* The Stringer:
International Prisoners Justice Day highlights
Australia’s horrific incarceration rates of Aboriginal peoples
* Background to Aboriginal imprisonment and Deaths in Custody
* Dr Alice Clark, The Stringer:
Housing and homelessness issues for Aboriginal and Islander
Peoples living in South Australia
* The Stringer:
One of Australia’s worst massacres
– 150 Yaburara men, women and children slaughtered
* Paddy Gibson, Solidarity Online:
“Captain’s pick” Nova Peris will make NT Labor’s problems worse
* The Stringer:
“Nothing to live for,” said Stolen Generations father
* Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer:
4 years on the Bellottis still wait for compensation and answers
* THE STRINGER:
INTERNATIONAL PRISONERS JUSTICE DAY HIGHLIGHTS
AUSTRALIA’S HORRIFIC INCARCERATION RATES OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLES
– News
The Stringer:
International Prisoners Justice Day highlights
Australia’s horrific incarceration rates of Aboriginal peoples
19 Feb 13: “The maltreatment and abuse of prisoners, and
the high incarceration rates of particular cultures,
especially Indigenous cultures, is a world-wide phenomena,
according to social researcher and academic Dr Brian
Steels, however no peoples have endured worse
disproportionate incarceration rates than Australia’s
Aboriginal peoples. The Aboriginal peoples of the
Northern Territory and Western Australia are the world’s
most incarcerated peoples, and they will be at the
forefront of discussions and remembrance around the
world on International Prisoners Justice Day on August 10.”
“Independent News, Investigative Journalism,
Multi Award winning writers
The Stringer went live on February 19 and will be formally
launched on February 25 at The Media at the Crossroads
Conference at NSW Parliament’s Theatrette. Independent news
media contributes to the unfolding landscape of human
rights and social justice. It is our aim to provide every
opportunity to the rise of voices that far too often are
denied. … Kind Regards from The Stringer editors
– Gerry Georgatos and Jennifer Kaeshagen.”
* BACKGROUND TO ABORIGINAL IMPRISONMENT AND DEATHS IN CUSTODY:
22 Feb 13: “Safe, affordable and culturally appropriate
housing is particularly difficult to attain for many
Aboriginal and Islander Peoples living in South Australia.
The majority of publicly owned housing is built to
accommodate small nuclear families consisting of mum, dad
and two kids, rather than catering for the extended family
groups and visitors that are an everyday part of life for
Aboriginal and Islander Peoples. When there are no
alternative housing options, Aboriginal and Islander
Peoples can find themselves without adequate space in
their homes and experience heavy drains on their financial
and material resources.” By Dr Alice Clark
* THE STRINGER:
ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S WORST MASSACRES
– 150 YABURARA MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN SLAUGHTERED
– News
The Stringer:
One of Australia’s worst massacres
– 150 Yaburara men, women and children slaughtered
22 Feb 13: “For the first time in 145 years, black and
white Australians have jointly organised the first
national commemoration day of one of Australia’s largest
massacres – the Flying Foam Massacre. The remembrance of
the massacre nearly a century and a half later commenced at
dawn on Sunday 17 February. It was not only remembered in
the north west of Australia but also in every major city
in the nation. … Custodian of the Country where his
ancestors were nearly wiped out, Senior Law Boss and
Elder Wilfred Hicks said women and children were murdered
by the colonialists “by gunshot.” He called it “genocide.””
– Event
Event: Sun 17 February 2013: West Perth, WA
Flying Foam Massacre Remembrance Day
“In memory of the 17 February 1868
Flying Foam Massacre of the Yaburara people
of the Burrup, there will be a Stand Up for
the Burrup photo-shoot action at the the
WA Parliament House … ”
Event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/53248
* PADDY GIBSON, SOLIDARITY ONLINE:
“CAPTAIN’S PICK” NOVA PERIS WILL MAKE NT LABOR’S PROBLEMS WORSE
– Analysis / Opinion
Solidarity Online:
“Captain’s pick” Nova Peris will make NT Labor’s problems worse
February 2013: “Prime Minister Julia Gillard has appointed
Indigenous former-Olympian Nova Peris as the lead
candidate on the Labor Party’s Northern Territory (NT)
Senate ticket for the September federal election. …
This so-called “captain’s pick”, however, is cynical
tokenism that will only add to Labor’s crisis. This turn
to celebrity rides rough-shod over the local committed
Labor members and branches and has increased the
disillusionment with Labor. Labor leaders’ use of “star
power” candidates like Peter Garrett, Maxine McKew and
now Peris, is part of the general, long-term
deterioration of Labor, desperate to find ways to try
to maintain votes as it slides in the polls but remains
determined to continue along its right-wing policy
trajectory.” Paddy Gibson
See:
WGAR News: NT leader: Nova Peris is wrong,
Stronger Futures must go: STICS (4 Feb 13)
15 Feb 13: “Elderly Noongar couple Donald and Sylvia
Collard are fighting for a slice of justice in the Supreme
Court Stolen Generations test case. The case is underway
with the Western Australian State Government defending
itself in that “it was the right thing to remove the
children.” Mr Collard said that when his children were
taken from “a good family” he did not know what to do or
what to live for. Mr Collard told the Court he felt numb,
sick inside and unable to breathe when his children were
removed … ”
22 Feb 13: “Rex Bellotti Jr. – 15 years old at the time,
was struck by a police vehicle on Lower King Road, Albany
– it was shy of midnight as he was walking home from an
Aboriginal Wake on March 6, 2009. Four years later his
family are still waiting for answers and compensation
– for help with his ongoing medical care. The WA Police
Commission is still to come to terms with a commitment to
100 per cent responsibility, offering through their
insurers 70 per cent liability in regards to an insurance
claim payout.” By Gerry Georgatos
– Event
Event: 6 March 2013: Sydney, NSW
Part of the National Day of Action for
Justice for Rex Bellotti in Perth, WA
Rally outside office of Police Integrity Commission (PIC) NSW
Organised by Indigenous Social Justice Association – Sydney (ISJA)
Event details: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Redfern-Waterloo/message/7099
* arena: Opportunity Lost by Boris Frankel:
Marcia Langton’s Boyer Lectures
