* Briscoe family condemns NT prosecutor decision on anniversary
of Briscoe death: Media Release
* Tracker: Family, lawyers condemn DPP decision over Briscoe death
* Tracker: NT denies closing door on Briscoe talks
* Background to the justice for Kumentjaye Briscoe campaign
* NIRS: Incarceration should be “matter of last resort”
* ABC: Indigenous leader urges action on jail ‘time bomb’
[call for a national summit]
* ABC The World Today Audio:
Jobs not jail for troubled Indigenous youths: Mundine
[call for a national summit]
* ABC: Indigenous youth justice summit call dismissed
* Background to Aboriginal imprisonment and Deaths in Custody
* NIRS:
Government ‘doesn’t want to hear bad news about income management’
* Background to ‘Stronger Futures’ new NT Intervention laws
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Sovereign Union: Sovereign Union and Our Political Future
* Background to the Aboriginal sovereignty movement
* Joseph Toscano, Anarchist World 3CR:
Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheener – freedom fighters execution
* NIRS:
Parties must detail Indigenous policies before election: Congress
* Background to National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples
* NIRS: Illawarra LALC slams state body on mining plans
* Other articles
* BRISCOE FAMILY CONDEMNS NT PROSECUTOR DECISION ON ANNIVERSARY
OF BRISCOE DEATH: MEDIA RELEASE
- Media Release
Briscoe Family Condemns NT Prosecutor Decision On
Anniversary Of Briscoe Death
IRAG: http://rollbacktheintervention.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/mr-dpp-re-briscoe-case-8-1-13.pdf
Indigenous Peoples: http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17062:northern-territory-briscoe-family-condemns-nt-prosecutor-decision-on-anniversary-of-briscoe-death&catid=24&Itemid=57
8 Jan 13: “The family of Kwementyaye Briscoe have condemned
a recent decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions
(DPP) in the NT not to investigate potential criminal
charges against the police officers responsible for Mr
Briscoe’s death.
The decision to take no further action was made close to the
anniversary of Mr Briscoe’s death in custody in the Alice
Springs watch house on 4 January 2012.
On the advice of prominent barrister Greg Barnes, Shine
Lawyers wrote to the DPP in December 2012, outlining
potential charges which could be laid against some of the
police officer/s involved in the death of Mr Briscoe
including potential manslaughter and “failure to rescue”
offenses.
NT DPP Director Richard Coates has responded to Shine
Lawyers by ruling out any investigation, citing the
Coroner’s failure to recommend charges as the reason the
matter will not be pursued.
George Newhouse, the head of Shine Lawyers Social Justice
Team says the lack of action by the DPP highlights
fundamental flaws in the justice system when it comes to
dealing with Aboriginal people. … “
See:
IRAG
http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/irag/
“The Intervention Rollback Action Group is made up of
volunteers from community groups and organisations who meet
regularly to discuss issues that arise from the impact of
the Northern Territory Emergency Response
(Intervention/Invasion). The group supports individuals and
community groups to deal with those issues and take
appropriate action.”
Who We Are – Indigenous Peoples Issues and Resources
http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68&Itemid=67
“Indigenous Peoples Issues and Resources is a worldwide
network of organizations, academics, activists, indigenous
groups, and others representing indigenous and tribal
peoples.”
* TRACKER: FAMILY, LAWYERS CONDEMN DPP DECISION OVER BRISCOE DEATH
- News
newsTracker:
Family, lawyers condemn DPP decision over Briscoe death
http://tracker.org.au/2013/01/family-lawyers-condemn-dpp-decision-over-briscoe-death/
9 Jan 13: “NORTHERN TERRITORY: Lawyers for the family of an
Aboriginal man who died in police custody last year have
condemned the NT’s Director of Public Prosecutions for
failing to investigate the death. … The coronial report
into his death found numerous police errors the night he
was locked up, stating police care was “completely
inadequate and unsatisfactory, and not sufficient to meet
his medical needs”. But the NT DPP has decided it will not
investigate potential criminal charges for police officers
on duty on the night of Mr Briscoe’s death, Shine Lawyers
said in a statement.”
See:
About Tracker
http://tracker.org.au/about-us/
“Tracker magazine is a publication of the NSW Aboriginal
Land Council, Australia’s largest Aboriginal organisation.”
