Darwin, Saturday, 15th September, 2007
Click here for the media release.
Protestors rally against NT intervention
Public Rally. 10am, Raintree Park, Smith Street Mall, Darwin.
We were asking the question: "What has this legislation go to do with saving the children?"
Darwin rally hears Federal Government has "betrayed its own people".
Brisbane, Tuesday, 18th September, 2007
Public Forum. 5.30-8pm Ahimsa House, 26 Horan St, West End.
Australia: Blak - White: Who are we? What's happening? A facilitated discussion forum for the general public.
A Forum led by Shar Edmunds and Penny Watson, two private, non-Indigenous individuals supported in this venture by friends and colleagues who are concerned about the deteriorating relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. In the current climate of confusion, opinion and debate most recently occasioned by the Government's Emergency Response to the "Little Children are Sacred" report their aim is to provide a space for ordinary people to engage with this topic. Organised in collaboration with Women for Wik -Monitoring the Federal Action in the NT and Oxfam's National Close the Gap Day actions.
An opportunity for Australians to come together to show their support for closing the 17-year life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other Australians. Organised by Oxfam Australia. Click here to find out what is going on in your state or territory.
Ballarat, Thursday, 20th September, 2007
Public forum: Is the Federal Government's reaction to the Little Children are Sacred report appropriate? The speaker is Professor Ian Anderson.
Canberra, Tuesday, 25 September, 2007
Related Event: RMAP Research Seminar - Jon Altman (CAEPR Director)
12.30-2.00pm, Seminar Room B (Arndt Room) Coombs Building, Australian National University
POLICY FAILURE IN INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS:
THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS AND LIKELY LEGACIES OF THE NT EMERGENCY INTERVENTION
On June 21 2007 the Australian government dramatically declared a
'national emergency' in relation to child sex abuse in the Northern
Territory. In an unprecedented set of actions the Commonwealth has taken direct control of communities, overriding the authority of both the NT
government and local community organisations using the territory powers
conferred under the Australian constitution. Subsequently in August 2007
these actions and others were enshrined in Australian law. This seminar
addresses the immediate policy background to this intervention and then
from a development anthropology perspective assesses the likely social
and economic impacts of these new laws on prescribed communities and
their residents. It is argued in the seminar that for a wide range of
reasons the new measures are unlikely to work and indeed may result in
adverse and unsustainable outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
Darwin, Thursday, 27th September, 2007
March from Raintree Park at 5.00 pm to Mindil Beach (the world famous sunset markets that generally attract around 10,000 people) to watch the sunset.
Walk For Strong Communities - Flyer 1
Walk For Strong Communities - Flyer 2
Adelaide, Friday, 28th September, 2007
Forum on Monitoring the Federal Government Action in the Northern Territory, at the Cultural Heritage, Social Justice and Ethical Globalisation symposium, State Library of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide. Speakers include Northern Territory Aboriginal women, Rachel Willika, Sybil Ranch, Eileen Cummings, Olga Havnen, and Raelene Rosas.
Click here for photos
Archeologists with an interest in social justice and ethics gathered in Adelaide in late September for a symposium run by the World Archeological Congress.
They heard from four Aboriginal women from the Northern Territory -- Olga Havnen, Rachel Willika, Raylene Rosas and Eileen Cummings - who were there to let people know about the impact of the Federal Governments 'intervention in the Northern Territory.
The international guests were struck by the great difference between the real experiences and fears of Aboriginal communities and the australia they read about in the tourist brochures. The international guests, who include Jan Turek, from the institute of Archeological Heritage in the Czech Republic, Anne Pyburn from Indiana University in the USA and Gabriel Cooney, from University College, Dublin in Ireland spoke to Paris Dean on Radio Adelaide's program Represent, Friday September 28.
Soundfile: International Views (2MB)
Soundfile: Olga Havnen (7MB)
Soundfile: Rachel Willika (474K)
Soundfile: Raylene Rosas (2MB)
Soundfile: Eileen Cummings (1.5MB)
Soundfile: Eileen Cummings (1.5MB)
Soundfile: Your Rights At Night (6MB)
Soundfiles recorded by Radio Adelaide
Sydney, Thursday, 4th October, 2007
COMMUNITY FORUM ON THE GOVERNMENT'S EMERGENCY
INTERVENTION IN THE NT
When: 6.30pm, Thursday 4th October 2007
Where: Redfern Community Centre, Hugo St, Redfern
Understanding the Government's intervention in the NT!
What has happened and why?
What are the implications for the up coming federal election?
If the Government changes, what will Labor's policies be?
This forum brings together representatives from the Aboriginal
community to share their views on the Government's emergency
intervention.