* Andrew Crook, Crikey:
Marcia Langton defends non-disclosure on mining cash before Boyers
* ABC Radio National: 2012 Boyer Lectures
* NIT: Native Title win
* Background to the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC)
* The Wire:
Little steps towards closing the gap in tertiary education
* The Wire: Taking books out bush
* ARENA:
OPPORTUNITY LOST BY BORIS FRANKEL
– MARCIA LANGTON’S BOYER LECTURES
– Analysis / Opinion
arena: Opportunity Lost by Boris Frankel
– Marcia Langton’s Boyer Lectures
February 2013: “It is possible that Langton’s five lectures
will rank as a particularly shameful episode in the ABC’s
history. For five weeks, audiences were subjected to the
kind of vitriol and empirically unfounded claims against
the Left and environmentalists usually confined to Andrew
Bolt’s columns or Alan Jones’ broadcasts. Where was the
so-called ‘balance’ that ABC management invokes usually to
placate the Right, but never the Left?” By Boris Frankel
* ANDREW CROOK, CRIKEY:
MARCIA LANGTON DEFENDS NON-DISCLOSURE ON MINING CASH BEFORE BOYERS
– Analysis / Opinion
Crikey:
Marcia Langton defends non-disclosure on mining cash before Boyers
22 Feb 13: “The academic background to last year’s Boyer
Lectures was funded by global miners Rio Tinto and
Woodside. But the audience was none the wiser. Should she
and the ABC have disclosed? Indigenous leader Marcia
Langton and the ABC have defended a lack of disclosure
over last year’s Boyer Lectures, despite tens of thousands
of dollars in cash for Langton’s academic research being
sourced from resources giants Rio Tinto, Woodside and
Santos. The series of five Boyers, titled “The Quiet
Revolution: Indigenous People and the Resources Boom”, … ”
Andrew Crook
* ABC RADIO NATIONAL: 2012 BOYER LECTURES
– Analysis / Opinion
ABC Radio National: 2012 Boyer Lectures
The Quiet Revolution: Indigenous People and the Resources Boom
2012: “The 53rd Boyer Lectures will be presented by
Professor Marcia Langton AM, Chair of Australian Indigenous
Studies at The University of Melbourne. The lectures’
subject will be The Quiet Revolution: Indigenous People and
the Resources Boom. Prof Langton will look at the
dependency of Aboriginal businesses and not-for-profit
corporations on the resources industry and their resultant
vulnerability to economic downturns.”
23 Feb 13: “The Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC)
are the federally prescribed body (2005) authorised to
negotiate with mining companies over Yindjibarndi Country.
Last week, Federal Court Justice Neil Kerracher ruled in
favour of YAC’s application for a new suite of Native Title
claimants. This follows the long endurance of failed
negotiations between mining giant Fortescue Metals Group
(FMG) and the Yindjibarndi. The new claimants will speak
for a claim area which includes the vacant Crown land where
Fortescue Metals Group is developing the Firetail mine
site.”
* BACKGROUND TO THE YINDJIBARNDI ABORIGINAL CORPORATION (YAC):
22 Feb 13: “An organisation is helping to close the gap in
a very real way. With a tiny budget and some very dedicated
staff, they are giving indigenous kids the opportunity to
pursue tertiary education. The Mary MacKillop Foundation is
working towards closing the gap between indigenous and
non-indigenous university students. The Foundation has
funded more than 460 life-changing projects since 1995, and
their indigenous scholarships program funded 10 new
graduates last year. …
Featured in story:
Sam Hardjono – CEO,Mary MacKillop Foundation”
* THE WIRE: TAKING BOOKS OUT BUSH
– Audio Interview
The Wire: Taking books out bush
Produced by Graham Backhaus
22 Feb 13: “An innovative program organised by the
Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is providing
experience with books for very young children in remote
indigenous communities. Book Buzz provides kits of quality
and culturally appropriate books selected in consultation
with the community in which they are to be placed. The
Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) aims to raise literacy
levels and improve the lives and opportunities of
Indigenous children living in remote and isolated regions.
…
Featured in story:
Tina Raye – Program Manager, Indigenous Literacy Foundation”
Event: 14 – 24 February 2013: Fitzroy, Melbourne, Vic
Jacky Green: Flow of Voices
Paintings from the Gulf of Carpentaria
With photographs and videos by Jessie Boylan
Opening: Thu 14th February 2013
Opened by Jacky Green, Prof. Jon Altman and Dr Sean Kerins
Centre For Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, ANU
“I want the government and mining companies to
know that we are still here. We aren’t going anywhere.
We aren’t dead yet. We are still here, feeling the country.”
Event details: http://www.arena.org.au/2013/01/jacky-green-flow-of-voices/
Event: 26 February to 3 March 2013:
South Bank Parklands, Brisbane, Qld
Clancestry
“Clancestry is a festival celebrating the arts and
cultural practices of the world’s First Nation’s
Peoples. The festival draws on rich spiritual
culture and provides a space to connect with
other clan groups across the country and the
globe. In presenting performances, workshops,
free events and conversations the festival
moves beyond transactional contact into
deeper relationships between all peoples.”
Festival includes:
* 26 – 28 February 2013: Clancestry Conversations
* Sat 2 March 2013: Black Arm Band’s dirtsong
Event details: http://www.qpac.com.au/event/Clancestry_13.aspx
Event details: [scroll down page] http://antarqld.org.au/node/213
Event details: [scroll down page] http://www.989fm.com.au/events/
Event: 27 February 2013: State Library, South Brisbane, Qld
Deepen the Conversation: A Burning Landscape
“The Biggest Estate on Earth.
Historian Bill Gammage explodes the myth that
pre-European settlement Australia was an
untamed wilderness, revealing the complex,
country-wide systems of land management
used by Aboriginal people.”
Event details: [scroll down page] http://antarqld.org.au/node/213
Event details: http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/whats-on/calevents/general/talks/deepen/burning-landscape
Event: Fri 1 March 2013: Adelaide, SA
146th Justice and Peace Candle Light Walk
around Government House
Gather at dusk on the first Friday of the month
(except January and February)
“Join us on the Candle Light Walk to
call for a Treaty and Bill of Rights, and
to support the Ngarrindjeri and all other
Aboriginal people and the Stolen Generations,
their families and communities left behind,
in their call for Peace and Justice.”
