120318 – Responses to Senate Committee report on ‘Stronger Futures’ New NT Intervention laws

* Responses to Senate Committee report on ‘Stronger Futures’
* Greg Barns: “Politicians ruling by stealth as wilful
ignorance is allowed to flourish”
* Paddy Gibson: “Chorus of opposition greets Macklin’s
extended Intervention”
* CLC: “New waste dump legislation fundamentally flawed”
* UN Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination – 21 Mar 12
* National Close the Gap Day – 22 Mar 12
* Message Sticks Festival 2012 – Sydney
* ‘Our Generation’ Film screenings – Melbourne, Sydney & NSW
* More ‘Stronger Futures’ Legislation related articles
* Background to ‘Stronger Futures’ new NT Intervention laws
* Other Northern Territory (NT) Intervention articles
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Other articles
* Upcoming Aboriginal rights events around Australia

* RESPONSES TO SENATE COMMITTEE REPORT ON ‘STRONGER FUTURES’:

See:

WGAR News: Senate Inquiry into Stronger Futures
releases it’s report (15 Mar 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/15/wgar-news-greens-senator-rachel-siewert-provides-an-overview-ending-the-nt-intervention

‘Australian Greens Dissenting Report’
included as part of the
Senate Inquiry into Stronger Futures Report (14 Mar 12)
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committees?url=clac_ctte/strong_future_nt_11/report/index.htm

– Media Releases

National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples:
Response to Senate Committee Report on New NT Laws
http://nationalcongress.com.au/response-to-senate-committee-report-on-new-nt-laws/
15 Mar 12: “The National Congress of Australia’s First
Peoples says much of the detailed content of many
submissions to the NT laws inquiry has been ignored and
disrespected in the Committee’s report.
The Congress Co-Chairs say the Committee’s report contains
minor and superficial recommendations but that many
solutions offered by communities in the areas of
governance, alcohol management and education have been
ignored.
“A key message for Congress in attending the hearings in
the NT was the erosion of trust and the lack of
understanding of what Government is doing and why, ” said
Congress Co-Chair, Jody Broun.
“That the Committee recommends the laws be reviewed within
five years of commencement – instead of ten – is in
recognition of this fact,” she said.
“However, Congress called for these bills to be tested for
Human Rights compliance accordance with the new
Parliamentary Scrutiny (Human Rights) Act and there is no
mention of that in this report,” said Co-Chair, Les Malezer.
“As a result the Human Rights criticisms of these laws
have not been adequately addressed. … “”

ANTaR – Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation:
Senate Committee Approves Stronger Futures Despite Growing
Opposition
http://www.antar.org.au/senate_committee_approves_stronger_futures_despite_growing_opposition_0
“The Senate Committee charged with reviewing the Stronger
Futures Bills has supported the passage of the
controversial legislation despite widespread community
concern about its coercive measures.
“ANTaR is very concerned that community support for these
far-reaching and long-term measures has not been obtained.
In the absence of consent, these bills must be withdrawn,”
said Jacqueline Phillips, ANTaR National Director.
“Despite strong public opposition, the Senate Community
Affairs Legislation Committee last night delivered a
majority report which supported passage of the Stronger
Futures bills with only minor amendments.” …
“The minor changes proposed by the Committee will not
correct the serious flaws in the consultation process.””

See: ANTaR’s submission to the Inquiry: http://bit.ly/ANTaRStrongerFuturesSubmission

Uniting Justice Australia:
Church Disappointed by Senate Report into
Flawed Stronger Futures Legislation
http://www.unitingjustice.org.au/justice-for-indigenous-australians/news/item/838-church-disappointed-by-senate-report-into-flawed-stronger-futures-legislation
15 Mar 12: “The Uniting Church in Australia today expressed
its disappointment in the Senate Report into the Stronger
Futures Legislation.
General Secretary of the Northern Synod, Mr Peter Jones,
who appeared at the Darwin hearings for the Senate Inquiry,
expressed his concern over the harsh and disempowering
legislation that the Senate Report supports.
“Since day one of the Intervention, we have seen the dismal
failure of top-down approaches to addressing the real
problems of Indigenous disadvantage. The pain and shame in
Northern Territory Aboriginal communities has been
exacerbated by the Government’s unwillingness to enter into
true partnership with our Indigenous brothers and sisters,”
said Mr Jones.”

See: Uniting Justice submission to the Inquiry: http://www.unitingjustice.org.au/justice-for-indigenous-australians/submissions/item/download/352_1e6fd64ae38301b94e0305e534bc797a

Australian Council of Social Service:
Don’t extend a flawed and uproven NT Intervention model
http://www.acoss.org.au/media/release/dont_extend_a_flawed_and_uproven_nt_intervention_model
15 Mar 12: “The Australian Council of Social Service has
today called on the Commonwealth Government not to extend
the flawed and unproven Northern Territory Intervention
model, and instead to engage with local communities to put
in place lasting solutions.
“There’s no doubt that opposition is mounting for the
Federal Government, both to the extension of compulsory
income management and social security payment suspensions
where children don’t attend school,” said Dr Cassandra
Goldie, ACOSS CEO.
“The overwhelming majority of submissions to the Senate
Community Affairs Committee Inquiry, and the reports from
all parties represented on the Committee recommended that
the legislation not be passed in its present form.
“Peak Aboriginal organisations and ACOSS expressed concern
about the draft Stronger Futures law to give power to the
Minister to extend compulsory income management referrals
from (un-named) state and territory authorities … ”

