toilet has been built on a sacred site in the Aboriginal township of Numbulwar, one of the 73 communities directly affected by the intervention.
"This has occurred despite repeated assurances by Prime Minister Howard and his Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, that sacred sites would be protected", said Olga Havnen, CEO of the Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the NT. "This is an example of how the whole approach to the intervention is fundamentally flawed. The desecration of sacred sites is not something that can be repaired."
In his 25 June Address to the Sydney Institute, the Prime Minister stated that 'The permit system for common areas, road corridors and airstrips for prescribed communities on Aboriginal land will be scrapped. Private residences and sacred sites will continue to be protected.'
"What a mob of idiots! Where is the consultation process?" said Eileen Cummings, former Policy Advisor to the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory. "You don't just go in and build something without talking to people. How can people know what is sacred and what isn't if they don't ask?"
"I am not surprised that this could happen, given that the Federal government is employing a deliberate policy of not consulting with Aboriginal communities. Even Telecom wouldn't put a line down without talking to the traditional owners."
"The Northern Territory has some of the most important archaeological sites in the world, and this government has put in place a process that is damaging sites, when it should be protecting them. This government is not fulfilling its duty to the Australian people, or to the international community." said Claire Smith, President of the World Archaeological Congress.
"We are now in the bizarre situation whereby sites of global significance are under threat by the actions, and inattention, of an Australian government," said Associate Professor Smith. "Independent contractors are engaged to conduct work without being given any proper cultural training or supervision. This is due a failure in oversight."
"This blatant disregard for Aboriginal women's culture shows the flaws in the heavy handed and insensitive approach taken by this intervention. Mal Brough said that sacred sites would be protected. He lied." said Larissa Behrendt, Professor of Law at the University of Technology, Sydney.
"This shows that we were justified in our concern that the abolition of the permit system would result in damage to sacred areas." said Ms Cummings, "Warren Snowdon expressed concern about this some time ago, but Mal Brough assured us that this would not happen. Well, Snowden was right, and Brough was wrong."
This government is showing a complete lack of respect. They would not dare do this with any form of property owner ion the country", said Ms Havnen. "Try telling someone else in suburban Australia that you are going to erect a shed in their backyard, or rip down their carport, or remove their clothesline. They would not tolerate it. And these are hardly sites of significance."
CONTACTS:
Olga Havnen
Mobile: 0488 107 060
Email: olga.havnen@gmail.com
Larissa Behrendt
Phone: 02 9514 9655
Email: Larissa.Behrendt@uts.edu.au
Eileen Cummings
Mobile: 0412 463 218
Email: eileen.cummings@hotmail.com
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Intervention Dollars Missing Their Target
The grassroots organization Women for Wik, recently re-formed to monitor the Federal Action in the Northern Territory, responded to Galarrwuy Yunupingu's call for new ways to deal with disadvantage in Aboriginal communities, stating that Women for Wik are concerned that the intervention dollars are being spent on the wrong targets, and that this will hinder successful outcomes.
"We all agree that there is great need in Aboriginal communities. We've had decades of neglect, and disempowering and dispiriting empty promises from governments, both Labor and Liberal," said Eileen Cummings, former policy advisor to the Chief Minister of the NT. "We do need new ways of thinking, but we also need to hold on to what is working. We want to be careful of reinventing the wheel or fracturing existing services."
"While we recognise that this is an opportunity, it must be made into an opportunity to get it right. It is about doing the right thing, not just doing some thing", said Olga Havnen, CEO of the Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the NT.
"Too much money is being spent on the wrong things," said Ms Haven, "This is supposed to be about looking after children, but after 100 days, there are still no additional child protection services. Instead, we have 700 new public service positions, including 300 positions with Centrelink to manage the income quarantining of around 25,000 people, at a cost of $88 million for the first year alone."
"The implementation of this intervention is shaped by a mindset oriented towards managing dysfunction," said Associate Professor Claire Smith, a social scientist
who has worked with remote communities in the NT for almost 20 years.
"This fails to recognise the many successes that exist in Aboriginal communities, much less reinforce, or extend, these successes. At the moment, functional communities are treated as if they are dysfunctional-and this is deeply offensive to the people involved."
With 1.3 billion dollars now committed to the intervention, the Women for Wik group expressed concern about a lack of planning, transparency, accountability or targeted, measurable outcomes. The whole of government approach to the funding of Indigenous affairs has been called into question by the recent findings from the Australian National Audit Office that could identify only one success out of eight trial areas, over a three year period.
