120521 – “Australia challenged at United Nations over NT laws” Statement of delegations to UN

Contents:
* Statement: Australia challenged at United Nations over NT laws
* Background to UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
* UnitingJustice: Stronger Futures Call to Action
* Congress: Stop & Listen on New NT Laws Campaign update
* Solidarity:
Yolngu nations reignite opposition to leases and Intervention
* SPC Statement of Support for the Yolngu Nations Assembly
* PHAA:
Partnership approach missing in Stronger Futures legislation
* More ‘Stronger Futures’ Legislation related articles
* Background to ‘Stronger Futures’ new NT Intervention laws
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Let’s Talk’s Tiga Bayles interviews Kevin Buzzacott
* Background to expansion of Olympic Dam mine challenge
* Interview with Sam Watson over Brisbane tent embassy eviction
* GL: Eyewitness: Brisbane tent embassy eviction was an outrage
* ABC: Portland tent embassy stands firm after 100 days [Vic]
* Perth Now:
Swan Valley Nyoongar community returns to Lockridge camp [WA]
* Background to the Aboriginal tent embassies
* Other articles

* STATEMENT: AUSTRALIA CHALLENGED AT UNITED NATIONS OVER NT LAWS

– Statement

Australia challenged at United Nations over NT laws
Congress: http://nationalcongress.com.au/australia-challenged-u-n/
VALS: http://vals.org.au/law-reform-and-policy-development/media/post/australia-challenged-at-united-nations-over-racist-laws/
IRAG: http://rollbacktheintervention.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/un-statement-16-5-12.pdf
Stand for Freedom: http://standforfreedom.org.au/2012/05/16/australia-challenged-at-united-nations-over-racist-laws/
Indymedia: http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/17/australia-challenged-at-united-nations-over-racist-laws
16 May 12: “Statement of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander delegations to the United Nations
The United Nations has heard significant criticisms from the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegations over
race-based laws currently being considered by the Australian
Government.
The delegations are rejecting the argument of the Australian
Government that the race laws are ‘special measures’ and are
therefore not racially discriminatory.
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues,
which is currently in session at the UN Headquarters in New
York, has been told that Australia is introducing new laws
which treat Aboriginal people differently from all other
Australians.
The Northern Territory ‘Stronger Futures’ Bills will extend
the 5 year ‘intervention’ laws, which were first enacted in
2007, for another 10 years. …
Australia must stop the continuing ‘framework of dominance’
over the first peoples and honour its commitment to comply
with its international human rights obligations.”
“Statement issued by:
* National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples
* Secretariat of the National Aboriginal and Islander Child
Care Agencies
* National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services
* National Native Title Council
* National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations”

– Related Audio

ABC PM:
Extension of NT Intervention in breach of human rights: UN
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2012/s3506198.htm
18 May 12: “The United Nations has heard that Australia is
breaching its human rights obligations by moving to extend
the Intervention in Northern Territory Aboriginal
communities. The chairman of the National Congress of
Australia’s First Peoples says it’s a major disappointment
that the Government is extending laws for another 10 years,
without the consent of the people concerned. Les Malezer
says the laws are racist. … ”
“LES MALEZER: The major disappointment has been the
decision of the Government to extend the Northern Territory
Intervention laws for another 10 years without the consent
of the people’s concerned and without subjecting the
proposed new laws to scrutiny against Australia’s human
rights obligations as a member of the United Nations.”

– Related News

newsTracker: Stronger Futures fight taken to the UN
http://tracker.org.au/2012/05/stronger-futures-fight-taken-to-the-un/
18 May 12: “NATIONAL: The National Congress of Australia’s
First Peoples has taken the fight against the federal
government’s continuation of the Northern Territory
intervention to the United Nations. The chairman of the
National Congress of Australia’s First People, Les Malezer,
spoke at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New
York this week, where he criticised the proposed 10-year
extension of the intervention. He said a “major
disappointment” was the decision to extend the laws
“without the consent of the peoples concerned”.”