Greens Rachel Siewert:
End Bankstown trial of income management and consult with locals
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/end-bankstown-trial-income-management-and-consult-locals-greens
15 Mar 12: “The Australian Greens have vowed to oppose the
Bankstown trial of income management following last night’s
release of the Senate Inquiry into the Stronger Futures
legislation report and evidence given to the committee
questioning whether the government consulted with locals
before announcing the Bankstown trial.
Bankstown is one of five locations nationally where the
government is set to trial compulsory income management
from 1 July 2012.
Greens Senator and spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Issues Rachel Siewert said: “”The
Australian Greens strongly oppose the continuation of
compulsory income management in the NT and its expansion to
five trial sites, including Bankstown.
“The Senate Inquiry into the Stronger Futures bills
received a number of submissions pointing to a lack of
evidence that income management leads to better outcomes
or improved ability to budget. … ”

– Analysis / Opinion

Stronger Futures Legislation Is Disempowering, Damaging And
Doomed To Fail
Indigenous Peoples: http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14271:northern-territory-stronger-futures-legislation-is-disempowering-damaging-and-doomed-to-fail&catid=24:australia-indigenous-peoples&Itemid=57
14 Mar 12: “Proposed legislation to extend the Federal
Government’s Northern Territory Intervention measures will
undermine democracy, further damage the government’s
relationship with Aboriginal peoples and be ineffective in
addressing Aboriginal disadvantage, says the Human Rights
Law Centre. “The Stronger Futures measures are highly
likely to be ineffective in achieving the Federal
Government’s objective of Closing the Gap and improving
the lives of Aboriginal peoples,” said Ben Schokman of the
Human Rights Law Centre.”

– Video

YouTube: ALP takes softer approach to NT Intervention

14 Mar 12: “The Federal Government has revealed its latest
incarnation of the federal intervention into remote
Aboriginal communities in the Territory.”

– News

National Indigenous Times:
Leaders prepare for the worst on eve of Senate report
http://www.nit.com.au/your-say.html
17 Mar 12: “Rosalie Kunoth-Monks may renounce her Order of
Australia, handing back the medals to the Federal
Government in protest, Maurie Japarta Ryan has called on
Aboriginal nations to secede from the Commonwealth and a
petition opposed to the legislation has attracted more than
5000 signatures as the calls for the Australian Senate to
reject the legislation extending the Northern Territory
Intervention continued on the eve of a Senate inquiry
report into the legislation being released. The Senate
inquiry report was due to be tabled in the Senate on
Tuesday night.”

National Indigenous Radio Service:
Church group opposes Stronger Futures
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7040-church-group-opposes-stronger-futures
16 Mar 12: “The Uniting Church in Australia today expressed
its disappointment in the Senate report into the Stronger
Futures Legislation. Peter Jones, General Secretary of the
Northern Synod, expressed his concern over the harsh and
disempowering legislation that the Senate report supports.
Mr. Jones says the pain and shame in Northern Territory
Aboriginal communities has been exacerbated by the
Government’s unwillingness to enter into true partnership
with Indigenous people.”

National Indigenous Radio Service:
Federal Government defends Stronger Futures legislations
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7043-federal-government-defends-stronger-futures-legislations
16 Mar 12: “The Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny
Macklin says claims that the Government failed to consult
widely enough on its Stronger Futures legislation are
unjustified. The laws propose extending many of the
measures of the Northern Territory Intervention into
Indigenous communities for the next 10 years. Many
community leaders say the consultation period was too short
and many people couldn’t take part because of language
barriers.”

ABC: Senate inquiry call for Stronger Futures changes
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-15/strong-futures-law-senate-inquiry-report/3892430?section=nt
15 Mar 12: “A Senate inquiry into the new version of the
Northern Territory Intervention has recommended the
Government improve public reporting and engagement with
Aboriginal people. The inquiry was considering the
Government’s proposed Stronger Futures laws, which alter
some aspects of the Northern Territory Emergency Response.
The inquiry made 11 recommendations, which include
releasing more information about a trial linking school
attendance with welfare payments, and improving the way
the Government consults Aboriginal people.”

9 News: NT intervention report findings slammed
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8435730/nt-intervention-report-findings-slammed
15 Mar 12: “Indigenous and welfare groups have attacked the
findings of a Senate inquiry into a 10-year extension of
the Northern Territory intervention. Labor legislation
before the upper house continues the Howard government’s
initial intervention in 2007. The draft laws include
alcohol restrictions and a controversial program that cuts
the welfare payments of parents whose kids skip school.
National Congress of Australia’s First People spokeswoman
Jody Broun said many submissions to the inquiry had been
ignored and disrespected in the inquiry’s report.”

Koori Mail: Congress slams Senate report as superficial
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
15 Mar 12: “THE National Congress of Australia’s First
Peoples has accused a Senate committee of ignoring and
disrespecting much of the detailed content contained in
submissions to the recent inquiry into the proposed
Stronger Futures legislation for the Northern Territory.
Co-chairs Jody Broun and Les Malezer said it appeared that
submissions had been ‘cherry-picked’ to build a case for
the continuation of the intervention, and that there was no
mention of Congress calls for the bills to be tested for
Human Rights compliance.”