Ms Cummings said "The approach being taken by the Federal government is the direct opposite to the six principles put forward by the Council of Australian Government in the National Framework for Preventing Violence and Child Abuse in Indigenous Communities, particularly that concerning the adoption of a partnership approach with communities."
"The only way the intervention can succeed-and the only way for the Australian government to achieve practical reconciliation-is through the voluntary and informed participation of the community. At the moment, many people in communities are bewildered, angry or frightened. This could have been prevented if there had been proper communication."
"If the intervention is going to earn the trust of Aboriginal people, they need proof that they are going to have good outcomes", said Ms Havnen, "The only tangible evidence on the ground so far is new houses for government officials".
Contacts & Further Information:
Olga Havnen
CEO of the Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the Northern Territory
Mobile: 0488 107 060
Email: olga.havnen@gmail.com
Eileen Cummings
Former policy advisor to Clare Martin, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory
Mobile: 0412 463 218
Email: eileen.cummings@hotmail.com
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Top End Aboriginal Women Support Scrymgour
Friday, 26 October 2007
Aboriginal women from the Top End have expressed their support of Aboriginal MP Marion Scrymgour's attack on the Federal intervention in the Northern Territory. Scrymgour used the 2007 Charles Perkins Oration at Sydney University to blast both the motivation and implementation of the intervention, attacking it as a 'vicious new McCarthyism'.
Indigenous Affairs Minister, Mal Brough, has suggested that Ms Scrymgour's views do not represent those of Aboriginal people in communities, describing her as 'just another politican', and has called for Ms Scrymgour's resignation.
Aboriginal women in the Top End expressed concern about Mr Brough's attack on Ms Scrymgour. Eileen Cummings, former policy advisor to the NT Chief Minister on Women's and Indigenous Affairs said "I absolutely disagree with Mr Brough, and I support Marion Scrymgour all the way. She knows what is happening in the communities she represents."
Ms Cummings is part of the Women for Wik group, which is monitoring the Federal Action in the NT. She is in Sydney to give a presentation at the NSW Reconciliation Council Conference held at Redfern Community Centre this weekend.
"This is why people voted for Marion, because she is strong and speaks out", said Anne-Marie Lee, Vice President of Barunga Community. "We need people like her, and Barbara McCarthy. They know what is going on and they represent us. They have strong voices to speak on behalf of countrymen."
"They are our people as well. If we don't have those kind of people sitting on those seats in parliament, none of us will know what is going on." said Anne-Marie Lee. "We need more information from the government. Everyone here is confused, and worried, especially about the abolition of the CDEP program, and the revoking of the permit system."
"Marion Scrymgour is simply expressing the concerns of her constituents. The same concerns have been expressed to me", said Olga Havnen, CEO of the Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the NT.
Ms Scrymgour also received support from Irene Fisher, CEO of Sunrise Health, which has responsibility for health service delivery to 10 remote Aboriginal communities in the NT, said "My first response when I heard about this was to send an email to Marion saying 'Thank God someone has the courage to stand up to these bully boys.'
Ms Fisher continued "This intervention is characterised by poor planning, poor communication a disturbing lack of tranparency. This lack of transparency is an issue for all Australians."
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Howard's "Reconciliation" Slammed By NT Aboriginal Women
Friday, 12 October 2007
Aboriginal women who have come to Sydney and Canberra to speak at Public Forums on the Federal Intervention in the Northern Territory are sceptical of the Prime Minister’s statement that he seeks reconciliation with Indigenous Australians.
"The statement by the Prime Minister is intellectually incoherent and inconsistent with his past practices", said Olga Havnen, CEO of the Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the Northern Territory. "This Prime Minister does not have the credibility - or the trust of the Australian people-to lead a genuine process of reconciliation."
"This is too little, too late. This statement is completely at odds with the Prime Minister’s interactions with Aboriginal people over the past 11 years. It is appalling for him to now acknowledge the past mistreatment of Aboriginal peoples when his government has passed NT Emergency legislation that over-rides the rights and entitlements of Aboriginal people as citizens of this nation", said Ms Havnen.
"This statement is the death rattle of a dying government. He is clutching at straws to stay in power. The Prime Minister has been making statements like this since 1998, but what has he done in this time?" said Ms Eileen Cummings, Former Policy Advisor to the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory.