Event details: http://antarsa.auspics.org.au/
Background to the Candle Light Walk: http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rmclc/CandleLightWalkHistory.htm
Event: Thu 7 March 2013: Brunswick, Melbourne, Vic
Next Meeting:
Indigenous Social Justice Association – Melbourne:
Event: Mon 11 March 2013: Mona Vale, Sydney, NSW
Information night: Guest Speaker:
Shane Phillips (CEO of Tribal Warrior)
Hosted by Aboriginal Support Group
– Manly Warringah Pittwater (ASG):
“Australia’s 2013 Local Hero Explains the
Tribal Warrior Mentor Program;
An initiative that focuses on simple life skills,
teaching & mentoring.”
“”We target young offenders who have been
referred to us by Police & Juvenile justice
with the aim of getting them ready for
work and gearing them to stay focused
on their own personal situation””
Event details: http://www.asgmwp.net/Calendar.htm
Event details: http://www.asgmwp.net/index.htm
Event details: http://www.asgmwp.net/TribalWarrior.pdf
Event: Sat 16 March 2013: Cherbourg, Qld
Ration Shed Tour
“When our Elders were moved off the land and
taken to Cherbourg they were cut off from their
traditional sources of food and were given
weekly rations of mainly flour, sugar, tea, sago,
rice, split peas and meat. The rations were
given from a wooden shed which we have
restored and call The Ration Shed Museum.
We use the Ration Shed as a space to tell our stories.”
Event details: [scroll down page] http://antarqld.org.au/node/213
Event details: http://rationshed.com.au/
Event: Mon 18 March 2013: Qld
Annual ANTaR Qld
Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health Award
“We are happy to announce that the
Annual ANTaR Qld Closing the Gap in Indigenous
Health Award will continue to be hosted with a
Parliamentary sponsor and will continue to highlight
the wonderful success stories in health from around
our State.”
“In negotiation with the new Government and Minister Elmes,
the Award ceremony has been rescheduled to
coincide with National Close the Gap Day in March 2013.
Details will be sent out closer to the date.”
Event summary: http://antarqld.org.au/node/207
Event details: http://antarqld.org.au/
Event: 20 March 2013: Parliament House, Canberra
International Day for the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination Panel
“21 March is the International Day for the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination. To commemorate this day the
Australian Human Rights Commission, in partnership
with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship
and the UN Information Centre for Australia,
New Zealand and the South Pacific, will hold a
high-level event at Parliament House in support
of the National Anti-Racism Strategy and the
‘Racism. It Stops with Me’ campaign.”
Event details: [scroll down page] http://www.humanrights.gov.au/about/events/index.html
Event: 21 March 2013: various locations internationally
UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
“Racism continues to cause suffering for millions of
people around the world…. I look to all people to join
the United Nations in our drive to eliminate racism.
We must, individually and collectively,
stamp out racism, stigma and prejudice.”
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Event details: http://www.un.org/en/events/racialdiscriminationday/
Event details: http://www.un.org/en/events/
Event: Fri 11 January until Sun 24 March 2013: Footscray, Melbourne, Vic
Reflect Exhibition
Koorie Space – Footscray Community Arts Centre
Opening: Fri 11 January
Reflect Floor-talk Sat 12 January: http://footscrayarts.com/1/wominjeka-2013-floor-talks/
“The capacity for art to enable people to reconnect
with their cultural heritage and to assist in their
recovery is central to my philosophy of the
power of art to heal and inspire people to
positively identify with their Aboriginality.” Maree Clarke
Event details: http://footscrayarts.com/access-blog-event/reflect/
Event details: http://footscrayarts.com/koorie-space/upcoming-events/
Event: Fri 5 April 2013: Adelaide, SA
147th Justice and Peace Candle Light Walk
around Government House
Gather at dusk on the first Friday of the month
(except January and February)
“Join us on the Candle Light Walk to
call for a Treaty and Bill of Rights, and
to support the Ngarrindjeri and all other
Aboriginal people and the Stolen Generations,
their families and communities left behind,
in their call for Peace and Justice.”
Event details: http://antarsa.auspics.org.au/
Background to the Candle Light Walk: http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rmclc/CandleLightWalkHistory.htm
Event: 30 Sep 2012 – 19 April 2013: Qld
State of Emergency Exhibition
“During the Commonwealth Games in 1982,
Brisbane came alive with political demonstrations for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander civil liberties
and land rights. This incredible exhibition allows you to
relive and reflect on this politically significant time
through original footage and photographs, and
personal stories from the advocates of this
revolutionary movement.”
Event details: [scroll down page] http://antarqld.org.au/node/213
Commonwealth Games Demonstrations- Brisbane 1982: http://www.kooriweb.org/foley/images/history/1980s/82games/gamesppdx.html
Event: Sat 16 February – Sun 21 April 2013: Adelaide, SA
Exhibition: Good Strong Powerful
“In partnership with Arts Access Darwin,
this touring exhibition will showcase the extraordinary
works that have been produced through Art Centres
in the Northern Territory by established and
emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities.”
“The exhibition includes artists from
Ngaruwanajirri on Bathurst (Tiwi) Island,
Mwerre Anthurre Artists, based at Bindi Inc. in Alice Springs
and Julalikari Arts in Tennant Creek.”
“It is envisioned that this exhibition will work towards
raising the profile of artists who too often are
placed into a narrow ‘art therapy’ model,
yet their practice is often groundbreaking.”
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/sa/event/31037/
Event: Fri 3 May 2013: Adelaide, SA
148th Justice and Peace Candle Light Walk
around Government House
Gather at dusk on the first Friday of the month
(except January and February)
“Join us on the Candle Light Walk to
call for a Treaty and Bill of Rights, and
to support the Ngarrindjeri and all other
Aboriginal people and the Stolen Generations,
their families and communities left behind,
in their call for Peace and Justice.”
Event details: http://antarsa.auspics.org.au/
Background to the Candle Light Walk: http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rmclc/CandleLightWalkHistory.htm
Event: 3 – 5 June 2013: Alice Springs, NT
National Native Title Conference 2013:
Shaping the Future
This year’s themes include,
The Native Title Act 20 years on and where to from here?