The Government's intervention followed the Anderson and Wild report
into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse. The
Federal Government initiated an 'emergency response' and have since
passed several amendments and legislation. These include new powers to
manage welfare benefits of all Aboriginal people in the NT, changes to
land rights (eg axing of permit system to communities), assumption of 5
year lease over Aboriginal land and greater controls by the Minister
for Aboriginal Affairs (eg Minister can determine who can live in the
community) and changes to bail and criminal law.
This intervention has been criticised as compromising human rights,
democracy, freedom, self-determination and Indigenous rights. At the
same time the Anderson and Wild report identified very serious issues
and the need for an urgent community led response.
This forum will explain the intervention and its implications for
Aboriginal people nationally in the lead-up to the federal election.
Speakers:
Olga Havnen Coordinator, combined Aboriginal organizations of the
NT.
Speaker on Indigenous customary law and land rights.
Pat O'Shane, NSW Magistrate
Chaired by Councillor Roy Ah See, (Sydney/ Newcastle) NSW Aboriginal
Land Council.
RSVP: Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women's Legal Centre
Phone: (02) 9569 3847 or e-mail -Krista_Christensen@clc.net.au or
Leonie_Mason@clc.net.au
Light Refreshment provided.
organised by:
UTS research group - Cosmopolitan Civil Societies, with support from
Mudgin-gal Women's and Children's Service,
Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council,
Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women's Legal Centre and,
Redfern Community Centre.
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Canberra, Saturday, 13th October, 2007
Venue: National Museum of Australia, Canberra, ACT.
FREE PUBLIC EVENTS
Part of the National Congress for Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation. National Museum of Australia.
"Taking back the Agenda"
Some of Australia's most prominent Indigenous leaders, including Tom Calma, Olga Havnen, Muriel Bamblett and Judy Atkinson, comment on the current situation.
Women for Wik. Discussion Panel. Speakers include Northern Territory Aboriginal women Eileen Cummings, Olga Havnen, Rachel Willika and Raelene Rosas. For more information visit www.antar.org.au/congress.
View pictures
Sydney, Sunday, 14th October, 2007
Will it really help the children or have they got it wrong? Come and meet
Aboriginal women from the NT and hear what is really happening.
Olga Havnen, Eileen Cummings, Raelene Rosas, Rachel Willika
Chair: Anita Heiss
This is a rare opportunity to hear from women in affected communities.
Australia Hall
150 Elizabeth Street Sydney
Sunday October 14th
2 - 4pm
Location:
Australia Hall / Kookaburra The National Musical Theatre Company
Lvl1/ 150 Elizabeth St
between Liverpool & Goulburn sts
Sydney 2000
(02) 9267 2566
Contact for info on the day:
Robyn Bersten 0411 627 824 - email - robynbersten@hotkey.net.au
Bookings are not neccessary but please email us if you are coming so we have an idea of the total attendees.
Closest car park is :
Wilson parking
9am - 11pm
$10 flat fee on sundays
Cnr Goulburn & Elizabeth sts
Enter via Goulburn st
Sydney Forum, Australia Hall, 14th October
Click here to view the flyer
Click here to view the map
Darwin, Sunday, 14th October, 2007
Choose Peace
Old Wesleyan Church
George Brown Botanic Gardens
3.00 pm, Sunday 14 October
Activities for Children
Speakers, Music, Poetry
White Dove Release
Information Stalls
Everyone is invited to express their experiences of violence, images of peace, words to inspire.
ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND
Phone Susan 8981 8323 for more info
What's on during a Week Without Violence (14-20 October)
Click here to view the flyer
Violence & Peace - Art & Poetry
Darwin, Wednesday, 17th October, 2007
Walk Against Violence Everywhere
Banyan View Lodge (Car Park)
119 Mitchell St.
Walk starts @7.00am
Bring a banner, Carry a flag, Blow a whistle, Take a stand
Week Without Violence
14-20 October 2007
Ph: 8981 8323
Click here to view the flyer
Alice Springs, Thursday 18th October
Workshop on the NT intervention - Tangentyere Council , Elder St
Information about the intervention, especially for women from remote communities and town camps.
Click here to view agenda
Alice Springs, Friday 19th October
11.30 am-2pm approx Public Meeting and Rally, at the Lawns opposite the Court House
Melbourne, Friday, 19th October, 2007
Public Forum on Monitoring the Federal Action in the NT.
Scheduled to co-incide with our International Day of Action. Koorie Heritage Trust, 295 King Street, Melbourne.
Contact Liz Connor, liz.conor@unimelb.edu.au, 9481 1180
View pictures
Katoomba, Friday, 19th October, 2007
NT Action Group
Next Meeting - 10 am - 12 noon , then lunch at
Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre - on the same day as Wik for Women
Action Day
- Presented by Sara Blazey, Elizabeth Evatt Community Legal Centre
- Facilitated by Elizabeth Evatt Community Legal Centre & Katoomba
- Neighbourhood Centre
- Give a summary of what has happened so far
- Easy guide to NT legislation and what it does
- Provide short resource which can be used for lobbying/education
- Look at strategy for NSW and Breaking the Silence
- Look at strategy for NT
Darwin, Friday, 19th October, 2007
Last month, over 200 people walked from central Darwin to Mindil Beach through the first rains of the wet season.