Koori Mail: AMSANT calls for intervention resources pledge
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
15 Mar 12: “THE Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance
Northern Territory has called on Government and Opposition
parties to give an assurance that they would maintain, for
the next decade, the extra resources required to improve
health care, education, policing, job creation and housing
as a result of continuation of the Northern Territory
intervention. AMSANT chief executive John Paterson said the
Senate Community Affairs Committee had ‘failed to get to
the guts of what is needed out of Stronger Futures – and
that is how it is going to be resourced’.”

Koori Mail: Greens dissent on Senate intervention report
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
15 Mar 12: “APART from the Australian Greens, all Senators
who took part in an inquiry into the Federal Government’s
proposed Stronger Futures legislation, which would extend
the Northern Territory intervention, have backed the bills
albeit with recommendations to improve future
consultations, and to re-evalute the measures in five
years, instead of seven. The Senate Community Affairs
Committee, made up of Government and Coalition Senators,
tabled its report on Wednesday evening, with only Greens
Senator Rachel Siewert writing a dissenting report calling
for the scrapping of the bills entirely.”

See: ‘Australian Greens Dissenting Report’
included as part of the
Senate Inquiry into Stronger Futures Report (14 Mar 12)
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committees?url=clac_ctte/strong_future_nt_11/report/index.htm

9 News: 10 year NT intervention necessary: Macklin
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8435593/10-year-nt-intervention-necessary-macklin
15 Mar 12: “Problems in Aboriginal communities are so
entrenched a 10-year extension of the Northern Territory
intervention is needed, the federal government says.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin has dismissed
suggestions that five years of measures have failed already.
“I think it demonstrates just how entrenched the problems
are,” she told ABC Radio on Thursday. “(Aboriginal people)
don’t want us chopping and changing, they want some
stability, they want to know the laws, the protections and
the supports that we will put in place.””

* GREG BARNS:
“POLITICIANS RULING BY STEALTH
AS WILFUL IGNORANCE IS ALLOWED TO FLOURISH”:

– Analysis / Opinion

SMH: Politicians ruling by stealth as wilful ignorance is
allowed to flourish
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/politicians-ruling-by-stealth-as-wilful-ignorance-is-allowed-to-flourish-20120315-1v89m.html
16 Mar 12: “On Monday, February 27, the day of the Rudd
leadership challenge, the House of Representatives briefly
debated and passed laws to continue many of the measures of
the Northern Territory intervention, despite the fact that
a Senate report on the legislation was not released until
this week. But what is the point of holding a consultation
if the results from that report are not used to inform
parliamentarians before they vote? What is more, the
legislation was only voted on by a sparse number of MPs
occupying the lower house at the time.” Greg Barns,
National president of the Australian Lawyers Alliance

* PADDY GIBSON:
“CHORUS OF OPPOSITION GREETS MACKLIN’S EXTENDED INTERVENTION”:

– News

Solidarity:
Chorus of opposition greets Macklin’s extended Intervention

Chorus of opposition greets Macklin’s extended Intervention

March 2012: “On Monday February 27, in the afternoon
following Labor’s leadership spill, Stronger Futures in the
Northern Territory legislation passed through the House of
Representatives with Labor and Liberal support. These laws
will extend the disastrous Northern Territory Intervention
for a further ten years and give the government increased
powers to expand income management around the country. When
Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin introduced the
bill, she was speaking to an empty chamber. None of the
politicians even bothered to turn up for a debate.”
Paddy Gibson

* CLC: “NEW WASTE DUMP LEGISLATION FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED”:

See:

WGAR News: Nuclear waste dump laws pass the Senate (14 Mar 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/14/wgar-news-28-leading-australians-call-on-government-to-abandon-the-stronger-futures-legis

WGAR News: Maurice Blackburn lawyers:
“New Federal laws on nuclear waste have no impact on
Muckaty legal challenge” (15 Mar 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/15/wgar-news-greens-senator-rachel-siewert-provides-an-overview-ending-the-nt-intervention

– Media Release

Central Land Council (CLC):
New waste dump legislation fundamentally flawed
http://www.clc.org.au/media-releases/article/new-waste-dump-legislation-fundamentally-flawed/
14 Mar 12: “The Central Land Council (CLC) today expressed
profound disappointment that the Senate yesterday passed
the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010.
The CLC has repeatedly raised serious concerns about this
legislation which allows the Commonwealth Government to
continue to override many important considerations in the
selection of a site for a radioactive waste facility, and
has condemned the legislation as fundamentally flawed.
“This legislation retains many of the provisions that are
in the old Act (Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management
Act 2005),” CLC Director, David Ross said. “It seeks to
find a politically expedient solution, shows contempt for
state and Territory laws, and a disregard for decision
making processes enshrined in the Land Rights Act.” … ”

See:

YouTube: Muckaty Voices-Australia’s nuclear waste dump story

Beyond Nuclear Initiative:
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.com/

Australian Conservation Foundation: Muckaty radioactive dump:
http://www.acfonline.org.au/be-informed/northern-australia-nuclear/muckaty-radioactive-dump

Nuclear Territory News: Waste Dump News
http://ntne.ws/articles/article.php?section=waste

Proposed Radioactive Waste Dump at Muckaty, NT
Briefing Paper – February 2011
Jim Green B.Med.Sci.(Hons.), PhD
National nuclear campaigner – Friends of the Earth, Australia
Friends of the Earth: http://www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear/issues/oz/nontdump/Dump%20briefing%20Feb%202011.pdf

Vimeo: Nuclear Medicine & the need for a Waste Dump?