“The Native Title Research Unit co-hosts the
Annual National Native Title Conference.
The conference is co-hosted by a native title
representative body (NTRB) and permission is sought
from local traditional owners to hold the
conference in their country.”
“The conference engages with native title as
an active agenda for justice for people and country
– both before and after the outcome of native title
determination, and within the broader compass
of traditional ownership.”
Event details: http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/ntru/ntc13.html
Event summary: [scroll down page] http://www.humanrights.gov.au/about/events/index.html
WGAR Background to Mabo and Native Title: http://indymedia.org.au/2012/07/02/background-to-mabo-and-native-title
Event: 4 to 6 June 2013: Cairns, Qld
SNAICC’s Fifth National Conference
For Our Children: Living and Learning Together
Organised by SNAICC:
Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care
Keynote Speakers:
* Marta Maurás Perez (Chile)
* Cindy Blackstock (Canada)
* Assoc. Prof. Cynthia Kiro (New Zealand) – of Maori descent
* Prof. Judy Atkinson – a Jiman and Bundjalung woman
* Kathy Guthadjaka (Gotha) – a Gatjirrk Warramiri woman
living at Gawa (north-east Arnhem Land)
“The SNAICC National Conference is the largest
conference of its type in the southern hemisphere
and provides the opportunity for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander organisations, policy makers,
researchers, government representatives, other
non-government organisations and industry
representatives to gather and make renewed
commitments to Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander children.”
Keynote Speakers: http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/fx-view-article.cfm?loadref=32&id=931
Event details: http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/dsp-default.cfm?loadref=67
Event details: http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/fx-view-article.cfm?loadref=32&id=965
Event: Sat 6 July to Sun 14 July 2013:
North of Broome on the Dampier Peninsula, Kimberley, WA
The Lurujarri Dreaming Trail
Walk the Trail with us in 2013
“In 1987, Paddy Roe initiated the Lurujarri Heritage
Trail as a trigger to encourage the members of the
Goolarabooloo community to be walking the Country
again, as had always been done; to conserve;
renew and stay connected with their heritage and
traditional skills and to keep the same alive for
generations to come. He also sought to wake up
non-Aboriginal people to a relationship with the land;
to foster trust; friendship and empathy between the
indigenous community and the wider Australian
and International communities.”
Event details: http://www.goolarabooloo.org.au/lurujarri.html
Event details: http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/lurujarri-heritage-walking-trail-kimberley.htm
WGAR Background to the Walmadan Tent Embassy, WA: http://indymedia.org.au/2013/01/02/walmadan-tent-embassy-james-price-point-north-of-broome-kimberley-region-wa
Event: 7 to 14 July 2013: various locations in Australia
National NAIDOC Week
The focus city for National NAIDOC celebrations is Perth
Event details: http://www.naidoc.org.au/
20 Feb 13: “Euahlayi elder Michael Anderson questions the
wording and intent of the Act of Recognition. The Euahlayi
elder and Convenor of the Sovereign Union of First Nations
and Peoples in Australia says the wording of the Act of
Recognition is of serious concern. Mr Anderson says, while
people support the intent of change, no-one has dealt with
the particular wording used, and the implications of that,
in the future. He’s speaking with Michelle Lovegrove.”
– Related Audio Interview
SBS Living Black:
Voices on Consitutional Reform – Jackie Huggins
By Michelle Lovegrove
20 Feb 13: “Bidjara elder Jackie Huggins says it’s time to
be recognised. Bidjara elder, academic and human rights
campaigner Doctor Jackie Huggins says for her, there is no
question about the changes needed in the Australian
Constitution. Doctor Huggins has become a spokesperson for
Recongise, the organisation tasked with bringing the issue
of Consitutional Reform, to the Australian public. She
tells Michelle Lovegrove, the Act of Recognition is just
the beginning of two years of very hard work.”
See:
WGAR News: Sovereign Union serves the Crown with
formal objection to the Act of Recognition (15 Feb 13)
20 Feb 13: “NIRS/Bumma Bippera Media: Noongar rights
campaigners say a gathering will be held outside the Hakea
Prison in Perth on Friday against the alleged detention of
juvenile Aboriginal people in the adult jail. Spokesperson
Marianne McKay says nearly 100 underage boys are locked up
in the prison despite efforts to get them out, including
emailing the WA Premier Colin Barnett. Ms. McKay told
Bumma Bippera Media the young detainees have also
complained about being mistreated in the prison.”
* BACKGROUND TO ABORIGINAL IMPRISONMENT AND DEATHS IN CUSTODY:
20 Feb 13: “Government goodwill, empty pocketc. Australia’s
largest national First Nations advocacy organisation for
children – SNAICC – has called on all governments to make
good their funding promises to Close The Gap. The
Secretariat for National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care
says that while community controlled services – have
played a central role in improving access to early
childhood education – their funding has remained stagnant
for many years. SNAICC CEO Frank Hytten says it is critical
that our early childhood services are recognised and
supported to meet the needs of families and communities in
raising healthy children. He tells Michelle Lovegrove,
despite obvious goodwill from government – funding is
stagnant and fast drying up.”
21 Feb 13: “A fifty million dollar Government investment to
create jobs for Aboriginal people in the Top Ends luxury
accommodation market has failed to deliver and less than
three years on not one Aboriginal or Islander Australian is
currently employed under the scheme.”
– News
Australian: Territory call to reform land rights mining veto
20 Feb 13: “THE Northern Territory government is demanding
reforms to a law giving Aborigines rights to their
traditional lands and allowing them to veto mining,
claiming that it is holding up vital exploration in the
resource-rich region. The Territory government says there
is a backlog of 815 applications by mining companies
wanting to explore on Aboriginal freehold land governed by
the 1976 federal Aboriginal Land Rights Act — almost half
the Territory — compared to 212 for non-Aboriginal areas.”
