March | 2011

Archive for March, 2011

29/03/2011 Urgent UN Petition to restore Human Rights to NT Aboriginal People

Posted in NEWSLETTER on 31/03/2011 by D

Contents:
* Urgent UN Petition to restore Human Rights to NT Aboriginal People
* Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Other Aboriginal Articles

URGENT UN PETITION TO RESTORE HUMAN RIGHTS TO NT ABORIGINAL PEOPLE:

– Petition

‘concerned Australians’:
Restore Human Rights to NT Aboriginal People
http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/
“Letter to the Human Rights Commissioner, Navi Pillay,
who will visit Australia in May.
Your signature is needed by 7 May.
Background information about the campain (PDF):
http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/media/Campaign-Navi-Pillay.pdf
Letter / petition to Navi Pillay (PDF):
http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/media/Letter-to-Navi-Pillay.pdf
Electronic petition / letter:
http://www.gopetition.com/petition/44188.html “

GoPetition:
Restore Human Rights to the Northern Territory Aboriginal People
Published by ‘concerned Australians’
http://www.gopetition.com/petition/44188.html
26 Mar 11: “Target: Navi Pillay UN Human Rights Commissioner …
Web site: http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au
Background (Preamble):
Navi Pillay, a former South Africa High Court Judge, is the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. She will
visit Australia in May.
This follows several years of criticism regarding
Australia’s poor human rights record and last year’s visit
to Geneva by Aboriginal elders who raised the Northern
Territory Intervention with the Committee for the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The Northern Territory Intervention imposed in June 2007,
without consultation or the consent of Aboriginal people,
continues to be a source of grave injustice. It has
overridden the rights of the people, placed their culture
and languages in jeopardy while removing their control
over their land and communities. … “

Rollback the Intervention:
Urgent United Nations Petition
http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/
“Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights, will visit Australia in May. The Australian
Government is due to respond to the United Nations in
August on the complaint laid by Aboriginal people in the
Northern Territory to the Committee for the Elimination of
Racial Discrimination. Jenny Macklin is already campaigning
widely to convince the Australian public that the Racial
Discrimination Act has been fully reinstated whereas in
fact the Special Measures are still in place after nearly
four years. These measures continue to demonise and
demoralise many Aboriginal people and not just those living
in prescribed areas. …
http://www.gopetition.com/petition/44188.html “

Stop the Intervention:
Restore Human Rights to NT Aboriginal People
[scroll down page] http://stoptheintervention.org/

NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION:

– Audio

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News 28-03-2011
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-28-03-2011
28 Mar 11: “A leading Australian Aboriginal Rights
campaigner has challenged the Gillard Labor Governments
claim that the Racial Discrimination Act has been fully
reinstated in the Northern Territory.”

– News

Solidarity:
Speaking tour a boost for Jobs with Justice campaign
http://www.solidarity.net.au/33/speaking-tour-a-boost-for-jobs-with-justice-campaign/
Mar 11: “John Leemans, a Gurindji man and LHMU delegate
from Kalkarindji, Northern Territory, travelled to Sydney
and Brisbane to speak at worksites, union and community
meetings in March. John is an outspoken activist and
campaigner against the Northern Territory Intervention.
Last year he helped organise a workers’ strike in
Kalkarindji to protest the quarantining of Aboriginal
workers’ wages. Some workers in Kalkarindji are paid only
the equivalent of Newstart Allowance with half quarantined
onto a BasicsCard that can only be spent in certain stores.
… Get involved in the campaign:
http://jobswithjustice.wordpress.com/ ” Emma Torzillo

Green Left: Refugees put on income management
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47142
27 Mar 11: “In June 2010, the federal government passed
legislation allowing the extension of welfare quarantining
beyond the 73 Northern Territory remote communities that
were its first target. … The ALP government said it
extended the policy so that it could to apply to all
welfare recipients in the NT and therefore make it
non-discriminatory. But a March 10 Senate estimates
committee revealed that after more than six months of the
new, improved “non-racist” income management scheme, over
92.4% of those who have been forced onto income management
are Aboriginal.”

Koori Mail: PM urged to accept Abbott invitation
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
27 Mar 11: “ABORIGINAL MP Adam Giles has joined calls for
Prime Minister Julia Gillard to accept Opposition leader
Tony Abbott’s invitation to tour the Alice Springs town
camps together. Mr Abbott has called for a ‘new
intervention’ to combat crime and other social problems in
the town but Ms Gillard says he is merely politicking. Mr
Giles says the problems in Alice Springs need a
coordinated, bipartisan approach and the Government’s
response to date falls well short.”