The Walk for Strong Communities was organised by the Intervention Reform Coalition to give Darwin residents an opportunity to express support for the rights of indigenous Territorians.
"The Federal Government Intervention into indigenous communities is heavy-handed and inappropriate," spokesperson Rob Wesley Smith said. "It cannot be denied that decades of neglect and centuries of occupation have created dysfunction and deep-rooted problems in indigenous communities. However, we believe that a community development approach, based on decades of reports and recommendations should be the way forward."
It was really encouraging to see so many people prepared to brave the rain to express their support for indigenous self-determination.
But it was disappointing that, with the markets cancelled, so few people were there to see us. So this month, we're going to do it again; only we'll skip the walk and go straight to Mindil Beach, where once again we'll join hands as we watch the sunset.
To be a part of it, gather at 6pm near the tennis courts, then join hands with us on the beach at 6:30pm.
Other activities of the Intervention Reform Coalition:
Friday 19th October - Bennett Park, (cnr Bennett and Mitchell Sts) In solidarity with other events occurring on this day around the country, we'll stage an installation representing the 97 recommendations of the 'Little Children are Sacred' report. Gather at 12pm for a guest speaker.
www.federalintervention.info
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Darwin, Friday, 19th October, 2007
Hands of Support,
Mindil Beach, meet at Tennis Courts 6pm
Flyers, information leaflets and joining of hands on the beach at sunset.
Click here to view flyer
University of Queensland, 23rd October 2007
Aboriginal Women Have Answers Themselves
12:00-2:00pm, Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, Don Carruthers Room, Level 5, Dorothy Hill PSE Library, Hawken Building, University of Queensland.
Presentation by Dr Zohl de Ishtar
Click here to view program
Darwin, 25th October 2007
Our 'Walk for strong communities' last month was a great event with over 200 people marching from town to Mindil.
Only problem was, with the markets cancelled due to rain, there were few people to witness the climax. So we're going to gather again at Mindil Beach for the last Sunday markets of the year, and line up along the beach at sunset, holding hands in solidarity with NT communities impacted by the intervention.
Dress in black. Meet at 6pm near the tennis courts. Join hands on the beach at 6:30
Sydney, 27th & 28th October 2007
NSW Reconciliation Council Conference at Darlington Public School. Community Forum to be held at Redfern Community Centre as part of the Conference on Saturday 27th from 3pm.
Click here to view program
Click here to view flyer
Darwin, 1st November 2007
Understanding
and challenging
the Federal
Intervention
The National Aboriginal Alliance will stage a public meeting in Darwin to discuss the impacts and implications of the Federal Intervention in NT communities.
6:30pm at Mal Nairn Auditorium, Charles Darwin University.
contact us for more details.
Click here to view flyer
Canberra, Saturday 10 November
Rock against Racism
5pm Aboriginal Tent Embassy (opposite Old Parliament House)
Would you like to show solidarity with Aboriginal people in the run-up
to polling day?
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy (opposite Old Parliament House) is hosting
a ROCK AGAINST RACISM concert on Saturday 10 November from 5pm onwards.
There will be several bands, some speeches and some sizzling
sausages... and an opportunity to meet Aboriginal people and show where
we stand on racist policies, whichever political party they come from.
Contact Nicky Coles, ncoles@netspeed.com.au
National, Tuesday 13 November
Protest meeting re NT legislation
11:00am outside the parliament of each state or territory
Public protest/gatherings/actions organised by WomenSpeak. Key messages for the events will be taken from the concerns about the NT intervention outlined by Women for Wik - Monitoring the Federal Intervention. For more information contact WomenSpeak Network Coordinator, Kathy Richards, Phone 02 6230 5150, mobile 0413 065 822, email womenspeak@ywca.org.au
Adelaide, Wednesday 14 November
Human Rights Coalition Election Forum
5.45 pm- 8.00pm, Otherway Centre, 185 Pirie Street, Adelaide
Opening addresses by two Aboriginal women each with a long history of activism in support of Northern Territory Aboriginal communities, one Arrende and one from the Top End.
Candidates from the Liberal Party, ALP, Greens, Democrats, Family First, and Nick Xenophon have been invited to express their views on the Intervention
Chaired by Chris Egan (Ngarrindjeri, Ramandjeri and Gurindji), former Public Servant specialising in Equity issues
There has been evidence of, and media attention to, gross dysfunction
among many Aboriginal communities for most if not all of the 11 years the
Howard government has been in office.
A few short months ago, John Howard initiated the Federal Government
Northern Territory intervention to address child abuse and community
dysfunction. The response to the initiative among Aboriginal leaders has
been very mixed, with concern being voiced about negative impacts of the
intervention, including invasion of the human rights of Aboriginal people.