* The Wire: Newstart bad news for the income-managed
[Annie Hastwell interviews Barbara Shaw]
* ‘concerned Australians':
Murray Bridge launch of ‘A Decision to Discriminate’
* Background to ‘Stronger Futures’ new NT Intervention laws
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Let’s Talk’s Tiga Bayles interviews
Dr Norman Sheehan, a consultant with Link-Up
* Other articles
* THE WIRE: NEWSTART BAD NEWS FOR THE INCOME-MANAGED
[ANNIE HASTWELL INTERVIEWS BARBARA SHAW]:
– Audio Interview
The Wire: Newstart bad news for the income-managed
Produced by Annie Hastwell
21 Feb 13: “Newstart allowance changes aren’t popular with
single mums generally but it’s evn worse for Aboriginal
single mums in the NT. Income management already reduces
their payments. The changes to Newstart reduce them even
further.
Featured in story: Barbara Shaw, Alice Springs single mother”
* ‘CONCERNED AUSTRALIANS':
MURRAY BRIDGE LAUNCH OF ‘A DECISION TO DISCRIMINATE’
“Ngoppon Together Inc., the Murray Bridge SA Reconciliation
Group incorporated the local launch … Uncle Marshall
Carter Ngarrindjeri Elder launched ‘A Decision to Discriminate
… to a packed roomful of people – Aboriginal and non-
Aboriginal – at Ninkowar on November 16, 2012. … In his
presentation, Uncle Marshall noted in particular the
paragraph from the Introduction:
The blanket measures approach of one- size -fits- all has
resulted in the termination of many well designed and well
managed community owned programms. These are perhaps the
unintended consequences of decisions made far away and
without the input of local leaders.
This policy it was pointed out, continues to have a
devastating effect on communities elsewhere throughout
the nation.”
10 Dec 12: “Tiga Bayles interviews Dr Norman Sheehan
“Dr Norman Sheehan is a consultant with Link-Up
Speaking about Social Violence and Social Healing.
Also about the journey the Stolen Generation are on now.
Links:
22 Feb 13: “The federal government’s proposed reform of
anti-discrimination law needs substantial redrafting to
remove a number of flaws, a parliament committee has found.
Labor wants to consolidate five anti-discrimination
statutes into one single act, to fulfil a 2010 election
promise. The proposal affects age, disability, race, sex
and other forms of discrimination, including sexual
orientation and gender identity. But in a majority report,
Labor members of the legal and constitutional legislation
committee said the plan to make five statues simpler for
Australians to understand was not an easy one.”
newsTracker: Aborginal man did not assault police: cop
22 Feb 13: “A policeman who admits he wrongly accused an
Aboriginal man of assault says he and other officers shared
their accounts of the incident before he prepared his
official statement. The young officer said he was taught
the practice by his field training officer. Constable Luke
Mewing was giving evidence on Thursday before the Police
Integrity Commission (PIC) in Sydney, which is inquiring
into the arrest and prosecution of 24-year-old Corey
Barker.”
National Indigenous Radio Service:
Social Justice Commissioner wants people to speak up about
inadequate services
21 Feb 13: “The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Social Justice Commissioner is calling for Indigenous
Australians to speak up about discrimination in health and
other public services. Mick Gooda told 98.9fm there’ve been
numerous complaints made to the Australian Human Rights
Commission about discrimination against disability, gender
equality in the workplace and racial vilification. Mr Gooda
says Indigenous Australians must formalise complaints for
action to be taken against organisations providing
inadequate services.”
21 Feb 13: “AN INDIGENOUS investment group that bought a 50
per cent stake in two Darwin hotels in order to secure jobs
for Aboriginal people has no indigenous employees on the
books. Indigenous Business Australia (IBA), which is funded
by the Federal Government, invested $12.86 million in the
Medina Grand and Vibe hotels at the Darwin waterfront but
no indigenous people are employed.”
– Videos
SBS World News: NSW cop admits punch was never thrown
Source: AAP
21 Feb 13: “A police officer has admitted a young
Aboriginal man accused of assaulting police never threw a
punch, reversing his earlier claim. Constable Luke Mewing
took the witness stand on Thursday at the Police Integrity
Commission (PIC), which is looking into the alleged
assault of Corey Barker, 24, by five officers and
accusations that he assaulted one of them. Mr Barker was
charged with punching Senior Constable David Hill while in
custody at Ballina police station, on the NSW north coast,
in January 2011. “That evidence was just wrong, wasn’t it?”
… ”
SBS World News: Ballina cop ‘vowed to smash phone’, PIC hears
Source: Brooke Boney, NITV News
20 Feb 13: “The third day of the inquiry into the alleged
bashing of an Indigenous man on the New South Wales north
coast continued, with Corey Barker being questioned. The
lawyers representing the policemen involved in the
altercation cross-examined Mr Barker for most of the day.
Brett Eurell, the lawyer for Constable Mewings, questioned
Corey Barker about his previous drug use and temper.
Footage was shown to display what Mr Barker is capable of
when he gets angry.”
22 Feb 13: “The Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs has
flagged changes to funding for programs for Aboriginal and
Islander Australians under a coalition government claiming
that Labor is wasting too much money.”
* Alexandra Payne-Baggs, Green Left:
March demands justice for TJ Hickey
* NIRS: Prison only a temporary solution: WA group
* SBS Audio Radionews:
Fighting to reduce young Indigenous imprisonment
* NITV News: Man allegedly bashed by NSW police testifies
* SBS World News Video: NSW police accused of bashing cover-up
* Tracker: Cops taunted Aboriginal man: PIC
* ABC Indigenous: Police taunted bashed man’s mother, inquiry told
* Background to Aboriginal imprisonment and Deaths in Custody
18 Feb 13: “Protesters gathered in Redfern on February 14,
to mark the ninth anniversary of the death of the
17-year-old Aboriginal youth TJ Hickey and repeat the call
for an inquest into his death. In 2005, police pursued
Hickey causing him be thrown off his bike and land on a
spiked fence. His family say that instead of waiting for
the police rescue unit to arrive and provide the proper
medical attention that was needed, TJ was pulled off the
spikes and thrown forcefully onto the concrete where he
bled heavily. When the rescue unit did arrive,
then-constable Michael Hollingsworth sent them away.”
By Alexandra Payne-Baggs
20 Feb 13: “The Deputy-Chair of the Western Australia
branch of the Deaths in Custody Committee says he’s not
surprised to hear comments made by a Northern Territory MP
that prison may be a good solution for some Aboriginal
people. … Marc Newhouse says it’s probably true to say
when someone is in prison they may stop taking drugs and
stop drinking, but it’s only a very temporary solution.