"In 1999 he said that he wanted to honour Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders for their 'deep kinship with their lands, and for their ancient and continuing cultures.' Ms Eileen Cummings said, "However, his actions have attacked Aboriginal culture, Aboriginal relationships to land, and the integrity of Aboriginal families. And unlike hundreds of thousands of Australians he refused say 'sorry' or to march for reconciliation."
These Aboriginal women from the Northern Territory will be speaking in Public Forums on the weekend in Canberra and Sydney.
"The Federal intervention in the Northern Territory is causing enormous confusion, bewilderment and worry for Aboriginal people. They are searching for answers - and these answers are not going to come from John Howard." said Raelene Rosas, one of the organisers of the grassroots campaign, Women for Wik-Monitoring the Federal Action in the Northern Terrritory. "Aboriginal people don’t trust the Prime Minister, or the Indigenous Affairs Minister, Mal Brough. How can this government lead the country into reconciliation?"
"If the Prime Minister is genuine in his commitment to reconciliation he must amend immediately the NT Emergency Response legislation and the Native Title Act to remove the racially discrimination elements of these acts and to restore the integrity of the Racial Discrimination Act", said Ms Havnen.
"While Howard has professed his commitment to 'practical' reconciliation to improve the socio-economic well being of Indigenous Australians, he has failed miserably by any socio-economic measure." Ms Havnen said.
"The gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians has continued to widen under the period of his leadership. What we need is genuine engagement to address not only the symbolic and the practical, but also to find accommodation about our legal and political status as first peoples."
Public Forums
Canberra
3pm, Saturday, 13th October, as part of ANTaR meeting, National Museum of Australia
Sydney
2-4pm, Sunday, 14th October, Australia Hall, 150 Elizabeth Street, Sydney.
Worldwide Women's Protest Against Federal Action In The Northern Territory
An international women's day of action is planned for Friday, October 19 to protest against the Australian Government's action in Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.
Women for Wik, a grassroots organisation of Indigenous and non-Indigenous women, has attracted more than 1500 signatures on its website and at least one international sister group since going public on this issue two weeks ago.
A group of women from Australia, Scotland and France, organised a protest at the Australian Consulate in Edinburgh on September 13.
Organiser Kate Worland, said, 'It is vital to raise awareness all over the world about what is going on right now in Australia. We need to stop the implementation of this draconian legislation any way we can.'
Women for Wik, originally formed in 1997 to combat the Howard Government's attempts to extinguish native title, is calling on Australian women around the world will organise similar events on October 19. Action kits are available through the Women for Wik website, www.womenforwik.org.
Australian organiser, Associate Professor Claire Smith, says "We live in an interconnected world. Once we started providing access to information about the impact of this Federal action on Aboriginal community people, it was inevitable that this movement would garner international support."
'It is ironic that this occurred on the same day that the UN Declaration of Rights for Indigenous peoples passed. This shows how far Australia is out of step with the rest of the world', says Associate Professor Smith.
Professor Lynn Meskell of Stanford University says: "It is not enough that the Prime Minister has Australians involved in a war abroad that is not our own, we have begun persecuting and dominating our own people at home."
Professor Meskell continues: "Like one million other Australian citizens, I live overseas. This does not mean that I do not notice, or care about, what happens in Australia.'
Legislation allowing the Australian government's action in Northern Territory Aboriginal communities passed the Senate in August. The government seized control of around 70 Aboriginal towncamps and community centres. This has been done without consultation with Aboriginal organisations.
The Government acted in response to the Little Child Are Sacred report that reported widespread child abuse in NT Aboriginal communities. But even the authors of the report say the feel they betrayed by the Government's response to this report.
Federal actions include alcohol and pornography controls and controversial changes to the permit system for access to Indigenous land. Many opponents, including Women for Wik, object to the way the child-abuse issue has been linked to land rights.
"This wouldn't be accepted by any other section of the Australian society," says Olga Havnen, Indigenous leader and CEO of the Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the Northern Territory. "If they tried to implement this against women, or Jews, or gays, the country would be in an uproar. Why do we accept it for Aboriginal people?"
Background Information
WOMEN FOR WIK-MONITORING THE FEDERAL ACTION IN THE NT STATEMENT
The Federal Action in the Northern Territory could provide a unique opportunity to improve conditions in Aboriginal communities, but there is also a real possibility that it may make things worse. As currently planned, it will undermine key aspects of Aboriginal societies - country, kin and culture. Moreover, by using a top-down approach, it has the potential to work against self-government and, in some instances, contravene human rights. This will not improve the lives of Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory.