Age: Stronger Futures laws slammed at UN
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/stronger-futures-laws-slammed-at-un-20120517-1yt6g.html
17 May 12: “An Aboriginal leader has taken the fight
against the federal government’s continuation of the
Northern Territory intervention to the United Nations. The
chairman of the National Congress of Australia’s First
People, Les Malezer, spoke at the UN permanent forum on
indigenous issues in New York this week, where he
criticised the proposed 10-year extension of the
intervention. … The legislation, which has been rebranded
as Stronger Futures, is before the Senate and is expected
to pass parliament in June.” Lisa Martin

Australian:
Indigenous leader critical of extension of intervention in UN
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/indigenous/indigenous-leader-critical-of-extension-of-intervention-in-un/story-fn9hm1pm-1226359366684
18 May 12: “THE chairman of the National Congress of
Australia’s First People, Les Malezer, has spoken at the
United Nations permanent forum on indigenous issues in New
York this week, where he criticised the proposed 10-year
extension of the intervention. He said a “major
disappointment” was the decision to extend the laws
“without the consent of the peoples concerned”.”

See:

Background to National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples:
Last updated: 5 May 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/05/background-to-the-national-congress-of-australia%E2%80%99s-first-peoples

* BACKGROUND TO UN PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES:

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
http://social.un.org/index/IndigenousPeoples.aspx

Joint Intervention delivered by Shane Duffy on behalf of the
Indigenous Peoples Organisation Network of Australia
– Stronger Futures
http://www.docip.org/gsdl/collect/cendocdo/index/assoc/HASH01ee/669f89a7.dir/pf12shane266.pdf#search=%22Stronger%20Futures%22

Statement on behalf of
National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples
http://www.docip.org/gsdl/cgi-bin/library?e=d-01000-00—off-0cendocdo–00-1–0-10-0—0—0prompt-10—4——-0-1l–11-en-50—20-about—00-3-1-00-0-0-11-1-0utfZz-8-00&a=d&c=cendocdo&cl=CL3.2.9.38

doCip Online Documentation – Indigenous organisations – Pacific
http://www.docip.org/gsdl/cgi-bin/library?e=d-01000-00—off-0cendocdo–00-1–0-10-0—0—0prompt-10—4——-0-1l–11-en-50—20-about—00-3-1-00-0-0-11-1-0utfZz-8-00&a=d&c=cendocdo&cl=CL3.2.9

* UNITINGJUSTICE: STRONGER FUTURES CALL TO ACTION

– Action

UnitingJustice Australia: Stronger Futures Call to Action
http://www.unitingjustice.org.au/justice-for-indigenous-australians/information-and-action-resources/item/851-stronger-futures-call-to-action
“The Stronger Futures debate in Parliament will resume 18th
June. This gives us a few more weeks to voice our
opposition to the introduction of the legislation.
The Stronger Futures legislation is a series of Bills that
will determine what programs the Government implements for
Indigenous communities for the next 10 years. The Bills are
an extension of the Northern Territory Emergency Response
Act 2007 (the Intervention), and will extend the
discriminatory measures by up to a decade.
If passed, some of the discriminatory measures that would
be introduced through the Stronger Futures legislation
include: …
You can download the Call to Action Kit which includes:
background material on the Stronger Futures legislation;
advocacy strategies;
information postcards to distribute;
and a form letter to complete and send to politicians.”

* CONGRESS: STOP & LISTEN ON NEW NT LAWS CAMPAIGN UPDATE

– Campaign update

National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples:
Stop & Listen on New NT Laws Campaign update
http://nationalcongress.com.au/stop-listen-on-new-nt-laws-campaign-update/
15 May 12: “Congress opposes the new laws to continue the
Intervention in the Northern Territory (the Stronger
Futures package).
These bills were introduced to the parliament without being
tested against Australia’s human rights obligations (the
Parliamentary Scrutiny (Human Rights) Act 2011), as is now
required for all new Australian legislation.
We established an electronic letter campaign so supporters
of Aboriginal people in the NT who oppose the new laws,
could send a message to their Senators. The letter asks
Senators to advise what they are doing to have these bills
withdrawn and to ensure that Aboriginal people are
consulted properly on any future legislation.
The Australian newspaper reported on our campaign
– see the story below.
Congress wrote this Letter to the Editor in response to the
story … ”

See:

Background to National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples:
Last updated: 5 May 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/05/background-to-the-national-congress-of-australia%E2%80%99s-first-peoples