Two Aboriginal community activists and candidates from the Liberal Party,
ALP, Greens, Democrats, Family First, and Nick Xenophon have been invited
to a Human Coalition Election Forum to express their views on the
Intervention. Outcomes of the event will be forwarded to all the parties.
Whatever your view, it is important to let the political parties
contesting the election know. If you don't attend any other pre-election
forum, make sure you come along to this one!
Enquiries to Sue Gilbey 8410 0303
Brisbane, Saturday 17 November
Rally and March
11am, Queens Park, George and Elizabeth Streets
This rally and march is being held in protest against the Howard government's policies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This involves a march, so you are reminded to bring a hat and a bottle of water. A number of Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory will be holding a rally or meeting in solidarity at noon that day. For more information contact Sam Watson, mobile 0401 2274 443, email watson@oznetcom.com.au
Darwin, 17th November
National Day of Action for indigenous rights
10 am, meet at Saville Hotel and walk to Raintree Park
There will be a gathering at Raintree Park following this protest march. Music, speakers, information.
Intervention, UN convention, reconciliation, Aotearoa solidarity.
Click here for poster
Click here for more info
Perth, 17th November
10am at Wesley Church cnr William & Hay Sts, Perth
Speakers include: Professor Ted Wilkes (National Drug Research
Institute Curtin University),
Dennis Eggington (Aboriginal Legal Service of WA), Natasha Moore
(Indigenous Guild Officer Curtin University), Rachel Siewert
(Australian Greens Senator), Annolies Truman (Socialist Alliance)
Paul Kaplan (West Australians for Racial Equality), Helen Bishop (WA
Deaths in Custody Watch Committee), MC David Collard
Adelaide, 17th November
Contact antarsa@internode.on.net
National Day of Action, Northern Territory Intervention: Parliament House, Adelaide
This Saturday, 17 November, a National Day of Action is being organised,with actions being arranged around the country.
In Adelaide, we are gathering at Parliament House steps, at 1 pm,on Saturday, 17 November.
Support Aboriginal peoples' rights.
Reject the suspension of the Racial Discrimination Act by the Federal Government in its Intervention in 70 Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.
Come along on Saturday, with your flags, banners, brass bands, drums.
Sydney, Sunday 18 November
Family gathering and rally
MAKE OUR VOTE COUNT!
Where: Redfern Community Centre
When: 10am, Sunday 18th November, 2007
Rally: along Cleveland Street to Victoria Park
Speakers: Shane Phillips & NT community representatives
WEAR RED AND BRING YOUR BANNERS, YOUR FLAGS, PLACARDSSAND MOST OF ALL,
YOUR MOB!!
On Saturday 24th a new Federal Government will be decided. This
meeting and rally, one week out from the election, is our chance to
ensure Aboriginal voices are heard loud and clear and the injustices of
the Government's invasion of Aboriginal communities in the NT are known
about.
Of all the criticisms of the 11 year Howard Government, their legacy in
Indigenous Affairs will surely be remembered as a low point in the
history of this country.
They were elected in 1996 on a wave of racism sparked by the former
Liberal candidate Pauline Hanson and have since been unrelenting in
their attacks on Indigenous rights and politics. We can see this in
their approval of the Hindmarsh Island Bridge, amendments to native
title after Wik, the Reconciliation convention, the mounting of legal
action defending past Government's removal of children, the
white-washing of Australia's history, abolition of ATSIC, axing of the
CDEP and now with the measures in the NT to name only a few.
In the NT the Government's so-called emergency intervention followed
the Anderson & Wild report on the Protection of Aboriginal Children
from Sexual Abuse in the NT. The Federal Government initiated an
'emergency response' and have since passed several laws giving them
wide ranging powers over Aboriginal people's lives, land, resources,
stores and enterprises. These include new powers to manage welfare
benefits of all Aboriginal people in the NT, changes to land rights (eg
axing of permit system to communities), assumption of 5 year lease over
Aboriginal land and greater controls by the Minister for Aboriginal
Affairs (eg Minister can determine who can live in the community) and
changes to bail and criminal law.
The Anderson & Wild report noted serious issues and the need for an
urgent community led response. No-where did it recommend taking
Aboriginal land, abolishing the CDEP or control of the lives of
Aboriginal people as if they're children. This intervention has been
criticised as compromising human rights, democracy, freedom,
self-determination and Indigenous rights. Others have said if these
powers can be exercised over Aboriginal communities in the NT it can
happen in NSW as well.
Come along to this family friendly gathering at the Redfern Community
centre where we will walk along Cleveland St to Victoria Park and join
up with other events are being held in the Park.
Meet 10am, Sunday 18th November, 2007.