- Related News
NT News: Compensation offer withdrawn over Briscoe death
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2013/01/09/316537_ntnews.html
9 Jan 13: “THE lawyer for the family of a man who died in
custody has threatened to sue the police officers on duty
if the NT Government refuses to give them compensation.
Lawyer for Kwementyaye Briscoe’s family, George Newhouse
said the NT Government has decided not to give an ex gratia
payment until the family had exhausted all civil
proceedings against those associated with Mr Briscoe’s
death. But Attorney General John Elferink denied the
government had refused to negotiate an ex gratia payment.”
* TRACKER: NT DENIES CLOSING DOOR ON BRISCOE TALKS
- News
newsTracker: NT denies closing door on Briscoe talks
http://tracker.org.au/2013/01/nt-denies-closing-door-on-briscoe-talks/
10 Jan 13: “NORTHERN TERRITORY: Northern Territory
Attorney-General John Elferink says claims his government
is trying to avoid compensation talks with the family of a
man who died in police custody may be part of a legal
strategy. “This looks more like a strategy that they are
employing to get the government all twitchy about opening
the doors for negotiation,” Mr Elferink told AAP on
Wednesday. “Those doors were never closed and even if you
go through the normal civil process of litigation the
negotiation door is never closed.”"
See:
About Tracker
http://tracker.org.au/about-us/
“Tracker magazine is a publication of the NSW Aboriginal
Land Council, Australia’s largest Aboriginal organisation.”
* BACKGROUND TO THE JUSTICE FOR KUMENTJAYE BRISCOE CAMPAIGN:
Last updated: 8 January 2013
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/12/17/background-to-the-justice-for-kumentjaye-briscoe-campaign
* NIRS: INCARCERATION SHOULD BE “MATTER OF LAST RESORT”
- News
National Indigenous Radio Service:
Incarceration should be “matter of last resort”
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7725-incarceration-should-be-qmatter-of-last-resortq
8 Jan 13: “The Indigenous Social Justice Association says
something must be done about the rising incarceration rates
of young Indigenous people nation-wide. … Association
President Ray Jackson says Aboriginal children are treated
badly within the juvenile justice system. “The magistrates,
especially out in western New South Wales, are absolutely
going berserk with their sentences. “Where is the
understanding that, as the Royal Commission [into Indigenous
deaths in custody] recommendations stated, incarceration is
a matter of last resort? “That doesn’t seem to apply to
magistrates anymore.”"
See:
Indigenous Social Justice Association – Melbourne:
Who we are and what we stand for
http://www.isja-msg.com/index.htm
“The Indigenous Social Justice Association – Melbourne
(ISJA – Melb) was established in January 2005 to organise a
Melbourne rally and march as part of a National Day of
Action (NDA) to mark the first anniversary of the death of
Kamilaroi teenager, TJ Hickey in Redfern, and to demand a
fresh inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death.
… ISJA – Melb primary objective is to stop Aboriginal
deaths in custody and support Aboriginal peoples’ quest for
justice. However, recognises that the struggle to end
Indigenous deaths in custody cannot be separated from the
wider campaign for Indigenous rights. This is why we also
work to advance campaigns to recognise the Sovereignty of
Australia’s many Indigenous nations and the negotiation of
genuine treaties with these nations and why we oppose the
Federal Government’s intervention into NT Aboriginal
communities.”
About the National Indigenous Radio Service
http://www.nirs.org.au/about-us
“The National Indigenous Radio Service Limited (NIRS) is a
national service provided from a hub station residing in
Brisbane. It networks material for Indigenous media
organisations that don’t have the staffing or capital
requirements to provide a 24-hour high quality broadcast to
their audience.”
- Related News
National Indigenous Radio Service:
Current youth policies not working: Lawyer
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7731-current-youth-policies-not-working-lawyer
10 Jan 13: “President of the Indigenous Lawyers Association
of Queensland says the rate of Aboriginal juvenile
incarceration is alarming. The Australian Institute of
Health and Welfare recently released a report which shows
the national rate of Aboriginal youth detention has risen
to a rate of 31 times the non-Indigenous rate, which is up
from 27 times in 2008. Joshua Creamer says the main concern
is that as the children get older, they might continue to
commit offences and move into adult prisons.”