* SOLIDARITY:
YOLNGU NATIONS REIGNITE OPPOSITION TO LEASES AND INTERVENTION

– News

Solidarity Online:
Yolngu nations reignite opposition to leases and Intervention

Yolngu nations reignite opposition to leases and Intervention

May 2012: “The Yolngu Nations Assembly meeting in
Ramingining has taken an important stand against the
“Stronger Futures” legislation currently before the Senate.
… Now Yolngu clan leaders, representing more than 8000
people across Arnhem Land, are giving this opposition some
teeth. Their statement, issued on April 24, “calls on the
Senate to discard these bills in full”, and demands the
reinstatement of Aboriginal controlled local government,
bilingual education and an end to the policy of forcing
migration into urban “hub towns”. Crucially, the statement
also, “call(s) on all traditional owners across the Northern
Territory to refuse participation in land lease negotiations
with the Australian Federal Government, and approval for any
exploration licenses… until the Stronger Futures Bill (and
those associated) are thrown out”.”

See:

WGAR News: Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement concerning
‘Stronger Futures’ laws and NT policies (4 May 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/04/wgar-news-yolngu-nations-assembly-statement-concerning-stronger-futures-laws-and-nt-polic

WGAR News: Several organisations express support for the
Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement (10 May 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/10/wgar-news-several-organisations-express-support-for-the-yolngu-nations-assembly-statement

WGAR News: More organisations state support for the
Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement (11 May 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/11/wgar-news-more-organisations-state-support-for-the-yolngu-nations-assembly-statement

STICS compilation:
Yolŋu Nations Assembly Statement and Supporters
http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/stronger-futures-legislation/yolngu-statement-and-supporters
“* Yolŋu Nations Assembly Statement regarding Australian
Federal Government Stronger Futures Bills and Northern
Territory Policies, to the Leaders of the Australian
Federal and Northern Territory Parliaments …
* Statements and Media Releases by Churches, Organisations
and Groups calling to abandon the Stronger Futures
Legislation and supporting the Yolŋu Nations Assembly
Statement … ”

Respect and Listen compilation:
http://www.respectandlisten.org/
“Additional Statements calling to
Abandon the Stronger Futures Legislation, and to
Support the Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement:
* Solidarity
* Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney [STICS]
* National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission (NATSIEC)
* Women for Wik”

‘concerned Australians’ compilation:
Churches, Religious, Organisations and Reconciliation Groups
http://concernedaustralians.com.au/Stronger_Futures_Yolngu_supporters.html
“Calls to Abandon the Stronger Futures Legislation, and
Calls to Support the Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement”

* SPC STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE YOLNGU NATIONS ASSEMBLY:

– Statement

Social Policy Connections Statement of Support for the Yolngu
Nations Assembly regarding the Stronger Futures Legislation
‘cA’: http://concernedaustralians.com.au/media/stronger_futures_yolngu/Social_Policy_Connections.pdf
“Social Policy Connections (SPC) is an independent,
ecumenical, non-profit organisation, motivated and informed
by Christian social thinking. Our aim is to expand
awareness in Australia of social justice issues, as well as
to influence public policy-nationally and globally-for the
benefit of all, especially the most disadvantaged.
Given our vision is for a fairer society where all
Australians can share equitably in the prosperity of our
land, we are committed to seeing disadvantaged communities
raised up to enjoy greater wellbeing.
We are disappointed that the Stronger Futures legislation
has not taken account of the concerns raised by the Yolngu
Nations. The important principle of self-determination
which underpinned much of the reconciliation work of the
past two decades is eroded when the Indigenous voice is not
respected and acted upon. … ”

* PHAA:
PARTNERSHIP APPROACH MISSING IN STRONGER FUTURES LEGISLATION

– Media Release

Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA):
Partnership approach missing in Stronger Futures legislation
‘cA’: http://concernedaustralians.com.au/media/stronger_futures_yolngu/Public_Health_Association_of_Australia.pdf
“The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) is
calling on the government to listen to the concerns of the
Yolnju Nations Assembly in relation to the new Stronger
Futures legislation proposed for the Northern Territory.
“Lack of negotiations and the tight time frame of community
consultations demonstrate a lack of community ownership and
a breakdown in government relationships with communities,”
said Vanessa Lee, Vice President of the PHAA.
“There is no evidence of community ownership in the
legislation. This will make it difficult for the Australian
government to achieve the Council of Australian Government’s
broader objectives. There is also an underlying issue in
relation to the ongoing abuse of trust by government
services which continues to undermine community governance
and create a sense of disempowerment amongst these people.
“The PHAA is concerned about the violations of human rights
that are inherent in the proposed Stronger Futures
legislation. … “”