BACKGROUND TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION:

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Northern Territory National Emergency Response
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Territory_intervention

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

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

IRAG (Intervention Rollback Action Group):
http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/

‘concerned Australians’:
http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/

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

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

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

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

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

WGAR (Working Group for Aboriginal Rights):
http://wgar.info/

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26/03/2011 Police used to break blockade by Aboriginal women of Lake Tyers

Posted in NEWSLETTER on 31/03/2011 by D

Contents:
* Police used to break blockade by Aboriginal women
of Lake Tyers
* Other Lake Tyers blockade articles
* Background to blockade by Aboriginal women of Lake Tyers
* Aboriginal groups protest against nuclear waste dump
* Background to Muckaty Station nuclear waste dump
* Churches hope that Australia will continue to urge
the Australian Government to end Intervention
* More on Tony Abbott’s call for new NT Intervention
* Background to Tony Abbott’s call for new NT Intervention
* Other Northern Territory (NT) Intervention articles
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* National Close the Gap Day – March 24

POLICE USED TO BREAK BLOCKADE BY ABORIGINAL WOMEN OF LAKE TYERS:

– News

Indymedia Australia: Police used to break picket at Lake Tyers
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/03/24/police-used-to-break-picket-at-lake-tyers
24 Mar 11: “The Age reported that police were used to
escort the Administrator, Simon Wallace-Smith through the
blockade established on the 8th of March by the women of
Lake Tyers to protest the lack of community control in Lake
Tyers. … There is a benefit for the blockade this Friday
in Melbourne. Leanne Edwards, spokesperson for the group
told the ABC that the group plans to re-enact a march on
Parliament House carried out by Aboriginal elders in 1963.”

Age: Police bring officials through protest lines at Lake Tyers
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/police-bring-officials-through-protest-lines-at-lake-tyers-20110322-1c55y.html
23 Mar 11: “POLICE escorted Victorian officials through a
blockade at East Gippsland’s Lake Tyers settlement
yesterday, where there is a dispute over the running of the
settlement. Indigenous women imposed the blockade two weeks
ago after the state government refused to rescind the
appointment of an administrator. The administrator, Simon
Wallace-Smith, who was appointed eight years ago, passed
through the blockade early yesterday with other officials,
driven in by police. A spokeswoman for the protesters,
Leanne Edwards, said the women did not attempt to stop the
officials.”

7 News: Administrator breaches Aboriginal trust picket
http://au.news.yahoo.com/queensland/a/-/local/9052258/administrator-breaches-aboriginal-trust-picket/
22 Mar 11: “The Victorian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs,
Jeanette Powell, is still refusing to talk to Aboriginal
people blockading the Lake Tyers Aboriginal settlement near
Lakes Entrance. The protesters have been blockading the
Aboriginal trust property for two weeks, calling for
self-determination. The government-appointed administrator
broke through the picket line early this morning with a
police escort.”

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21/03/2011 Protest blockade by Lake Tyers Aboriginal women continues

Posted in NEWSLETTER on 22/03/2011 by D

Contents:
* Protest blockade by Lake Tyers Aboriginal women continues
* Background to blockade by Aboriginal women of Lake Tyers
* Aboriginal workers and the Northern Territory (NT)
Intervention & other related articles
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Interview with Kylie Sambo, Mark Lane and Dr. Jim Green
about Muckaty nuclear waste dump
* Background to Muckaty Station nuclear waste dump
* SBS Highlight: Closing The Gap – Are We There Yet?

PROTEST BLOCKADE BY LAKE TYERS ABORIGINAL WOMEN CONTINUES:

– Urgent Petition

Lake Tyers Petition download:
https://sites.google.com/site/treatyrepublicfilebank/pdf-1/Lake-Tyers-Petition.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1L

[Ed. note: I spoke to Leanne Edwards, spokesperson of Lake
Tyers Aboriginal Trust, and she said that the petitions
need to be returned by this Friday the 25th of March, 2011.]

– Video

Blockade continues over Aboriginal land dispute
ABC: http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2011/03/17/3166993.htm?site=alicesprings
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX7J7-POBeM
17 Mar 11: “The Victorian Government has withdrawn some
services from the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust community in
the state’s south-east after a protest by locals.”