Australian:
Disparity in black sentences ‘perverse’, says Mick Gooda
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/indigenous/disparity-in-black-sentences-perverse-says-mick-gooda/story-fn9hm1pm-1226550754153
10 Jan 13: “ABORIGINAL leader Mick Gooda has questioned
sentencing disparities in the nation’s courts that display
a bizarre leniency towards violent black-on-black crimes
yet lock children in juvenile prisons in white-dominated
regional towns for minor offences. The Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Justice Commissioner said yesterday
he despaired at a justice system that seemed to say it was
“all right for Aboriginal men to bash women but ‘steal
something (and) we’ll come down on you like a tonne of
bricks’ “.”
* ABC: INDIGENOUS LEADER URGES ACTION ON JAIL ‘TIME BOMB’
[CALL FOR A NATIONAL SUMMIT]
- News
ABC Indigenous:
Indigenous leader urges action on jail ‘time bomb’
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-09/indigenous-leader-calls-for-action-on-youth-jail-rates/4458048/?site=indigenous&topic=latest
9 Jan 13: “One of Australia’s most prominent Indigenous
leaders is calling for a national summit on Aboriginal
justice issues to reverse soaring incarceration levels.
National and state statistics show Indigenous youths are
being locked up at an alarming rate. Warren Mundine says
the incarceration rates have doubled in the past decade.
“You’ve got figures of the Aboriginal population making up
between 2 to 3 per cent of the Australian population and
yet it is over 53 per cent of the juvenile justice and jail
prison rates,” he told The World Today.” By Emily Bourke
See:
ABC Indigenous – About this Website
http://www.abc.net.au/indigenous/about/default.htm
“Welcome to ABC Indigenous – our new online portal for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. ABC
Indigenous has replaced the pre-existing Message Stick
gateway. The Indigenous portal was ‘soft-launched’ on
Tuesday 2 June, 2008. The portal is designed to reflect
current issues in the Indigenous community.”
- Related Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
http://caama.com.au/radio#tabs-6
http://caama.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/am-10.1.12.mp3
10 Jan 13: “Warren Mundine, prominent Aboriginal leader
is calling for a national summit to tackle the
alarming rates of Indigenous incarceration.”
* ABC THE WORLD TODAY AUDIO:
JOBS NOT JAIL FOR TROUBLED INDIGENOUS YOUTHS: MUNDINE
[CALL FOR A NATIONAL SUMMIT]
- Audio
ABC The World Today:
Jobs not jail for troubled Indigenous youths: Mundine
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2013/s3666476.htm
9 Jan 13: “One of Australia’s most prominent Indigenous
leaders is calling for a national summit on Aboriginal
justice issues to reverse soaring incarceration levels.
Warren Mundine says Aboriginal youths are being jailed
at double the rate of a decade ago. He says going to jail
is now a culturally acceptable rite of passage for young
Aboriginal men and boys. And he’s accused state and
federal governments of creating a so-called Indigenous
prison industry. …
WARREN MUNDINE: You’ve got figures of, you know, the
Aboriginal population making up between 2 to 3 per cent of
the Australian population and yet it is over 53 per cent
of the juvenile justice and jail prison rates.”
* ABC: INDIGENOUS YOUTH JUSTICE SUMMIT CALL DISMISSED
- News
ABC: Indigenous youth justice summit call dismissed
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-11/elferink-on-mundine-indigenous-youth-summit-call/4461082
11 Jan 13: “Northern Territory Attorney-General John
Elferink has dismissed calls from a prominent national
Indigenous leader to tackle soaring incarceration levels of
Aboriginal youth. Warren Mundine, who heads up the
Generation One Indigenous employment initiative, says more
diversionary programs and resources are needed to keep
young people out of jail. He is calling for a national
summit on Aboriginal justice issues. Mr Mundine has accused
state, territory and federal governments of creating a
so-called Indigenous prison industry. Mr Elferink says it
is not the Territory Government’s responsibility.”
By Melanie Arnost
* BACKGROUND TO ABORIGINAL IMPRISONMENT AND DEATHS IN CUSTODY:
Last updated: 9 January 2013
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/12/17/background-to-aboriginal-imprisonment-and-deaths-in-custody
* NIRS:
GOVERNMENT ‘DOESN’T WANT TO HEAR BAD NEWS ABOUT INCOME MANAGEMENT’
- News
National Indigenous Radio Service:
Government ‘doesn’t want to hear bad news about income management’
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7729-government-doesnt-want-to-hear-bad-news-about-income-management
9 Jan 13: “A senior researcher of Indigenous policy says the
Federal Government is ignoring reports about the failure of
income management in Northern Territory Indigenous
communities. The University of Technology, Sydney’s Eva Cox
says the scheme doesn’t improve the well-being of Aboriginal
people in the NT. She also says the system is financially
unviable, costing $80 a week per person in administration.