* UN DAY FOR ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
– WED 21 MARCH 2012:

– Upcoming events

Event: Wed 21 March 2012: various locations internationally
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Event details: http://www.un.org/en/events/racialdiscriminationday/
Let’s Fight Racism!: http://www.un.org/en/letsfightracism/

Event: Wed 21 March 2012: Sydney, NSW
Protest second intervention and deaths in custody on
UN day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Speakers include:
* Nicole Watson
* Ray Jackson
* Patricia Morton-Thomas
Event details: http://stoptheintervention.org/#21March
Poster: http://stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/Past%20Events/No_racism_protest_210312.pdf

* NATIONAL CLOSE THE GAP DAY
– THU 22 MARCH 2012:

– Upcoming events

Event: Thu 22 March 2012: various locations across Australia
National Close the Gap Day
“National Close the Gap Day (NCTGD) is a way
for all Australians to join together and remind our
political leaders of their commitments to close
the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and
non-Indigenous Australians within a generation.
Our focus for 2012 is on the need for genuine,
meaningful partnership with Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander health peoples at all
stages of health planning and delivery.”
Event details: http://www.oxfam.org.au/act/events/national-close-the-gap-day/
Attend a Close the Gap event
(various dates and locations throughout March 2012): http://webfw.oxfam.org.au/act/events/close-the-gap-day/attend
NIRS news: http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/6996-smaller-communities-want-access-to-health-services-naccho

* MESSAGE STICKS FESTIVAL 2012 – SYDNEY

– Upcoming Aboriginal Rights events

Event: Thu 29 March 2012: Sydney, NSW
Our Generation Film Screening
Part of Message Sticks Festival 2012
Discussion with Damien Curtis, Jeff McMullen,
Alec Doomadgee, Rosealee Pearson and John Pilger
Event details: http://ideas.sydneyoperahouse.com/upcoming-events/
Event details: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/Message_sticks/highlights.aspx
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/
Event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/50368
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: Fri 30 March 2012: Sydney, NSW
Tent Embassy & Identity
Part of Message Sticks Festival 2012
Film: Ningla A-Na
Discussion with Gary Foley and Larissa Behrendt
Event details: http://ideas.sydneyoperahouse.com/upcoming-events/
Event details: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/Message_sticks/highlights.aspx
Event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/50368

Event: Sat 31 March 2012: Sydney, NSW
What’s the Fuss in the Kimberley?
Part of Message Sticks Festival 2012
Film: Old Country New Country
Q&A with George Negus Stephen Pigram,
Mitch Torres and Albert Wiggan
Event details: http://ideas.sydneyoperahouse.com/upcoming-events/
Event details: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/Message_sticks/highlights.aspx

* ‘OUR GENERATION’ FILM SCREENINGS – MELBOURNE, SYDNEY & NSW:

– Upcoming events

Event: Wed 21 March 2012: Broadmeadows, Vic
Our Generation – Free Film Screening
“If you have an interest in Amnesty International
and Indigenous issues, come along to our
free film screening and find out more about
what we are doing to defend the rights of
Indigenous Peoples.”
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/vic/event/28046/
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: 22 March 2012: Waratah, NSW
Our Generation Film Screening
Hosted by the Ethnic Communities Council
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/screenings
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: Thu 29 March 2012: Sydney, NSW
Our Generation Film Screening
Part of Message Sticks Festival 2012
Discussion with Damien Curtis, Jeff McMullen,
Alec Doomadgee, Rosealee Pearson and John Pilger
Event details: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/Message_sticks/highlights.aspx
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/screenings
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: 3 April 2012: Wollongong, NSW
Our Generation Film Screening
Hosted by University of Wollongong Enviro Collective
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/screenings
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: Wed 18 April 2012: Parramatta, Sydney, NSW
Free Public Screening of Our Generation
Introduction and Q&A by Jeff McMullen AM
Hosted by Reconciliation for Western Sydney
Event details: http://stoptheintervention.org/#OurGen
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/screenings
Poster: http://stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/Facts-Info-Our-Generation/Our-Gen-Parramatta-18-4-12r.pdf
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: Sun 6 May 2012: Sydney, NSW
Our Generation Film Screening
Followed by Q&A with:
Dr Jeff McMullen
and Dr Thalia Anthony
Part of Sydney Greek Festival 2012
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/screenings
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

– ‘Our Generation’ Film Reviews

Elimatta:
Aboriginal Support Group – Manly Warringah Pittwater:
Our Generation – Showing in London – page 8

Click to access ElimattaWinter2011.pdf

Winter 2011: “The Intervention is yet another example of
the appalling treatment the Aboriginal People of Australia
have been subjected to in such a short period of time
compared to thousands of years of survival. Sinem Saban and
Rev. Dr Gondarra supported by the Yolngu people and
cinematographer, Damien Curtis, have created a sensitive
and realistic view of the plight of those who wish to live
a more traditional life in their homelands and of those who
appear to be dispossessed.” Christine Waterer