– Analysis / Opinion

ABC The Drum: Laying down the law in Lake Tyers
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/18/3167765.htm
18 Mar 11: “It’s an action which is quietly sending
shudders through government circles: what to do about an
extraordinary and unprecedented political protest in a tiny
Indigenous community in Victoria’s East Gippsland. Ten days
ago, the community of Lake Tyers, which is not too far
north east of Lakes Entrance but which might as well be a
thousand miles away, decided to seize sovereignty of its
own land in an act of peaceful non-cooperation.” Jeff Waters

ABC Melbourne: Aboriginal community calls for return of democracy
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/18/3167692.htm?site=melbourne
18 Mar 11: “Ten days ago, the community of Lake Tyers,
north east of Lakes Entrance, seized sovereignty of its own
land in an act of peaceful non-cooperation. A picket was
set-up to refuse entry to the Victorian government-appointed
administrator, as well as to the second-most senior
bureaucrat, the community manager. For the past six years,
Lake Tyers has been run by an administrator, rather than an
elected council. The administrator is a consultant hired
from the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu company with wide-ranging
powers and financial control.” Jeff Waters

– News

ABC: Indigenous blockade continues over board sacking
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/16/3165337.htm?site=indigenous&topic=latest
16 Mar 11: “Protesters at the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust
in East Gippsland are marking the second week of their
blockade on the settlement’s access road. The Indigenous
shareholders are calling for the reinstatement of the
community board that was sacked by the Government
administrator earlier this year. The protesters have
relaxed their blockade to allow service providers through
but they are still barring the administrator and his staff.
A spokeswoman, Leanne Edwards, says about 40 people
attended a meeting this week calling for the community
board to take back control of the trust.”

BACKGROUND TO BLOCKADE BY ABORIGINAL WOMEN OF LAKE TYERS:

WGAR News: Aboriginal women of Lake Tyers are staging a blockade (12 Mar 11)
http://www.indymedia.org.au/2011/03/12/wgar-news-aboriginal-women-of-lake-tyers-are-staging-a-blockade

ABORIGINAL WORKERS AND THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION &
OTHER RELATED ARTICLES:

– Media Releases

Stop the Intervention:
‘Scrap “failed” NT intervention’
– demands Aboriginal rights demonstration
http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/press-releases/scrap-failed-nt-intervention-demands-aboriginal-rights-demonstration
19 Mar 11: “STICS is touring John Leemans, a Gurindji man,
and a councilor and community mentor for the Victoria Daly
Shire. In October 2010, he led a strike against the
intervention in his community at Wave Hill. John is in
Sydney as part of the Jobs with Justice campaign, to tour
worksites with the support of the construction and maritime
unions.
“Our communities are crying out for help. Today what we the
First Nations people are facing is more serious that ever
before. Today under this discriminatory law we must fight
to stay alive. We want to get on with rebuilding our
communities and helping our families. We need support to
stop this intervention which is preventing us from being
self-sufficient, blocking our self-determination and
removing our human rights.” said John Leemans.”

Rollback the Intervention – Media Releases:
More ‘Work for the Dole’
No Solution to Aboriginal Employment Crisis
http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/media/
17 Mar 11: “Unions NT and The Intervention Rollback Action
Group today condemned the Federal and NT government’s
announcement of a $1.2 million funding package to create
100 new CDEP or ‘work for the dole’ places in Alice Springs
as entrenching discrimination and poverty for Aboriginal
workers.
Unions NT Secretary Adam Lampe said “The Labor government
committed to halving the gap in employment outcomes between
Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in a decade. But
due to a continuation of Intervention policies Indigenous
unemployment has drastically worsened from 13.8% in 2007 to
18.1% in 2009.” …
Since 2008 Labor’s reforms to the Community Development
Employment Project (CDEP) have left the program gutted,
with participants now compelled to work for Centrelink
payments, half of which is quarantined on the BasicsCard.
A recently released discussion paper by peak NT
organisations including the Central and Northern Land
Councils estimates that under these reforms between June
and September 2011 nearly 5000 Aboriginal people will be
moved off CDEP wages and onto Centrelink.”

– Speeches

Stop the Intervention: Videos from the event
20 Mar 2011 Rally to Stop the Intervention – John Leemans
http://stoptheintervention.org/past-events/20-mar-2011-rally-to-stop-the-intervention#videos

Stop the Intervention: John Leemans
Speech by John Leemans to NSW Nurses Delegates meeting
http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/speeches/john-leemans
15 Mar 11: “The Government is talking about “Closing the
Gap” but the intervention is making things much worse. They
talk about millions pouring into the community because of
the $1.2billion budget for the intervention. …
This intervention law must be scrapped. Why? I’ll tell you
why. Because it is racist. Because it is going against
human rights law. The churches are condemning it, the
United Nations are condemning it, the Australian people are
condemning it, and the world is certainly condemning it.
Again why? Because it is wrong to treat another human being
like this in this day and age.”