“Prisons do not rehabilitate. “Prisons do very little in
terms of addressing the root causes of offending
behaviour. “It is a sad indictment that [Bess Price] has
the view that prison can be a good thing. … “”
– Related News
ABC: MP says jail is good for young Aboriginal people
15 Feb 13: “A Northern Territory Government politician says
some Aboriginal people support imprisonment because jail
gets the younger generations sober, fed and keeps them
safe. Overnight, the Legislative Assembly passed amendments
to the NT Sentencing Act, allowing for mandatory sentencing
of violent offenders. Labor opposed the bill and raised
concerns it would continue to see Indigenous people locked
up at an alarming rate. The member for Stuart, Bess Price,
told Parliament Labor did nothing to address the matter
when it was in power, and argued that incarceration had
some benefits.” By Penny Timms
ABC: Lawyers disappointed by Bess Price prison comments
18 Feb 13: “The Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid
Service says comments from a local MP undermine work to
divert people from prison. The Member for Stuart, Bess
Price, told Parliament that some Aboriginal people like
prison because it helps them get sober and stay fed. But
CAALAS Principal Lawyer, Mark O’Reilly says Indigenous
incarceration rates in the Territory are a disgrace and the
government should be doing everything in its power to keep
people out of prison. “There are a lot of organisations
around that are doing a lot of good work to try and support
people in the community and improve conditions,” he said.”
By Anthony Stewart
* SBS AUDIO RADIONEWS:
FIGHTING TO REDUCE YOUNG INDIGENOUS IMPRISONMENT
– Audio
SBS Radionews Podcasts:
Fighting to reduce young Indigenous imprisonment
By Ryan Emery
18 Feb 13: “Indigenous culture and peer mentoring are key
elements of a program to help reduce WA’s high rate of
Indigenous youth imprisonment. Western Australia has the
second highest level of incarceration rates for young
offenders after the Northern Territory. The majority are
Indigenous. So what’s being done about preventing
juveniles ending up in prison or returning back there?
Amid a state election campaign, with both sides pledging
to be tough on law and order, Ryan Emery takes a look.”
* NITV NEWS: MAN ALLEGEDLY BASHED BY NSW POLICE TESTIFIES
– Video
SBS World News:
Man allegedly bashed by NSW police testifies at inquiry
Source: Brooke Boney, NITV News
19 Feb 13: “Corey Barker, the young Indigenous man
allegedly bashed by police in Northern New South Wales,
has given evidence to the Police Integrity Commission. The
New South Wales inquiry into the alleged bashing of a
young Indigenous man continued today in the Police
Integrity Commission. Corey Barker from Ballina on the
state’s north coast took the stand to describe his
version of events in January 2011. CCTV footage from
inside Ballina Police Station shows a man on the ground
— Corey Barker. Today he told the inquiry the pain he
felt then was the worst in his whole time in custody.”
* SBS WORLD NEWS VIDEO: NSW POLICE ACCUSED OF BASHING COVER-UP
– Video
SBS World News: NSW police accused of bashing cover-up
18 Feb 13: “An inquiry into the alleged bashing of a young
Indigenous man at the hands of the police on the Mid North
Coast of New South Wales started today. Police bashed a
young Aboriginal man in custody and lied about their
actions after a violent confrontation with him and his
friends, an inquiry has heard. A Police Integrity
Commission (PIC) public hearing heard that Corey Barker
was arrested in Ballina in northern NSW in 2011 after
trying to intervene in an altercation between two of his
friends and the police.”
20 Feb 13: “NSW police accused of bashing a young
Aboriginal man in custody also taunted him by making a lewd
gesture behind his mother’s back when she came to the
police station, an inquiry has heard. The Police Integrity
Commission (PIC) in Sydney is looking at allegations the
officers beat Corey Barker while he was in custody and
later falsely accused him of assaulting them. Mr Barker,
24, was arrested in Ballina in northern NSW in 2011 after
he intervened in an altercation between police and two of
his friends.”
– Related News
newsTracker: Aboriginal man had police assault record: PIC
20 Feb 13: “NEW SOUTH WALES: A young Aboriginal man who was
allegedly bashed and falsely accused by police had
assaulted an officer less than a year before, a police
misconduct inquiry has been told. The Police Integrity
Commission (PIC) is looking at allegations that officers in
Ballina, on the NSW far north coast, bashed Corey Barker in
custody and later accused him of attacking them, after he
intervened in an altercation between police and two of his
friends in January 2011. He was serving a nine-month
suspended sentence for assaulting police at the time of
the incident.”
19 Feb 13: “A man who says he was bashed by police on the
New South Wales north coast has told an inquiry that
officers made sexually degrading gestures behind his
mother’s back. Corey Barker is being questioned at the
Police Integrity Commission (PIC), which is holding an
inquiry into his arrest and prosecution at Ballina in
January 2011. The 23-year-old Indigenous man was charged
with a string of offences, including assaulting police.
But last year a court dismissed the charges against him,
finding it was likely the officers who bashed him lied
about it under oath and colluded to have him jailed.”
20 Feb 13: “A Police Integrity Commission inquiry into the
arrest and prosecution of a 22 year old aboriginal man
charged with a string of offences, including assaulting
police has been told that the arresting officers made
sexually degrading gestures behind his mother’s back.”
* BACKGROUND TO ABORIGINAL IMPRISONMENT AND DEATHS IN CUSTODY:
18 Feb 13: “After months of, at times harrowing evidence,
Queensland’s royal commission-style inquiry into child
protection has revealed what is sees as the biggest
problems in the system. … Between five and 10 per cent of
Queensland’s children will be physically or emotionally
abused during their childhood. That’s just one of the
statistics that’s surfaced since the Queensland Child
Protection Commission of Inquiry began last July. Others
include a 90 per cent jump in the number of Aboriginal and
Torres Islander children in out-of-home care in the past
six years.”