Accordingly, we call on both Federal and Territory governments to recognise the importance of Indigenous identity and develop an environment of mutual respect through cross-cultural awareness, communication and engagement. Like the many Australians who walked the Sydney Harbour Bridge in support of reconciliation, we believe our generation can ensure a fair go for Indigenous citizens.
Supporters
Prominent women supporting us monitoring the Federal Action in the Northern Territory include Lady Deane, Tamie Fraser, Lowitja O'Donoghue, Justice Elizabeth Evatt, Helen Caldicott, Anne Deveson, Kate Grenville, Gabi Hollows, Faith Bandler, Anita Heiss, Margaret Fulton, Rosemary Stanton, Judith Rodriguez, Drusilla Modjeska, Margaret Pomeranz and Fiona Foley.
Contacts
Eileen Cummings, Former Policy Advisor to the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory on Aboriginal and Women's Affairs, 0412 463218
Associate Professor Claire Smith, President World Archaeological Congress, 0424388925
Mary O'Malley, Press Officer, 0438881124
Women Re-Unite To Monitor Government Intervention In Aboriginal Communities
Women for Wik, a group of prominent Australian women, has been reignited to independently monitor the implementation of the Federal Government's intervention in Aboriginal communities.
"Women for Wik" was formed in 1997 and was endorsed by 130 women's organisations, representing hundreds of thousands of Australian women. Its original members included Ruth Cracknell, Jane Campion and Justice Elizabeth Evatt. It received overwhelming mainstream support.
The group was inspired by a speech by Lady Deane, the wife of the then Governor-General, Sir William Deane, who said women had to take the lead on the issue of reconciliation. This week Lady Deane reaffirmed this view stating "It is up to the women of Australia to get our country back on the path of reconciliation."
"Women for Wik" intends to independently monitor the implementation of the Federal Government plan, both now and in the future.
A co-founder of the original group, writer Rosie Scott, said "10 years ago we raised issues that had been effectively hidden, and helped to disprove the fear campaign that Indigenous people would take over our backyards. We now intend to go through the same process with the Federal Government intervention in the Northern Territory. We intend to provide a voice for the women of the Northern Territory whose lives are being directly affected."
Lowitja O'Donoghue, a member of the original group and former Chairperson of ATSIC stated "The Northern Territory intervention is patronising and unworkable. We need policies that will take us forward, not backwards."
Christine Olsen, writer-producer of the film Rabbit-Proof Fence, said "The answer to the problem is the support of Aboriginal culture. Not the destruction of it."
Statements Of Support
This wouldn't be accepted by any other section of the Australian society. If they tried to implement this against women, or Jews, or gays, the country would be in an uproar. Why do we accept it for Aboriginal people? Olga Havnen, Indigenous leader and CEO, Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the NT (and founder of the original Women for Wik group).
In 1931 Molly walked home with her two sisters, following the rabbit proof fence. Mr Neville, the Government Protector, was outwitted and defeated. Now, 76 years later, John Howard is subjecting Aboriginal communities to the kinds of laws and the kind of thinking which Mr Neville used. Mr Howard says that "Unless the Indigenous people of this country become part of the mainstream of the nation, their future is bleak." Aboriginal culture lies at the very heart of this country. What will we do if that is destroyed. Christine Olsen, writer & producer of the film Rabbit-Proof Fence.
"The quality of justice in a democracy is measured by the quality of rights the weakest and most vulnerable enjoy. Women know this. Indigenous Australians know this. But does the Federal Government?" Diane Bell, Emerita Professor of Anthropology, George Washington University, DC; Professor of Anthropology, University of Adelaide.
Available For Media Interviews:
Christine Olsen
(writer & producer, Rabbit-Proof Fence)
Phone: 02 9810 2138
Mobile: 0414 627 712
Email: christineolsen@iinet.net.au
Rosie Scott
(writer & co-founder of original "Women for Wik")
Phone: 02 9552 1427
Mobile: 0405 608 707
Email: rosie@amaze.net.au
Further Info/Images/Interviews:
Jo Smith
Mobile: 0411 888 664
Phone: 02 9557 4253
Email: agsc@cia.com.au |
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