– Coming up on Video

ABC Indigenous: TV & Video: Talking Stick: Housing
http://www.abc.net.au/indigenous/tv_video/default.htm
Wednesday March 30 2011, 2:30 AM: “Housing is central to
the Government’s attempt to close the gap between
Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Billions have been
slated to improve or build new houses, but the various
programs have not been without criticism.”

– Letter

Eureka Street: Jenny Macklin to Frank Brennan
http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=25496
16 Mar 11: “Dear Father Brennan,
I refer to your opinion piece ‘Interminable Intervention’
which was posted on the Eureka Street website on 13
February 2011. I acknowledge that the instigation of the
Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER) by the
previous government was a major shock to many Aboriginal
people and communities in the Northern Territory (NT) and
was seen as a serious affront. There was no consultation
before it was initiated and the nature of some of the
measures and coercive tone utilised undoubtedly caused
anger, fear, and distrust. It also needs to be
acknowledged, however, … ” Jenny Macklin MP, Minister for
Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

BACKGROUND TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION:

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Northern Territory National Emergency Response
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Territory_intervention

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

IRAG (Intervention Rollback Action Group):
http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/

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

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

‘concerned Australians’:
http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/

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

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

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

WGAR (Working Group for Aboriginal Rights):
http://wgar.info/

INTERVIEW WITH KYLIE SAMBO, MARK LANE AND DR. JIM GREEN
ABOUT MUCKATY NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP:

– Audio interview with Kylie Sambo, Mark Lane & Dr. Jim Green

3CR Community Radio 855 AM – Podcasts
http://www.3cr.org.au/podcasts
Radioactive Show | 6 Mar 2011:
[file download] http://podcast.3cr.org.au/pod/3CRCast-2011-03-05-91451.mp3
6 Mar 11: “We focus on the National Nuclear Waste Dump that
is proposed for the Muckaty Community in the Northern
Territory. We speak to Kylie Sambo, Mark Lane and Dr. Jim
Green.”

– News mentioning NT nuclear dump

Australian: New convenstions floated to stop
commonwealth override of territory laws
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/northern-territory-chief-minister-backs-greens-territories-rights-bill/story-fn59niix-1226022636158
16 Mar 11: “ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope has proposed a
constitutional brake on the commonwealth’s capacity to make
laws for the territories. … Earlier, Northern Territory
Chief Minister Paul Henderson accused the Commonwealth of
exploiting the constitutional weakness of the NT to open a
radioactive waste dump there. Mr Henderson strongly backed
Greens leader Bob Brown’s bill to remove the government’s
executive veto over territory laws, claiming the current
ministerial override was ”unconscionable”.”

– Analysis / Opinion mentioning NT nuclear dump

HydroWorld.com: Plants are only politically unsafe
http://www.hydroworld.com/index/display/news_display.1382032952.html
20 Mar 11: “Where better to hold radioactive waste than
Australia? … But at the moment Parliament is struggling
over a Bill to enable land to be made available for a site
to store Australia’s own low-level radioactive waste, such
as that from hospitals, industry and research facilities.
The search for such a site began in 1988, when Hawke was in
power. But it is such a vexed question that the Bill is
only now before the Senate. If the Bill passes, there is
another legal hurdle with the nominated site, Muckaty
Station near Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory,
facing a challenge in the Federal Court.”

BACKGROUND TO MUCKATY STATION NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP:

Beyond Nuclear Initiative’s weblog:
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.wordpress.com/

Beyond Nuclear Initiative: Muckaty
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.wordpress.com/muckaty/

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

WGAR News: Nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory (2 Mar 10)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/03/02/wgar-news-nuclear-waste-dump-in-the-northern-territory-2-mar-10

WGAR News: Muckaty Station Nuclear Waste Dump (20 Mar 10)
http://groups.google.com.au/group/foblmail/browse_thread/thread/ddc393bb66205849

WGAR News: Nuclear Waste Dump … (28 Mar 10)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/03/28/wgar-news-nuclear-waste-dump-close-the-gap-day-28-mar-10

WGAR News: Muckaty Radioactive Waste Dump … (4 Apr 10)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/04/03/wgar-news-muckaty-radioactive-waste-dump-welfare-quarantining-4-apr-10

WGAR News: National day of action against Muckaty nuclear waste dump:
12th April!
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/04/10/wgar-news-national-day-of-action-against-muckaty-nuclear-waste-dump-12th-april

WGAR News: … Update: Muckaty Station Nuclear Waste Dump (23 Apr 10)
[scroll down page]
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/04/22/wgar-news-raw-sewage-dumped-in-ampilatwatja-aboriginal-worker-dismissed-23-apr-10