* SOVEREIGN UNION:
REMEMBERING THE ‘FLYING FOAM MASSACRE’ AT BURRUP PENINSULAR, WA
– News
Sovereign Union:
Remembering the ‘Flying Foam Massacre’ at Burrup Peninsular, WA
“Sunday the 17th of February marked the 145th anniversary
of the Flying Foam Massacre on the Burrup Peninsular in
Northwest Western Australia, when it is estimated sixty
Yaburara children, women and men were murdered by colonial
gunshot. The massacre occurred after the spearing of a
police officer, Constable Griffis, who was believed to
have raped a Yaburara woman. Over the following months it
is estimated a total of 100-150 Yaburara were killed by
way of retribution. The Sunday commemoration was part of
the ongoing ‘Stand up for the Burrup’ campaign, … ”
– Event
Event: Sun 17 February 2013: West Perth, WA
Flying Foam Massacre Remembrance Day
“In memory of the 17 February 1868
Flying Foam Massacre of the Yaburara people
of the Burrup, there will be a Stand Up for
the Burrup photo-shoot action at the the
WA Parliament House … ”
Event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/53248
* ABC AUDIO: FLYING FOAM MASSACRE REMEMBRANCE DAY
– Audio
ABC North West WA: Flying Foam Massacre Rememberance Day
By Tangiora Hinaki
16 Feb 13: “In memory of the 1868 Flying Foam Massacre of
the Yaburara people of the Burrup, there will be a
Rememberance Day held on Sunday 17 February at Murujuga,
also known as the Burrup, in the Pilbara. … Audry Cosmos
is the project officer from the Yaburara and Mardudhunera
Aboriginal Corporation and would like people to research
what happened and make their own mind up about how they
feel. “It’s up to everyone to read and see how they feel
about it, it’s up to every individual”.”
– Event
Event: Sun 17 February 2013: West Perth, WA
Flying Foam Massacre Remembrance Day
“In memory of the 17 February 1868
Flying Foam Massacre of the Yaburara people
of the Burrup, there will be a Stand Up for
the Burrup photo-shoot action at the the
WA Parliament House … ”
Event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/53248
* ABC RADIO NATIONAL AUDIO: AWAYE!: BEAGLE BAY CHRONICLES
– Audio
ABC Radio National: Awaye!: Beagle Bay Chronicles
Presented by Daniel Browning
15 Feb 13: “Beagle Bay is part of the Dampier Peninsula in
Western Australia. Local Indigenous elders took part in a
cultural exchange with young performers from Melbourne for
Beagle Bay Chronicles. The collaboration culminating in a
moving performance in the remote community late last year.”
* Blackett, Western Sydney launch of the book:
‘A Decision to Discriminate’
* New ‘A Decision to Discriminate’ book review
* Let’s Talk’s Tiga Bayles interviews Mick Gooda on Stronger Futures
* Background to ‘Stronger Futures’ new NT Intervention laws
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Cathy Eatock, One Billion Rising:
End violence against Aboriginal women
* NIRS:
Compensation test case hoped to shine light on removal conditions
* NIRS:
Stolen Generations victims deserve criminal compensation: Sam Watson
* Let’s Talk:
Highlights of Link-Up’s 5th Anniversary Apology Event
* The Wire:
‘Social emotional support': the missing link in closing the gap
* Greg Dickson, Fully (sic):
Federal Government ready to “Recognise” Indigenous languages
(but it’s kinda old news)
* Background to the use of Aboriginal languages in NT schools
* Other articles
* BLACKETT, WESTERN SYDNEY LAUNCH OF THE BOOK
‘A DECISION TO DISCRIMINATE':
“A Decision to Discriminate:
Aboriginal Disempowerment in the Northern Territory”
Published by ‘concerned Australians’
Respect and Listen: http://www.respectandlisten.org/uploads/downloads/ca/ADTD-book-review-2012.pdf
Elimatta, page 3: http://www.asgmwp.net/ElimattaAutumn2013.pdf
19 Feb 13: “”A Decision to Discriminate” demonstrates how
our democratic processes failed Aboriginal peoples of the
Northern Territory. It shows the process leading to
decisions which were deeply flawed; a process miserably
failing the people who provided evidence to its inquiries
by ignoring their clearly expressed views and instead
pushing the legislation through the House of
Representatives before the Senate Inquiry report had been
completed. The events described here took their origins in
2007, when the government introduced the “Northern
Territory Emergency Response” (NTER, commonly known as
“NT Intervention”). … ”
* LET’S TALK’S TIGA BAYLES INTERVIEWS MICK GOODA ON STRONGER FUTURES:
– Audio Interview
Indigenous radio station 98.9FM Brisbane:
Let’s Talk – Mick Gooda
18 Feb 13: Tiga Bayles interviews Mick Gooda
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission
Speaking about the recent Closing The Gap Report and
The Stronger Futures legislation in the Northern Territory
and Alcohol restrictions.”
Listen to this interview on-line:
18 Feb 13: “This was a speech given to a One Billion Rising
event in Sydney on February 14. ***
Sexual assault for Aboriginal women is recorded at 6 times
the rate for the rest of the community. In a detailed study
of rape among Aboriginal women it found that 42% of the
perpetrators were in fact non- Aboriginal, 41% were
Aboriginal and 17% were both Aboriginal and non Aboriginal,
in instances of pack rapes.” By Cathy Eatock
* NIRS:
COMPENSATION TEST CASE HOPED TO SHINE LIGHT ON REMOVAL CONDITIONS
– News
National Indigenous Radio Service:
Compensation test case hoped to shine light on removal conditions
18 Feb 13: “A spokesperson for a Western Australian Stolen
Generations advocacy group says a case for compensation
currently in the Supreme Court in Perth will have
wide-ranging implications. Donald and Sylvia Collard are
seeking damages over the removals of their children between
1958 and 1961 in a case which is expected to set a
precedent in WA. Jim Morrison from Bringing Them Home WA
says although he doesn’t want to be drawn on the specifics
of the case, it does highlight the plight of Stolen
Generations victims.”
18 Feb 13: “NIRS/98.9fm: The Chair of Link-Up Queensland
Sam Watson says he supports calls for Australia governments
to award compensation to surviving members of the Stolen
Generations. Link-Up aims to reunite victims of past
government removal policies with their families and
communities. Mr. Watson told 98.9fm at fifth anniversary of
the national apology celebrations last week what’s needed
is more than an apology.”