Click for poster
Sydney, 18th November
NSW ANTaR's 10th Anniversay of the Sea of Hands
Sunday 18th November 11am-3pm, Victoria Park, Camperdown (Cnr Parramatta & City Roads)
Click for flyer
Newcastle, 18th November
Contact: Peta 0431013005
12pm Civic park, 12:30 march, 1pm Tram sheds
Troops out of the NT- Stop the Land Grabs.
Solidarity march and rally
Support indigenous sovereignty in the NT and Australia wide and show solidarity with activists in New Zealand.
Performance: Street Warriors, Last Kinection, Mick Didge, Arthur Ridgeway, Duwarra and Ewa, Paul Spencer, Geordie Malone, Cimatree, The Tremendous and more!
Speakers, info stalls and raffle
Free feed - Kangaroo BBQ and Food not Bombs
Presented by Kanaguba
Click for poster
Lismore, 18th November
Rock Against Racism To a Nuclear Free Future
Contact: Chris 0417 246869 or Issi 66 225198
ITALO Club N. Lismore
3 - 8pm
$10 $7 Con' Kids Free
No Nuclear ENERGY, No Mines, No Uranium EXPORTS,
No ARMS, No Nuclear WASTE,
No Uranium EXPLORATION
No Nuclear FAMILIES
Music Dance Presentations
Acknowledgment of Bundjalung Country
Bunna Laurie & the Whale Dreamers
Spooki
Monkey & the Fish
Ebony & the Uranium Ban
Dred Reggae (Rasta Daniel)
Plus Special Guests including: Benny Zables, The Axe Man
Theo Jongen Greens NSW Candidate for Page
& much more
An all age Event
Interested in Participating in Promotion, Production &/or Presentation of
this event Contact: Chris 0417 246869 or Issi 66 225198
Proudly Supported by:
Fruit Bat Productions
Friends of the Earth
Click for flyer
Melbourne, 18th November
Rally,
Federation Square
Rally at Federation Square for Victoria's ANTaR's 10th Anniversay of the Sea of Hands. Contact liz.conor@unimelb.edu.au
Melbourne, 18th November
1pm GPO building Crnr Bourke St and Elizabeth St, CBD
Empowerment not Intervention.
Invest in Indigenous Solutions
The federal governments NT intervention overrides the racial discrimination act and undermines self determination and land rights. It fails to address the central issues of poverty, lack of health care, basic services and infrastructure that the government has been ignoring for so long. The NT intervention legidlation does not make any reference to the issues of child safety and sexual abuse.
Indigenous disadvantage exists throughout Australia and sovereignty still hasn't been recognised. Neither major party are acting on this issue by providing the necessary recognition, compensation and support.
The Australian government failed to sign on to the UN declaration on Indigenous People's Rights because it disagreed with the phrase 'self determination'. Indigenous people's rights are good enough for the United Nations, so why not Australia?
Click for poster
Darwin, 18th November
National Day of Action for indigenous rights 10 am, meet at Saville Hotel and walk to Raintree Park
There will be a gathering at Raintree Park following this protest march.
Music, speakers, information. Intervention, UN convention, reconciliation, Aotearoa solidarity.
The federal government is pushing ahead with the NT intervention despite ongoing concerns.
The federal opposition is in principle supporting the intervention...
At this crucial election time support indigenous rights by attending the national day of action, join supporters all over Australia this weekend -in Alice Springs, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane... let both major parties know that all Australians want indigenous rights upheld
Key concerns about the federal governments intervention in the NT, as expressed by the combined aboriginal organisations of the NT:
- lack of time to consider the legislation and ongoing lack of consultation with affected aboriginal people
- the emergency response doesn't address child abuse
for example, partial removal of permits to access aboriginal land will not prevent child abuse
funding for welfare and bureaucrats, not for programs that address childrens needs
- the legislation is racially discriminatory
- compulsory acquisition of property rights and assets
- ineffective alcohol measures
- abolition of CDEP - transfer of CDEP participants to welfare
- an abuse of power and a wasted opportunity
If you are directly affected by the legislation or work with people who are, send your stories/experiences to: secretariat@nationalaboriginalalliance.org
Write to your MP, Aboriginal Affairs minister Mal Brough and PM John Howard, opposition Aboriginal Affairs minister Jenny Macklin and opposition pm Kevin Rudd and let them know what you think of the federal intervention.
Call the government's free hotline to voice your opinion or get information: 1800 333 995
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Alice Springs, 18th November
Contact: Graham Ring 0404 362 290 ringga@bigpond.com
Raise your voice for human rights-roll back the intervention.
10:30am Uniting Church Lawns, Todd Mall
Rosalie Kunoth-Monks will welcome people to country and speak of her concerns around the federal intervention. A range of other speakers will add their voices and call on the federal government to:
* Focus on protecting children using evidence-based, culturally appropriate programs.
* Restore the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA)
* Restore the integrity of the NT Land Rights Act and protect Native Title rights.
* Negotiate genuinely with Aboriginal communities and support existing community efforts.