Ms. Cox says research conducted by a number of organisations
has shown no positive effects of income management, but the
Government is looking the other way.”
See:
About the National Indigenous Radio Service
http://www.nirs.org.au/about-us
“The National Indigenous Radio Service Limited (NIRS) is a
national service provided from a hub station residing in
Brisbane. It networks material for Indigenous media
organisations that don’t have the staffing or capital
requirements to provide a 24-hour high quality broadcast to
their audience.”
* BACKGROUND TO ‘STRONGER FUTURES’ NEW NT INTERVENTION LAWS:
Last updated: 30 December 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: 30 December 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-northern-territory-nt-intervention
* SOVEREIGN UNION: SOVEREIGN UNION AND OUR POLITICAL FUTURE
- Analysis / Opinion
Sovereign Union: Sovereign Union and Our Political Future
http://nationalunitygovernment.org/content/sovereign-union-and-our-political-future-0
“Sovereign Union of First Nations and Peoples in Australia
The survival of our Mother Earth and our very right to exist
is what we have to defend. …
The Sovereign Union is an organisation that does not accept
the right of the existing pseudo-government of Australia to
rule over the rights of our Peoples. We have to understand
that there are a number of International Court of Justice
decisions that clearly state that Sovereignty remains with
the People. (Western Sahara Case and others) The
international objectives of the Sovereign Union are to have
our Peoples recognised as ‘Peoples’ under the international
legal definition. By campaigning to have this recognised we,
as First Nations Peoples, have the international right as
independent Peoples to assert the right of
self-determination under international law.”
See:
About ‘Sovereign Union’
http://nationalunitygovernment.org/node/3
“This is the official website of the Sovereign Union of
First Nations and Peoples in Australia. The Sovereign Union
was first formed at a meeting on 12-14 June 1999 on Mt
Kaputar, near Narrabri, NSW. A delegation was sent to
Geneva to the UN Working Group of the Commission on Human
Rights to take our sovereign voices to the international
community. The Sovereign Union was further formalised with
a Foundation Meeting of the ‘Sovereign Union – interim
Unity Government’ at the Kuradji Tent Embassy, near
Wollongong, New South Wales on May 25 2012.”
* BACKGROUND TO THE ABORIGINAL SOVEREIGNTY MOVEMENT:
Last updated: 4 January 2013
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-aboriginal-sovereignty-movement-and-the-aboriginal-tent-embassies
* JOSEPH TOSCANO, ANARCHIST WORLD 3CR:
TUNNERMINNERWAIT AND MAULBOYHEENER – FREEDOM FIGHTERS EXECUTION
- Audio
3CR Community Radio 855 AM – Podcasts
Anarchist World – 9 Jan 2013
[scroll down page] http://www.3cr.org.au/podcast
[download this program] http://pod.3cr.org.au/pod/3CRCast-2013-01-08-69660.mp3
9 Jan 13: “Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheener- freeedom fighters execution,
the earth, direct action and more”
- Event
Event: Sun 20 January 2013: Melbourne, Vic
Commemorating the Freedom Fighters
Tunnerminnerwait & Maulboyheener
Please bring flowers
Lest We Forget
Event details: http://nationalunitygovernment.org/images/2013/gatherings/freedom-fighters.jpg
See:
Who we are – 3CR Community Radio 855 AM
http://www.3cr.org.au/about_3CR
“The radio station was established in 1976 to provide
a voice for those denied access to the mass media,
particularly the working class, women, Indigenous people
and the many community groups and community issues
discriminated against in and by the mass media.”
* NIRS:
PARTIES MUST DETAIL INDIGENOUS POLICIES BEFORE ELECTION: CONGRESS
- News
National Indigenous Radio Service:
Parties must detail Indigenous policies before election: Congress
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7724-parties-must-detail-indigenous-policies-before-election-congress
8 Jan 13: “The National Congress of Australia’s First
Peoples says the major political parties must clarify their
positions on Indigenous self-determination before this
year’s Federal election. Congress co-chair Lez Malezer says
2013 will be an important year for Indigenous Australians,
with elections to be held for both the Congress itself and
the Federal Government. … “We will want to know what the
position of the parties is in relation to Congress and
particularly about self-determination and decision-making
about Aboriginal people.”"