Elimatta:
Aboriginal Support Group – Manly Warringah Pittwater:
ASG Information Night: Our Generation – page 6

Click to access ElimattaSummer2010.pdf

Summer 2010: “Local resident and journalist, Jeff McMullen
introduced “Our Generation”, the film by Sinem Saban and
Damien Curtis which we were there to see. The film explored
in depth the Federal Government Intervention into
Aboriginal Communities in the Northern Territory. Jeff had
told us that the film’s producers were not having any
success in having the film shown on government or
commercial media outlets and they were having to screen it
in local community halls to show the community at large
just what was involved in the Intervention. It is basically
a war on Aboriginal culture. The dispossession of the
Aboriginal people is simply continuing in a new guise.”
Carol Gerrard

See:

Our Generation: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/

Aboriginal Support Group – Manly Warringah Pittwater: http://www.asgmwp.net/index.htm

* MORE ‘STRONGER FUTURES’ LEGISLATION RELATED ARTICLES:

– Media Releases

Rachel Siewert:
Greens speak out against ‘offensive and untrue’ claims
about Stronger Futures
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/greens-speak-out-against-%E2%80%98offensive-and-untrue%E2%80%99-claims-about-stronger-futures
16 Mar 12: “The Australian Greens have condemned attempts
to mislead organisations into supporting the Stronger
Futures legislation, which extends and expands the NT
Intervention.
“A campaign appears to have started, presumably with the
backing of the Government, to imply that by not supporting
Stronger Futures, the Greens are opposing the ongoing
funding of essential services in the NT- including services
for primary health,” Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said
today.
“Regardless of where it originated, this campaign is
offensive and it is untrue.
“Organisations appear to have been told this and are
clearly being misled.
“There is no reason that funding for community programs and
resources, including those for primary health, cannot
continue in the absence of the Stronger Futures legislation
or if Stronger Futures has a shorter sunset clause of five
years. … ”

– News

National Indigenous Times:
Damning report rejects Macklin’s NT consultation
http://www.nit.com.au/news/741-damning-report-rejects-macklins-nt-consultation.html
17 Mar 12: “A report released last week by former Prime
Minister, Malcolm Fraser has provided damning evidence the
Federal Government’s Indigenous Affairs Minister, Jenny
Macklin did not receive community support for a 10 year
extension to the Northern Territory Intervention during her
department’s consultation meetings with communities. The
report, titled Listening but not Hearing, was prepared by
former Chief… ”

* BACKGROUND TO ‘STRONGER FUTURES’ NEW NT INTERVENTION LAWS:

Human Rights Petition:
Australian Government: Stop Stronger Futures
and support Aboriginal self-determination in the NT
https://www.change.org/petitions/australian-government-stop-stronger-futures-and-support-aboriginal-self-determination-in-the-nt

Stand for Freedom:
There can be no reconciliation without justice:
http://standforfreedom.org.au/

Stop the Intervention:
Stronger Futures: New compilation weblink -Petition -NITV Forum

Click to access Stronger-Futures-update-11-3-12.pdf

Stop the Intervention: Stronger Futures Legislation
http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/stronger-futures-legislation

Stop the Intervention: Stronger Futures Media Coverage
http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/stronger-futures-legislation/#Media-SF

WGAR News: Greens Senator Rachel Siewert provides an overview:
“Ending the NT Intervention” (15 Mar 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/15/wgar-news-greens-senator-rachel-siewert-provides-an-overview-ending-the-nt-intervention

WGAR News: Senate Inquiry into Stronger Futures
releases it’s report (15 Mar 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/15/wgar-news-greens-senator-rachel-siewert-provides-an-overview-ending-the-nt-intervention

WGAR News: 28 Leading Australians call on Government
to abandon the Stronger Futures legislation (14 Mar 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/14/wgar-news-28-leading-australians-call-on-government-to-abandon-the-stronger-futures-legis

WGAR News: “Hear the Voice of the People!”:
Video of Senate Hearing at Maningrida 22 February 2012 (13 Mar 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/13/wgar-news-hear-the-voice-of-the-people-video-of-senate-hearing-at-maningrida-22-february-

WGAR News: New report into ‘Stronger Futures’ consultations
by Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning, UTS (9 Mar 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/09/wgar-news-new-report-into-stronger-futures-consultations-by-jumbunna-indigenous-house-of-
[New university report entitled ‘Listening but not Hearing’]

WGAR News: Former PM Malcolm Fraser launches
new report into consultations (9 Mar 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/09/wgar-news-new-report-into-stronger-futures-consultations-by-jumbunna-indigenous-house-of-

WGAR News: Our Generation and ANTaR have launched
a new video and campaign (8 Mar 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/08/wgar-news-our-generation-and-antar-have-launched-a-new-video-and-campaign

WGAR News: NITV Current Affairs present the Stronger Futures
Forum shot on location in Maningrida (3 Mar 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/03/wgar-news-nitv-current-affairs-present-the-stronger-futures-forum-shot-on-location-in-man

WGAR News: Press Conference on Stronger Futures legislation
by Hon. Alastair Nicholson AO RFD QC (1 Mar 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/01/wgar-news-press-conference-on-stronger-futures-legislation-by-hon-alastair-nicholson-ao-r