See:
WGAR News: Let’s Talk:
Live Broadcast 5th Anniversary of the Apology Link-Up Event
(16 Feb 13)
18 Feb 13: “Giving emotional and social support seems simple
enough, but it’s one of the missing ingredients in many
programs tailored towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people. These are the conclusions from new reports
monitoring Australia’s progress in closing the gap,
evaluating successful programs across Australia. The mental
health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people has been severely affected by the impact
of colonisation, the removal of children, racism and
continued socioeconomic disadvantage. …
Featured in story:
Lorraine Peeters, Managing Director of Murumali
Ashley Couzens, Head of Riverland Aboriginal Men’s Support Group”
* GREG DICKSON, FULLY (sic):
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT READY TO “RECOGNISE” INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES
(BUT IT’S KINDA OLD NEWS)
– Analysis / Opinion
Fully (sic) – Crikey’s language blog:
Federal Government ready to “Recognise” Indigenous languages
(but it’s kinda old news)
15 Feb 13: “There was a bit of hoo-hah in Parliament House
this week when Julia, Tony and co. made a minor song and
dance about constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people and their languages.
Greg Dickson writes that it’s good news but actually kinda
old news… with shiny branding. He explains the
recommendations and the clever work that was done by the
expert panel over twelve months ago.” wamut
* BACKGROUND TO THE USE OF ABORIGINAL LANGUAGES IN NT SCHOOLS:
18 Feb 13: “The Northern Territory Working Women’s Centre
was established in 1994. The NT Working Women’s Centre
provides free and confidential advice to women about work
related matters. The Centre particularly targets services
to those in a disadvantaged bargaining position, insecure
and low paid work. After many years of planning and
dreaming, the Alice Springs office is finally here and
currently have 1 staff member, Anne Hebert, working Monday
to Thursday. Another staff member will be joining Anne in
early March 2013.”
19 Feb 13: “* The Northern Territory Deputy Chief Minister
has rejected suggestions that the Mills Country Liberal
Government has abandoned the findings of a comprehensive
report into Aborignal child welfare and safety.
* The Shadow Indigenous Affairs Minister NT Senator Nigel
Scullion says that The Gillard Government doesn’t listen to
Aborignal people and it should leave it to them to
determine if they want a new Land Council in the Northern
Territory.”
18 Feb 13: “* The founder of one of Australia’s top one
hundred companies says those working with Aboriginal
contractors in the mining sector need to invest ongoing
training and development.
* The Shadow Indigenous Affairs Minister NT Senator Nigel
Scullion has accused the Gillard Labor government of
inappropriate behaviour in its handling of the
publicly-funded multi-million dollar Indigenous Land
corporation.
* The Northern Territory Parliament has passed laws which
will see Violent offenders serve guaranteed time in jail.”
– News
National Indigenous Radio Service:
New CSG regulations not strong enough: NSW land council head
19 Feb 13: “A New South Wales land council boss has
criticised the State Government for not going far enough in
its plans to strengthen the regulations relating to coal
seam gas. Under a package approved by the cabinet on
Monday, a two kilometre exclusion zone will be imposed
around residential areas to prevent new exploration and
production activities above and below ground. But Illawarra
Local Aboriginal Land Council chair Roy Kennedy says
despite the buffer, the Government still hasn’t guaranteed
it won’t contaminate waterways.”
National Indigenous Radio Service:
Sovereignty an “elephant in the room”
18 Feb 13: “NIRS/98.9fm: A Brisbane elder says she’s tired
of the Australian Government overlooking the issue of
Indigenous sovereignty in favour of symbolic gestures. The
Federal Government took a significant step towards a
referendum to recognise Indigenous Australians in the
Constitution last week by passing the Act of Recognition
through the lower house. But Aunty Mary Graham told 98.9fm
the issue of sovereignty must but discussed by Indigenous
communities and governments.”
National Indigenous Radio Service:
Fed. Opposition: Macklin’s reappointment of top bureaucrat dodgy
18 Feb 13: “The Federal Opposition Indigenous Affairs
spokesperson says the Government has acted improperly in
the reappointment of the head of the Indigenous Land
Corporation. Nigel Scullion says Minister Jenny Macklin
circumvented the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act
by rehiring ILC chief executive Bruce Gemmel.”
National Indigenous Radio Service:
Macklin: No new land council for Territory
18 Feb 13: “NIRS/ABC: The Federal Indigenous Affairs
Minister has rejected an application to establish a new
land council in the Northern Territory because she’s not
satisfied the applicants could do the job. A group of
traditional owners, led by the Jawoyn Association, applied
to establish a Katherine-based land council in 2011,
seeking to control over nearly 80 per cent of the territory
managed by the Northern Land Council.”
newsTracker: Macklin rejects new land council proposal
15 Feb 13: “NATIONAL: Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister
Jenny Macklin is rejecting an application from Aboriginal
groups seeking to create their own breakaway land council.
“I am not satisfied that the applicants could
satisfactorily perform land council functions,” Ms Macklin
said in a statement on Thursday. A group of 24 Aboriginal
clans from the NT’s Top End had argued that the Northern
Land Council (NLC) was failing to properly look after
their needs.”
ABC: MP says jail is good for young Aboriginal people
15 Feb 13: “A Northern Territory Government politician says
some Aboriginal people support imprisonment because jail
gets the younger generations sober, fed and keeps them
safe. Overnight, the Legislative Assembly passed amendments
to the NT Sentencing Act, allowing for mandatory sentencing
of violent offenders. Labor opposed the bill and raised
concerns it would continue to see Indigenous people locked
up at an alarming rate. The member for Stuart, Bess Price,
told Parliament Labor did nothing to address the matter
when it was in power, and argued that incarceration had
some benefits.” By Penny Timms
ABC: Lawyers disappointed by Bess Price prison comments
18 Feb 13: “The Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid
Service says comments from a local MP undermine work to
divert people from prison. The Member for Stuart, Bess
Price, told Parliament that some Aboriginal people like
prison because it helps them get sober and stay fed. But
CAALAS Principal Lawyer, Mark O’Reilly says Indigenous
incarceration rates in the Territory are a disgrace and the
government should be doing everything in its power to keep
people out of prison. “There are a lot of organisations
around that are doing a lot of good work to try and support
people in the community and improve conditions,” he said.”
By Anthony Stewart