* MORE ‘STRONGER FUTURES’ LEGISLATION RELATED ARTICLES:

– News

adelaidenow: Aboriginal Community Constable scheme
‘struggling’ due to Intervention backlash
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/aboriginal-community-constable-scheme-struggling-due-to-intervention-backlash/story-e6frea83-1226359878767
18 May 12: “THE HOWARD Government’s controversial Northern
Territory Intervention scheme was deterring South
Australians from becoming Aboriginal Community Constables
in the APY Lands, a University SA academic says. Senior
advisor on social justice, John Browne said the former
federal government’s decision in 2007 to take control of
affairs at more than 70 Indigenous communities amid claims
of child sexual abuse and other social problems had people
on APY Lands in the far north-west of the state “wary of
authority”.”

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

Last updated: 12 May 2012

http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-stronger-futures-new-nt-intervention-laws

* BACKGROUND TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION:

Last updated: 29 April 2012

http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-northern-territory-nt-intervention

* LET’S TALK’S TIGA BAYLES INTERVIEWS KEVIN BUZZACOTT:

– Audio Interview

Indigenous radio station 98.9FM Brisbane:
Let’s Talk’s Tiga Bayles interviews Kevin Buzzacott
http://www.989fm.com.au/category/podcasts/
14 May 12
Listen to this interview on-line:
http://www.989fm.com.au/podcasts/lets-talk/kevin-buzzacott/

* BACKGROUND TO EXPANSION OF OLYMPIC DAM MINE CHALLENGE:

Last updated: 21 May 2012

http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/13/background-to-expansion-of-olympic-dam-mine-challenge-south-australia

* INTERVIEW WITH SAM WATSON OVER BRISBANE TENT EMBASSY EVICTION:

– Audio Interview

ABC Radio Australia:
Brisbane Aboriginal embassy raid continues years of friction
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/brisbane-aboriginal-embassy-raid-continues-years-of-friction/946042
18 May 12: “There was standoff between the Aboriginal
community in the city of Brisbane, police, the local
council, and the new state government this week. The issue
was the building of a tent embassy in Musgrave Park, a
major focus point for Aboriginal events and affairs in the
city. After complaints from the council and the local Greek
community, who intend to run a cultural festival there, on
Wednesday over 200 police surrounded the embassy site, made
a number of arrests, and dismantled the camp site. The event
has once again focussed attention on the friction between
Aboriginal people and Queensland officials.
Presenter: Campbell Cooney
Speaker: Sam Watson, Brisbane Aboriginal community worker”

– Related Audio Interview

4BC News Talk: Tent Embassy protest moves online
http://www.4bc.com.au/blogs/4bc-blog/tent-embassy-protest-moves-online/20120517-1yt5s.html
17 May 12: “As the Aboriginal tent embassy protests
continue in Brisbane, local resident Steve Skitmore has
founded Change.org, a website were people can lodge a
protest that is sent directly to the Lord Mayor, defending
Indigenous rights. He joins Gary Hardgrave to explain why
he thinks the sovereign embassy should be allowed back in
Musgrave Park.”

See:

WGAR News: Change.org Petition: Mayor Graham Quirk:
allow the return of the Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy to
Musgrave Park (18 May 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/18/wgar-news-brisbane-police-move-on-aboriginal-tent-embassy-the-wire

– Related Audio

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News 17-05
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-17-05
17 May 12: “Aborignal leaders in Brisbane have re
established the Sovereign Aborignal Tent Embassy at a new
site and accepted an offer to meet with Lord Mayor Graham
Quirk next week to discuss the future of the Embassy.”

– Related News

Perth Now: Evicted protesters call for official probe
http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/breaking-news/evicted-protesters-call-for-official-probe/story-e6frg12u-1226360391292
18 May 12: “PROTESTERS evicted from an Aboriginal tent
embassy have taken their fight to Queensland’s corruption
watchdog. The moves came after more than 200 police moved
protesters out of the makeshift tent embassy in Musgrave
Park in South Brisbane on Wednesday. Indigenous activist
Sam Watson led a group of about 15 protesters to the Crime
and Misconduct Commission’s headquarters today.”