WGAR News: “NT Aboriginal leaders reject Stronger Futures”
Tracker (23 Feb 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/02/23/wgar-news-nyoongar-tent-embassy-marches-to-government-house-in-protest

WGAR News: New Website for Stronger Futures
info and submissions (21 Feb 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/02/21/wgar-news-news-of-the-nyoongar-tent-embassy-on-heirisson-island-in-perth

WGAR News: Book report launched:
“NT Consultations Report 2011: By Quotations” (19 Feb 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/02/19/wgar-news-book-report-launched-nt-consultations-report-2011-by-quotations
[Includes link to transcripts of consultations and book of quotations: http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/ ]

WGAR News: More on the Stronger Futures in the
Northern Territory Bill (9 Feb 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/02/09/wgar-news-tent-embassy-protest-interviews-with-michael-anderson-jeff-mcmullen-chris-graha

WGAR News: Submissions received on Stronger Futures in the
Northern Territory Bill (8 Feb 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/02/08/wgar-news-four-actions-to-help-stop-the-proposed-nt-nuclear-dump-beyond-nuclear-initiativ

Main Government page for Stronger Futures in the
Northern Territory Bill 2011 and two related bills:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committees?url=clac_ctte/strong_future_nt_11/index.htm

Direct Government link to view all uploaded submissions
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committees?url=clac_ctte/strong_future_nt_11/submissions.htm

Direct Government link to view all uploaded hearing info
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committees?url=clac_ctte/strong_future_nt_11/hearings/index.htm

* OTHER NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION ARTICLES:

– Audio

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News – 16.3.12
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-16-3-12
16 Mar 12: “According to the Northern Territory Shadow
Minister for Indigenous Policy, Adam Giles Aboriginal
people who were meant to receive accredited training under
the Gillard Labour Governments SIHIP Housing Program were
only given menial tasks such as collecting rubbish and
cleaning up.”

– News

Canberra Times: Jail fears rise over drink law change
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/jail-fears-rise-over-drink-law-change-20120315-1v89g.html
16 Mar 12: “THE rate of indigenous imprisonment in the
Northern Territory jumped 10 per cent last year, according
to data released yesterday. Australian Bureau of Statistics
figures were released as Federal Parliament considers
introducing harsher penalties for possessing alcohol in dry
indigenous communities in the territory. The proposals have
sparked concerns they could exacerbate the already alarming
rates of Aborigines in jail.”

Crikey: A (big, blue) sign of the times for NT Intervention
http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/03/15/a-big-blue-sign-of-the-times-for-nt-intervention/
15 Mar 12: “On Tuesday night the Darwin City Council — in
its last meeting before the local government elections
later this month — considered a letter from Dave Chalmers,
state manager of the federal Department of Families,
Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs’ NT
state office, with the seemingly innocuous subject of
“highway and community signs”.”

ABC Indigenous: Worth of Indigenous housing jobs questioned
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-15/sihip-indigenous-jobs-questioned/3892204/?site=indigenous&topic=latest
15 Mar 12: “A Northern Territory politician is calling for
an investigation of Indigenous employment in a $1.7 billion
dollar housing project. The Federally-funded Strategic
Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Project (SIHIP) was
partially designed to provide trade training and employment
for Aboriginal people. Territory Opposition spokesman for
Indigenous policy Adam Giles says staff in Alice Springs
were told they would learn a trade but were used to pick up
rubbish and clean up after contractors.”

* BACKGROUND TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION:

Creative Spirits:
Northern Territory Emergence Response (NTER)
– “The Intervention”:
http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/politics/northern-territory-intervention.html

The Greens: Rachel Siewert: Ending the NT Intervention:
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/ntintervention
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/portfolios/aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-issues

Stand for Freedom:
There can be no reconciliation without justice:
http://standforfreedom.org.au/

Crikey – NT Intervention:
http://www.crikey.com.au/topic/nt-intervention/

STICS (Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney):
http://stoptheintervention.org/

‘concerned Australians’:
Without Justice there can be no Reconciliation:
http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/

Tracker – NT Intervention:
http://tracker.org.au/tag/nt-intervention/

IRAG (Intervention Rollback Action Group):
Mparntwe – Alice Springs:
http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/

Treaty Republic – NT Intervention:
http://treatyrepublic.net/search/node/NT%20Intervention

CAAMA (Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association)
– NT Intervention:

Home

Our Generation:
http://ourgeneration.org.au/

New Matilda – northern territory intervention:
http://newmatilda.com/tag/northern-territory-intervention

Darwin Aboriginal Rights Coalition:
http://darwinaboriginalrights.wordpress.com/

Equality Rights Alliance:
Women’s Experience of Income Management in the Northern Territory:
http://www.equalityrightsalliance.org.au/projects/womens-experience-income-management-northern-territory

ANTaR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation)
– NT intervention:
http://www.antar.org.au/issues_and_campaigns/nt_intervention

MAIC (Melbourne Anti-Intervention Collective):
http://maicollective.blogspot.com/

The Conversation – After the Intervention:
http://theconversation.edu.au/pages/after-the-intervention

Australian Human Rights Commission:
Northern Territory ‘Emergency Response’ intervention:
http://www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice/intervention/index.html