* Develop a comprehensive plan to address underlying issues
The event will feature speakers, stories, poetry, music, displays and information.
It is supported by the National Aboriginal Alliance and the NT Council of Social Service.
The Alice Springs event is part of a national weekend of action which will see events held in Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, and Lismore.
Supported by NT Council of Social Services and the National Aboriginal Alliance
Brisbane, Throughout November
SACRED BUSINESS: ELECTIONS 2007
FAIRA invites the public to attend these important forums (see below) on the rights of the Aboriginal peoples and
Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, and to consider the human rights issues that are the most important
agenda for Australia's successful future.
15 November
Reconciliation, Promises and Lies
Southbank
22 November
Voting for Aboriginal Self Determination
Brisbane City Hall
"It's time to get it right"- rallies show national opposition to NT
intervention
This weekend, people in nine cities and towns across Australia will
attend public events protesting the federal government's intervention
into Northern Territory Aboriginal communities.
150 days have now passed since the 21 June announcement of the federal
intervention. Despite the federal government's claim that the
intervention is a response to the Anderson & Wild "Little Children are
Sacred" report, there have been no new charges laid in connection with
child sexual abuse. No new community-based services to ensure the
safety and protection of children have been established, and there has
been notable duplication of services - particularly in the area of
child health checks.
The only visible change in most communities has been the construction
of new housing for government business managers. Many people are
skeptical about allocation of promised funds, with 700 new public
service jobs having been created and $88 million being spent to
administer the welfare quarantine changes.
People across the country are standing together this weekend to say
"Its time to get it right". Protests are demanding the incoming
federal government listen to Aboriginal people, stop wasting public
money, improve services to families and children, build housing for
Aboriginal people not public servants, and stop moving people out of
paid work (CDEP) on to welfare (work for the dole). Protesters argue
the intervention is racist and are calling for removal of 'business
managers', an end to welfare quarantines and restoration of the Racial
Discrimination Act.
"The people of Darwin will gather this Saturday to show their support
for the Larrakia and all Indigenous peoples of the NT as they oppose
the racially discriminatory, coercive and controlling NT "Emergency
Intervention". We join with Australians nation-wide to call for full
recognition of Indigenous Rights and for the Federal Government to
immediately consult with Indigenous leaders regarding alternative
measures in their communities" said Alyssa Vass, spokesperson for the
Darwin Intervention Reform Coalition.
Barbara Shaw, a town camp resident in Alice Springs and executive
member of Tangentyere council, is traveling from the NT to address the
Sydney rally. "The little children are sacred report had nothing to do
with land, and the Commonwealth's legislation has nothing to do with
children", said Ms Shaw.
"John Howard has neglected us for the last 11 years, now we have no
rights to anything. With the intervention there's been changes to
every law; land rights law, the racial discrimination act, the social
security act. Minister Brough now thinks he's got the power to take
everything off us. I'm coming to Sydney to inform the rest of
Australia about the changes, to share stories of those on the ground,
on prescribed Aboriginal land."
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Sydney, Friday, 7 December
Teachers' Club, Ground Floor, NSW Teachers Federation, 23 - 33 Mary Street, Surry Hills
(within walking distance of Central Station).
The 2007 Defend Democracy Dinner, with guest speaker the Hon. Linda Burney, Minister for Fair Trading, Youth and Volunteering and Member for Canterbury in the NSW Government. In 2003 Linda was the first Aboriginal person to be elected to the NSW Parliament. This is hosted by Eureka Sydney. Click here for more information.
Melbourne, 10th December
World Human Rights Day Public Forum
10th Dec, 6.30pm for a 7pm start
Swanston Hall, Melbourne Town Hall, cnr. Swanston St & Collins St.
On the 10th of December 1992 Paul Keating made his Redfern Speech. As
the Prime Minister of Australia he stated that the first step towards
Indigenous Justice is an "act of recognition" by non-Indigenous
Australia. "Recognition that it was we who did the dispossessing. We
took the traditional lands and smashed the traditional way of life. We
brought the disasters. The alcohol. We committed the murders. We took
the children from their mothers. We practiced discrimination and
exclusion."
He predicted we would succeed in doing this within the decade.
The 10th of December 2007 marks 15 years on.
Two events of the past few months alone represent how wrong his
prediction was.
In September this year Australia became one of the 4 states (out of 147)
not to sign on to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples because the Government disagreed with the phrase
'self-determination'.
Right now the Federal Government is implementing an "Emergency
Intervention" into Indigenous Communities in the Northern Territory.
This Intervention overrides the Racial Discrimination Act; undermines
Indigenous self-determination and Land Rights; has not been developed in
consultation with Indigenous communities and fails to address the
central issues of poverty, lack of health care, basic services and
infrastructure that the government has been ignoring for so long.