QUT News:
Protests continue at Aboriginal tent embassy in Brisbane
http://www.qutnews.com/2012/05/17/protests-continue-at-aboriginal-tent-embassy-in-brisbane/#.T7hogMXt0ec
17 May 12: “Protesters at the tent embassy in Musgrave Park
say they have reached a verbal agreement with the Brisbane
City Council. Indigenous community members held a closed
meeting this morning to discuss the future of the protest
and the embassy. Traditional owner Shannon Ruska says today
was the” start of negotiations with traditional owners of
the land”. … Members of the embassy will meet with
Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk on Tuesday.”

9 News: Future of tent embassy uncertain
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8469009/brisbane-protest-evictions-spark-petition
17 May 12: “Indigenous leaders will maintain a vigil at a
new protest site while they decide on the long-term fate of
a make-shift Brisbane tent embassy. … A smaller group of
protesters has set up camp at an alternate,
council-approved location adjacent to the park. Local
traditional owners are expected to meet Brisbane City
Council next Tuesday to discuss their future presence in
the park. The group has been protesting for about two
months to draw attention to the sovereign rights of
indigenous people.”

Courier Mail:
Tent Embassy members should meet at Jagera Arts Hall
http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/central/tent-embassy-meeting-place-call/story-fn8m0qb4-1226358878442
17 May 12: “Tent Embassy members should be able to meet at
the Jagera Arts hall on Musgrave Park cultural centre land,
councillor Helen Abrahams (Gabba) said on Thursday. Cr
Abrahams today called on the Brisbane City Council to open
up the hall for use as a meeting place and site for local
indigenous ceremonies. She said the forcible removal of the
Musgrave Park Tent Embassy emphasised the fact that the
indigenous community had no place to meet or hold ceremonies
in Brisbane.”

– Related Video

ABC: Police move against Brisbane tent embassy
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-16/aboriginal-protesters-forced-out-of-park/4014808
16 May 12: “Indigenous protesters are fronting Queensland
Parliament after their tent embassy was dismantled to
make way for a Greek festival at Musgrave Park in
South Brisbane.”

See:

WGAR News: “Brisbane police move on Aboriginal Tent Embassy”
The Wire (18 May 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/18/wgar-news-brisbane-police-move-on-aboriginal-tent-embassy-the-wire

WGAR News: “Brisbane City Council to try to forcibly remove
Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy” MR (16 May 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/16/wgar-news-brisbane-city-council-to-try-to-forcibly-remove-aboriginal-sovereign-embassy-mr

Sovereign Union: Sovereign Embassy Brisbane
http://nationalunitygovernment.org/content/sovereign-embassy-brisbane
[Musgrave Park, Brisbane, Qld]

Facebook: Brisbane Sovereign Embassy, Musgrave Park
http://www.facebook.com/BrisbaneSovereignEmbassyMusgravePark
[Musgrave Park, Brisbane, Qld]

* GL: EYEWITNESS: BRISBANE TENT EMBASSY EVICTION WAS AN OUTRAGE

– Eyewitness account

Green Left:
Eyewitness: Brisbane tent embassy eviction was an outrage
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/51057
18 May 12: “Mardi Reardon-Smith gathered at Brisbane’s
Musgrave Park with other supporters early on May 16 to
support the Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy, which
was later evicted from the park by more than 200 police
officers. Her account of the day is below. * * *
On May 16, I witnessed an act I would describe as utterly
ignorant and devoid of reason. Having heard the call for
support from our brothers and sisters at the Musgrave Park
Tent Embassy late Tuesday night, I made the decision to
head down in the early hours of the morning and lend
assistance by showing my support in any way I could. … ”

* ABC: PORTLAND TENT EMBASSY STANDS FIRM AFTER 100 DAYS [Vic]

– Audio Interview

ABC Western Victoria:
Portland tent embassy stands firm after 100 days
http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2012/05/17/3505435.htm?site=westernvic
18 May 12: “One hundred days after setting up an Aboriginal
tent embassy in Portland’s main street, organisers are
vowing to stay until the Native Title Act is upheld. They
say Native Title decisions are being made by people who are
not traditional owners of the land. … Organisers of
Portland’s Market Square tent embassy say they’re being
denied the right to make decisions about things like
development, tourism and sacred sites.”