Jobs with Justice:
http://jobswithjustice.wordpress.com/

Amnesty International Australia:
Looking back at the Northern Territory Intervention:
http://www.amnesty.org.au/indigenous-rights/comments/24460/

Students For Indigenous Rights – UQ:
The Northern Territory Intervention:

Click to access stir-uq-intervention-intro-factsheet-new1.pdf

Defending Indigenous Rights:
http://defendingindigenousrights.wordpress.com/

Intervention walk-off’s Blog:
http://interventionwalkoff.wordpress.com/

FAIRA; Human Rights Law Resource Centre; NACLC:
Australia’s compliance with CERD – Fact Sheet 2:
Northern Territory Intervention:

Click to access Fact-Sheet-2-NT-Intervention.pdf

Green Left: Northern Territory intervention: myths and facts:
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/39732

Adelaide Stop the Intervention:
http://www.stoptheintervention.com.au/

Central Land Council:
The Australian Government Intervention 2007:
http://www.clc.org.au/Media/issues/intervention/intervention_intro.html

WGAR (Working Group for Aboriginal Rights):
https://wgar.wordpress.com/

* OTHER ARTICLES:

– Slide Show

Green Left: Protest says close the gap, not the school
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/50376
16 Mar 12: “Photos by Ali Bakhtiavandi. Activists in
Melbourne rallied on March 16 to save Ballerrt Mooroop
College, Melbourne’s only Aboriginal specialist school. In
the past fortnight, the education department expelled all
the students, demolished some school buildings and is now
claiming the school is “unviable”. …
Further actions are planned this week.
For campaign updates, please visit http://ballerrtmooroop.org ”

– Audio

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
Jody Shares the National Congress’ vision for 2012
http://caama.com.au/jody-shares-the-national-congress%E2%80%99-vision-for-2012
15 Mar 12: “Jody Broun, the Co-Chair of the National
Congress of Australia’s First Peoples speaks to Nerida
Currey on Strong Voices… She shares the Congress’ vision
and goals for 2012, what’s coming up for them this year…
and what she thinks the biggest issues are for Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people to focus on from now.”

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News – 15.3.12
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-15-3-12
15 Mar 12: “A court case decision which could impact on
the location of australia’s first nuclear waste dump at
Muckatty near TennantCreek in the Northern Terrritory has
not been made……but the Government has still protected
Muckatty from being challenged as the nominated site
according to the lawyer acting on behalf of local
traditional owners opposed to the site being located on
their land.”

– Analysis / Opinion

National Indigenous Times:
It’s a vicious circle: Indigenous youths and the justice system
http://www.nit.com.au/opinion/719-its-a-vicious-circle-indigenous-youths-and-the-justice-system.html
17 Mar 12: “Emma Purdy analyses some of the reasons behind
the ongoing over-incarceration of Indigenous youths and
their scandalous consequences. Peter Schultz sat alone in
the paddy-wagon’s cage as it drove even farther away from
his hometown, wishing he was back with his parents. It was
dark outside in outback Western Australia and he didn’t
know where he was. He was frightened. Peter was 12.”

National Indigenous Times:
Woomera Sovereignty Movement of Queensland
http://www.nit.com.au/opinion/680-woomera-sovereignty-movement-of-queensland.html
17 Mar 12: “As I drove the 2 hour long trek from my home
base of Toowoomba to Brisbane on a wet, miserable day I
wondered if many locals would brave the inclement weather
to attend a public forum on the growing sovereignty
movement. Sovereignty is a misunderstood word that can be
interpreted as confronting and unpatriotic or a wholly
inclusive and apt word for our mob’s uncontested rights… ”

– News

National Indigenous Times:
After years of hard work,
a bewildered Alice Moncrieff uncertain of next steps
http://www.nit.com.au/news/743-after-years-of-hard-work-a-bewildered-alice-moncrieff-uncertain-of-next-steps.html
17 Mar 12: “After waiting years to be repaid for her
decades of hard work, 83 year old Carnarvon woman, Alice
Moncrieff does not know what the way forward is now
following the $2000 compensation offer from the West
Australian State Government. She is bewildered and now
uncertain about whether she is even eligible to make a
claim even… ”

National Indigenous Times: Stolen wages insult
http://www.nit.com.au/news/742-stolen-wages-insult.html
17 Mar 12: “The Aboriginal Legal Service of Western
Australia has reacted with anger at the $2000 compensation
offer to victims of Stolen Wages and advised all claimants
to reject the offer and continue with planned court action
to recover the money owed to them.”

National Indigenous Times:
Michael Anderson wows WA on the call for sovereignty
http://www.nit.com.au/news/739-michael-anderson-wows-wa-on-the-call-for-sovereignty.html
17 Mar 12: “The last remaining of the original four
founders of Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra, academic
and lawyer, Michael Anderson spent a week in Western
Australia inspiring audiences with the call for sovereignty
for Aboriginal peoples in a year he said is to be “a stand
for justice”.”

Green Left: Nyoongar Tent Embassy vows to stay put
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/50363
15 Mar 12: “Green Left Weekly’s Keith Westbrook visited
Matagarup (Heirrison Island) in Perth on March 13 to talk
to the Aboriginal protesters at the Nyoongar Tent Embassy
about their fight for sovereignty and their campaign
against the state Coalition government’s plan to extinguish
native title rights in the southwest of Western Australia.
Tent Embassy spokesperson Greg Martin’s comments are below.”