We are calling on non-Indigenous people to get serious about these major
human rights issues. Come along on the 10th of December and learn more
about Indigenous struggles for self-determination locally, in the NT and
beyond. For Genocide to end, non-Indigenous people must take
responsibility for themselves and immediately take action to support
Indigenous struggles. The past fifteen years and two centuries prior
show that Prime Ministerial speeches and Government policies are not
going end it for us.
Speakers:
Barbara Shaw
Barbara is a town camp resident from Alice Springs and executive member
of the Tangentyere Council.
Joy Murphy
Joy Murphy Wandin is an Aboriginal Elder of the Wurundjeri people. Joy
has been involved with Aboriginal issues for 30 years and is Chairperson of the
Australian Indigenous Consultative Assembly. She has held executive positions
across the sectors of Government.
Robbie Thorpe
Robbie is a Gunnai-Kurnai/Tjap-Wharrung activist committed to fighting
for genocide to be stopped and for Australia to be taken before the
International Criminal Court for the war crimes that it has and continues to commit,
for Sovereignty to be acknowledged and for a Treaty to be made.
Muriel Bamblett
Muriel Bamblett is a Yorta Yorta woman who has been employed as the
Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency since
1999.
From 1997-99 Muriel was the Chairperson of VACCA. Muriel is active on
many boards concerning children, families and the Indigenous community.
Muriel is the current Chairperson of the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and
Islander Child Care, the peak agency representing Indigenous Child and Family
Services nationally.
Muriel has been the recipient of a number of awards: Robin Clark
Memorial Award for Inspirational Leadership in the Field of Child and Family Welfare
2003 and was awarded an AM (Membership in the General Division) in the Australia Day
Honours 2004 for her services to the community, particularly through
leadership in the provision of services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
children and families.
John Langmore
John Langmore is a Professorial Fellow in the Political Science
Department at the University of Melbourne. He was Director of the UN Division for
Social Policy and Development in New York for five years from 1997 and has
published extensively on political, economic, social, strategic and environmental
issues relating to Australia and the global context including the United
Nations.
Organised by the Alliance for Indigenous Self determination - an open,
Melbourne-based alliance of groups and individuals.
Endorsed by ANTaR - Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation.
For more information: 0429 136 935 / 0439 891 832
Click for more info
Melbourne, 20th December
On Thursday, December 20, about 20 Close the Gap supporters greeted Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Premiers as they went into their COAG meeting at Government House in Melbourne. Activists held up giant "Close the Gap" letters to remind the new Government of their campaign promises to end the 17-year life expectancy gap for Indigenous Australians.
For a long time the Close the Gap coalition has identified COAG as a pivotal target in the Close the Gap campaign and have sought a clear commitment from COAG to closing the 17 year-gap in life expectancy. Yesterday, in what may well be one of the first ever campaign events to target a COAG meeting, we sent a loud and clear message to the Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers as they arrived at Government House for the meeting. It looks like they heard that message. Here is an excerpt from the Communiqué that came out of yesterday's meeting:
Indigenous Australia
COAG agreed the 17 year gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians must be closed.
COAG today agreed to a partnership between all levels of government to work with Indigenous communities to achieve the target of closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage. COAG committed to:
- closing the life expectancy gap within a generation;
- halving the mortality gap for children under five within a decade; and
- halving the gap in reading, writing and numeracy within a decade.
COAG recognised the pathway to closing the gap is inextricably linked to economic development and improved education outcomes.
COAG also specifically addressed the importance of tackling the debilitating effect of substance and alcohol abuse on Indigenous Australians.
The Commonwealth agreed to double the $49.3 million in funding previously provided by COAG in 2006 for substance and alcohol rehabilitation and treatment services, particularly in remote areas.
The States and Territories, in turn, committed to complementary investments in services to support this initiative.
These will include, but are not limited to, strengthened policing of alcohol management plans and licensing laws and additional treatment and family support services.
COAG has also agreed that States and Territories will report transparently on the use of their Commonwealth Grants Commission funding which is on the basis of Indigenous need funding for services to Indigenous people.
Clearly, there is still a long way to go but the fact that they are using our language and have committed to closing the gap is a fantastic start.
Rachel Boehr
Campaigns Coordinator, Victoria & Tasmania
Canberra, ACT
12th February, 2008
Calling all Aboriginal people and supporters to converge on Canberra:
Stand up for Aboriginal rights on the first day of the new parliament.
Tuesday, February 12 2008
Meet Aboriginal Tent Embassy 11:30am
March to Parliament for 1pm rally
Turn back Howard and Brough's racist legacy!
- Reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act
- Demand immediate review of the NT intervention
- End welfare quarantines, compulsory land acquisition and 'mission manager' powers
- Implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Aboriginal People
- Aboriginal control of Aboriginal affairs
In the final months of government, John Howard introduced a package of discriminatory, unfair and punative measures against Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory. Aimed at controlling Aboriginal lives and land, the legislation was a stark violation of basic human rights and dignities.