See:
About the National Indigenous Radio Service
http://www.nirs.org.au/about-us
“The National Indigenous Radio Service Limited (NIRS) is a
national service provided from a hub station residing in
Brisbane. It networks material for Indigenous media
organisations that don’t have the staffing or capital
requirements to provide a 24-hour high quality broadcast to
their audience.”
* 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
* NIRS: ILLAWARRA LALC SLAMS STATE BODY ON MINING PLANS
- News
National Indigenous Radio Service:
Illawarra LALC slams state body on mining plans
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7727-illawarra-lalc-slams-state-body-on-mining-plans
9 Jan 13: “The chair of the Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land
Council in New South Wales has described the state’s peak
land council as going ‘rogue’ on the issue of mining
industry involvement. The New South Wales Aboriginal Land
Council is in the process of getting more involved in
mining, particularly the coal seam gas, uranium and coal
industries. Roy ‘Dootch’ Kennedy from the Illawarra council
is concerned about potential environmental impacts of
mining in his region and says the issue must be discussed.
… The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council says it
does plan to consult with local councils on the issue.”
See:
About the National Indigenous Radio Service
http://www.nirs.org.au/about-us
“The National Indigenous Radio Service Limited (NIRS) is a
national service provided from a hub station residing in
Brisbane. It networks material for Indigenous media
organisations that don’t have the staffing or capital
requirements to provide a 24-hour high quality broadcast to
their audience.”
- Related News
Koori Mail: Gas protest planned
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
9 Jan 13: “NSW Aboriginal Land Council CEO Geoff Scott is
unfazed by the threat of an anti-coal seam gas protest
outside his Parramatta office. NSWALC has applied for
petroleum exploration licences across much of the state,
sparking Aboriginal activist Roy ‘Dootch’ Kennedy to plan a
protest for 25 January. Mr Scott confirmed that NSWALC had
also taken the initial steps to apply for a uranium
exploration licence, saying the land council would not be
digging an open-cut mine but was exploring ways of putting
money in Aboriginal hands.”
* OTHER ARTICLES:
- News
National Indigenous Radio Service:
Demand for language preservation funding ‘not being met’
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7723-demand-for-language-preservation-funding-not-being-met
8 Jan 13: “An Aboriginal language preservation worker from
northern New South Wales says governments haven’t matched
the demand for funding for language projects. Gary Williams
from the Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture
Cooperative says his group works to protect and revitalise
a number of languages, including Bundjalung and
Gumbayngirr. Mr. Williams says while more people are
getting involved language programs, financial support is
hard to come by.”
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
What about our heritage?
http://caama.com.au/what-about-our-heritage
9 Jan 13: “Michael Mansell, respected Aboriginal human
rights campaigner in Tasmania has expressed his
disappointment at the mainstream media’s failure to report
on the affects the bush fires have had on state’s
Aboriginal heritage. The Tasmanian bushfires and their
devastating effects on the state’s residents have been
largely reported on in the Australian media…but Michael
Mansell says of all the media reports on the bush fires, he
has not heard a word of mention of the fires affects on
Aboriginal people and Aboriginal heritage.”
- Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
http://caama.com.au/radio#tabs-6
http://caama.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/am-8.1.13-updated.mp3
8 Jan 13: “An Aboriginal human rights campaigner in
Tasmania has expressed his dissappointement at the
mainstream media’s failure to report on the affects the
bushfires have had on state’s Aboriginal heritage.”
- Analysis / Opinion
Crikey: Aboriginal leaders must inspire the nation to recognise
http://www.crikey.com.au/2013/01/09/aboriginal-leaders-must-inspire-the-nation-to-recognise/
9 Jan 13: “The campaign to have Aboriginal Australians
recognised in the constitution has stalled. Leaders must
tap into the culture to inspire a nation to say “yes”, says
former ministerial adviser Rita Markwell. With Australians
unlikely to vote on any constitutional change to recognise
Australia’s first peoples until at least 2015, campaigners
need to take greater control of the issue and its destiny.
For indigenous leaders it’s probably the greatest test of
leadership since the native title negotiations over two
decades ago. They need to campaign, inspire and
alliance-build in a hazardous environment, where … “
Rita Markwell