Indymedia Australia: “Pay the Rent” – say Nyoongars –
“Stronger Futures can go straight to hell”
https://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/15/pay-the-rent-say-nyoongars-stronger-futures-can-go-straight-to-hell
15 Mar 12: “With the Stronger Futures debacle in the
Australian Senate the following could not be more timely.
Nyoongar rights advocate and CEO of Dumbartung Aboriginal
Corporation, Robert Eggington has gathered together with
several prominent Nyoongars, and a large number of the
Nyoongar community, to announce their own Native Title
proposals for the state government to consider. Mr
Eggington will call for the ‘rent to paid’ to the Nyoongar
peoples for the use of their land – 5% of the Gross
Domestic Product of the south west and a suite of other
priorities.” Gerry Georgatos

9 News: NT Aboriginal elders send plea to GG
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8435925/nt-aboriginal-elders-send-plea-to-gg
15 Mar 12: “Traditional owners fighting off a nuclear waste
dump in the Northern Territory have invited the
Governor-General to Tennant Creek before she signs off on
the legislation. The Senate passed laws on Tuesday that
pave the way for medical, research and industrial waste to
be stored at the Muckaty Station site 120 kilometres from
Tennant Creek for hundreds of years. In a last ditch bid to
stop the waste dump 27 traditional owners have written to
Governor-General Quentin Bryce inviting her to the Top End
to meet and discuss their concerns.”

National Indigenous Radio Service:
Selective consultation on Muckaty waste dump:
Traditional owner claimant
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7039-selective-consultation-on-muckaty-waste-dump-traditional-owner-claimant
15 Mar 12: “Penelope Phillips says the Government only
consulted one purported traditional owner family out of a
possible five and should have waited for the outcome of a
Federal Court case to determine who the traditional owners
of the land are. “And they just went ahead and asked that
certain family group and that one certain group there. They
never asked the other groups, they just went ahead with it.
They never came and consulted those other four groups or
the other individual people about the Muckaty region and
no-one’s been talking now and what’s going to happen and
all that. … “”

ABC: Territory tops nation in sending people to jail
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-15/abs-prisoner-numbers-report/3892390/?site=newcastle
15 Mar 12: “The Bureau of Statistics says the Northern
Territory still has the highest imprisonment rate in
Australia. The figures are from the December quarter report
on national corrective services, which was released today.
… The largest proportional increase in the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander imprisonment rate from the December
2010 quarter was recorded in the Northern Territory (10 per
cent) followed by Tasmania (5 per cent).”

Environment Centre NT:
Territory staunch in opposition on waste dump despite
Muckaty legislation passed in the Senate
http://www.ecnt.org/media/territory-staunch-opposition-waste-dump-despite-muckaty-legislation-passed-senate
13 Mar 12: “As the National Radioactive Waste Management
Bill passes through the Senate today, the Environment
Centre NT in Darwin and Arid Lands Environment Centre in
Alice Springs will keep up the fight to oppose a nuclear
waste dump in the Territory. “Canberra may now have its
legislation, but we are more determined than ever to ensure
a radioactive waste dump doesn’t end up in the Territory”
said Cat Beaton, Nuclear Free NT Campaigner at the ECNT.”

Indymedia Australia:
Aboriginal Political Party is born to fight injustice
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/09/aboriginal-political-party-is-born-to-fight-injustice
9 Mar 12: “The Aboriginal Political Party (APP) has been
born in South Australia and it has based its first
principle on fighting injustice. Leading the way are APP
executive officers, Kaurna Elder, Lynette Crocker and Dr
Dylan Coleman, the 2011 recipient of the Queensland
Premier’s David Unaipon Indigenous Literary Award. On
February 19, the 176th South Australian Letters Patent
commemoration was held by the APP.” Gerry Georgatos

* UPCOMING ABORIGINAL RIGHTS EVENTS AROUND AUSTRALIA
– 27 EVENTS FROM 17 MARCH 2012:

Indymedia Australia:
Upcoming Aboriginal rights events around Australia
– 27 events from 17 March 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/17/upcoming-aboriginal-rights-events-around-australia-27-events-from-17-march-2012

– – –

Subscription to ‘WGAR News’ is free.

‘WGAR News’ monitors the media, including alternative media,
focusing on the Australian Federal government intervention
into Northern Territory (NT) Aboriginal communities along
with other Aboriginal rights issues.

‘WGAR News’ publishes information and opinions from a wide
range of sources. These opinions expressed are not
necessarily the opinions of WGAR.

The e-newsletters include media releases, opinion pieces,
news items and events. Subscribers can expect to receive
about 2 e-newsletters each week.

To subscribe, email wgar.news@gmail.com and include the
words “subscribe WGAR News” in the message header.

To unsubscribe, email wgar.news@gmail.com and include the
words “unsubscribe WGAR News” in the message header.

– – –

You can also subscribe to our second list ‘Contact WGAR’
which focuses on activities and events and provides a point
of contact.

To subscribe, email contactwgar@gmail.com and include the
words “subscribe WGAR Contact” in the message header.

– – –

WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)
WGAR Website: https://wgar.wordpress.com/
YouTube – Videos from this email