Federal Labor is promising a new era in Aboriginal affairs. They are pledging to say sorry to the stolen generation and to sign the UN declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. They have promised to restore both the CDEP (Community Development and Employment Program) and the permit system, which will ameliorate some of the worst effects of the NT intervention.
Unfortunately there are aspects of ALP policy that is still disturbingly similar to the Liberals with the added proposal of extending some intervention measures into to Queensland.
Plainly discriminatory measures such as mandatory welfare quarantines, compulsory land acquisition and the presence of non-Aboriginal "business managers" with extraordinary powers are being suffered under right now. There has been no move to allow the operation of the Racial Discrimination Act. The cry for immediate review of the legislation coming from across the NT has been ignored.
The Labor Government must comply with accepted international human rights laws and standards of non discrimination, equality , natural justice and procedural fairness. Legislation being implemented in the NT breaches commitments Australia has made as a signatory to major human rights treaties and conventions; such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Human Rights Commission must immediately review the legislation to ensure compliance with these obligations.
The federal election revealed overwhelming opposition to the intervention among Aboriginal communities. When Labor MP's in affected areas emphasised political differences to the Coalition they consistently received over 80% of the vote; with 95% in the town of Wadeye.
Despite government claims that the intervention is a response to the Anderson & Wild "Little Children are Sacred" report, no new community-based services to ensure the safety and protection of children have been established, and there has been a notable duplication of services - particularly in the area of child health checks. There is an urgent need for delivery of essential services, infrastructure and programs genuinely targeted at improving the safety and well being of children and developed in consultation with communities. Huge amounts of public money have been wasted, with $88 million alone going towards bureaucrats to control Aboriginal welfare.
Moving Forward
A vibrant, mass convergence Canberra on the first day of parliament will be an important step in challenging the lingering legacy of Howard's racism. We can strongly push for an immediate end to what Aboriginal communities have themselves described as an invasion. We can send a strong signal to Kevin Rudd and his new government to put Aboriginal rights at the centre of their agenda; to massively increase the resources available to communities across Australia and to respect Aboriginal control of Aboriginal affairs.
Initiated by the Aboriginal Rights Coalition, Sydney
Contact:
Shane Phillips 0414077631
Greg Eatock 0432050240
Endorsements from Aboriginal activists include:
Olga Havnen (Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the NT) Barbara Shaw (Tangentyere council, Alice Springs) Lez Malezer (Chairman, Global Indigenous People's Caucus UN, Foundation Aboriginal Islander Rights Association) Jackie Katona (CEO of Lumbu Indigenous Community Foundation, Djok clan) Michael Mansell (Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre) Sam Watson (Brisbane) Michael Anderson (co-founder, Aboriginal Tent Embassy) Marbuk, Charlie Wilson (Barkendjh) Harry Nelson (President, Yuendumu Community Council NT) Mitch (Eastern Arrernte/Luritja activist from Alice Springs) Robbie Thorpe (Melbourne) Phil Falk (Senior Lecturer School of Law, Griffith Uni, Wiradjuri nation) Linda Murphy (Lecturer, School of Arts, Griffith Uni) Sandra Phillips (QUT) Nicole Watson (Jumbunna, Sydney) Heidi Norman (UTS) Larissa Behrendt Lowitja O'Donahue Victor Hardt (Oodgeroo, QUT) Shane Phillips (Redfern) Peta Ridgeway (Newcastle) Arthur Ridgeway (Newcastle) Greg Eatock (Coordinator Deaths in Custody Campaign, Sydney) Pat Eatock (Secretary, First Aboriginal Tent Embassy)
Supportive Organisations include:
Aboriginal Tent Embassy
Women for Wik
Indigenous Social Justice Association
Australians for Native Title and Reconcilliation (ANTaR SA) Aboriginal Rights Coalition (Sydney) Intervention Reform Coalition (Darwin) Intervention Rollback Working Group (Alice Springs) Alliance for Indigenous Self Determination (Melbourne) Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Canberra) Australian Peace Committee (SA)
How to get there!
From Sydney:
Buses will be leaving from the Block, opposite Redfern Station, on Tuesday 12 February. Get there at 7a.m. for 7.30am departure.
Ring Janene to book a seat on the bus – 0416 490 481 - $20 ($10 concession).
If you are interested in going down to Canberra on Monday 11 Feb, let us know that as well. Bus times for Monday are still being confirmed.
Initiated by the Aboriginal Rights Coalition, Sydney. Come to the meetings 6pm every Monday at Redfern Community Centre, Hugo St.
From other states contact:
Michaela (Melbourne) 0429136935
Donna Mills (Canberra) 0401563398
Peta Ridgeway (Newcastle) 0413351584
Barbara Shaw (NT) 0401291166
Sam Watson (Brisbane) 0411274079
Sue Gilbey (Adelaide) 0411411322
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