See:

WGAR News:
Tent Embassy set up in Portland’s Market Square, Vic (1 Mar 12)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/01/wgar-news-press-conference-on-stronger-futures-legislation-by-hon-alastair-nicholson-ao-r
[Portland, Vic]

Sovereign Union: Portland Aboriginal Tent Embassy
http://nationalunitygovernment.org/content/portland-aboriginal-tent-embassy
[Portland, Vic]

Facebook: Portland Aboriginal Tent Embassy
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Portland-Aboriginal-Tent-Embassy/315874731800711
[Portland, Vic]

* PERTH NOW:
SWAN VALLEY NYOONGAR COMMUNITY RETURNS TO LOCKRIDGE CAMP [WA]

– News

Perth Now:
Swan Valley Nyoongar community returns to Lockridge camp
http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/swan-valley-noongar-community-returns-to-lockridge-camp/story-e6frg13u-1226361091939
19 May 12: “SWAN Valley Nyoongars say that they have
reclaimed the controversial Lockridge community camp by
setting up a tent embassy and have vowed to fight to stay.
The community has been at the campsite since Thursday, when
neighbours say they scaled the fences to gain entry. The
Gallop government closed the campsite in 2003 amid
allegations of widespread sexual abuse. Swan Valley Nyungah
Community spokesman Herbert Bropho said he would resist any
police attempt to remove them from the site. “If the police
come I’ll stand my ground,” he said.”

– History

Swan Valley Nyoongar community returns to Lockridge camp:
History
Sovereign Union: [scroll down page] http://nationalunitygovernment.org/content/swan-valley-nyoongar-community-returns-lockridge-camp
Treaty Republic: [scroll down page] http://treatyrepublic.net/content/swan-valley-nyoongar-community-returns-lockridge-camp
“History:
Archaeological evidence suggests that the area has been
inhabited for at least 38,000 years.
From the 1830s until the 1940s the land was owned by the
Hammersley family, which allowed Aboriginal people to
remain on their traditional campsite. … ”

* BACKGROUND TO THE ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSIES:

Last updated: 18 May 2012

http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-aboriginal-sovereignty-movement-and-the-aboriginal-tent-embassies

* OTHER ARTICLES:

– News

Perth Indymedia: Phill Moncrieff says WA Labor must commit
to justice for Stolen Wages victims
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/16/phill-moncrieff-says-wa-labor-must-commit-to-justice-for-stolen-wages-victims
16 May 12: “Yamatji singer/songwriter, rights activist and
Stolen Wages campaigner Phill Moncrieff has not given up in
the fight for justice for the victims of the Stolen Wages
in Western Australia. In March 2012, the WA government said
that the living victims only, and not any of families, will
be eligible to apply for upto $2,000 from a Government Trust
Scheme. The right to application to these funds has been
limited to six months from late March and with the
expectation that any further claims are extinguished. Long
time campaigner Mr Moncrieff said this is not acceptable.”
By Gerry Georgatos

Perth Indymedia: Broome Shire Rangers and WA Police issue
move-on notices today to local civil anti-gas hub
protestors at James Price Point
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/17/broome-shire-rangers-and-wa-police-issue-move-on-notices-today-to-local-civil-anti-gas-hu
17 May 12: “In the last hour Broome Shire Rangers have been
issuing move on notices to camped protestors, all civil, at
the Manari Road camp – so it appears all dissent needs to
be crushed. Most of the campers at this time are local
residents not happy with the prospect of a gas hub. On all
tents where there were campers were not nearby
move-on-notices were stuck to them. There are thereabouts
200 WA police, in addition to local police, in Broome at
this time to put an end to any dissent from protestors to
the Woodside led joint venture of a gas hub processing
plant at James Price Point.” By Gerry Georgatos

Perth Indymedia: $100,000 a day on police to escort
Woodside workers while Aboriginal youth dies
http://www.indymedia.org.au/2012/05/16/100000-a-day-on-police-to-escort-woodside-workers-while-aboriginal-youth-dies
16 May 12: “WA Police sent 140 to 200 special response
police officers to Broome to escort Woodside workers and
their machinery onsite at James Price Point where the gas
hub precinct is being considered. … Broome-based Nyikina
rights advocate and economist, Sofia Mirniyinna slammed the
police overkill and the reckless expenditure. “Our people
are dying at alarming rates, young and old and Barnett and
O’Callaghan spend $100,000 a day, money that does not get
spent on our people.”” By Gerry Georgatos