WGAR News: Update on Muckaty Station Nuclear Waste Dump (2 May 10)
https://wgar.wordpress.com/2010/05/02/02052010-update-on-muckaty-station-nuclear-waste-dump/

WGAR News: Federal Court legal challenge over nuclear waste dump (13 Jun 10)
http://lists.perthimc.asn.au/pipermail/blackgreensolidarity/2010-June/002933.html

WGAR News: PM Gillard: No change on Muckaty nuclear waste dump (12 Jul 10)
http://lists.perthimc.asn.au/pipermail/blackgreensolidarity/2010-July/002965.html

WGAR News: Federal Court challenge over nuclear dump resumes in August
(16 Mar 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/03/16/wgar-news-federal-court-challenge-over-nuclear-dump-resumes-in-august

SBS HIGHLIGHT: CLOSING THE GAP – ARE WE THERE YET?:

– Audio

SBS Audio and Language: Aboriginal:
Closing The Gap – Are We There Yet?
http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/aboriginal/highlight/page/id/151072/t/Closing-The-Gap-Are-We-There-Yet/in/english
15 Mar 11: “Five years on and the question’s being asked –
how far have we come to Closing The Gap?
How far have we come to ‘Closing the Gap’ on Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander life expectancy, ecucational and
employment opportunities?
As any one of your children may say – are we there yet?
Are we even close?
Co-Chair of the Close the Gap Campaign, Tom Calma of the
Kungarakan people and Mick Gooda of the Gangulu nation
marked the fifth anniversary of the Close the Gap Campaign
with speeches at at the National Press Club in Canberra.
And it was five years ago in his capacity as Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Dr
Calma first called for a national effort to achieve health
equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
Michelle Lovegrove

SBS Audio and Language: Aboriginal:
Calls For Annual Checks on Closing The Gap
http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/aboriginal/highlight/page/id/151352/t/Calls-For-Annual-Checks-on-Closing-The-Gap/in/english
16 Mar 11: “The Road To Closing The Gap – How Far Are We?
Greater clarity, timely data collection and annual progress
checks is the call from the Federal Opposition on the Close
the Gap campaign.
Federal Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel
Scullion says he was disturbed by a recent statement from
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
Commissioner Mick Gooda, that it’ll be another five years
before there’s any real improvement in Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander health.
Senator Scullion is speaking with Michelle Lovegrove.”

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16/03/2011 Federal Court challenge over nuclear dump resumes in August

Posted in NEWSLETTER on 18/03/2011 by D

Contents:
* Federal Court legal challenge over
Muckaty nuclear waste dump resumes in August
* More on the blockade by Aboriginal women of Lake Tyers
* More on ‘racist’ Alice Springs TV advertisement
* Other Muckaty nuclear waste dump articles
* Background to Muckaty Station nuclear waste dump
* Northern Territory (NT) Intervention articles
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention

FEDERAL COURT LEGAL CHALLENGE OVER
MUCKATY NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP RESUMES IN AUGUST:

– News

ABC: Legal battle over nuclear dump to resume in August
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/01/3152127.htm
1 Mar 11: “A legal battle over the nominated site for
Australia’s first nuclear waste facility looks set to
continue for months. Muckaty Station near Tennant Creek is
the only site nominated by the Federal Government for
Australia’s first nuclear waste dump. A traditional owner
is trying to challenge the nomination, arguing that not all
of the relevant people were consulted. A mediation session
on Friday failed to resolve the case and the Federal Court
has listed it for further mediation in August.”

9 News: NT landowners fight radioactive dump
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8218225/nt-landowners-fight-radioactive-dump
1 Mar 11: “Aboriginal landowners say they will continue
their fight to stop Australia’s first radioactive waste
dump being set up on their land. They’ve again implored
Resources Minister Martin Ferguson to visit Muckaty
Station, near Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, who
has so far turned down repeated invitations. …
Meanwhile, his [Mark Lane Jangala] legal challenge in the
Federal Court – launched on behalf of himself and other
senior elders – is due to return in August.”

MORE ON THE BLOCKADE BY ABORIGINAL WOMEN OF LAKE TYERS:

See: WGAR News: Aboriginal women of Lake Tyers are staging a blockade
http://www.indymedia.org.au/2011/03/12/wgar-news-aboriginal-women-of-lake-tyers-are-staging-a-blockade

– News

Bairnsdale Advertiser: ‘We’re being dictated to’
http://www.eastvicmedia.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1870&Itemid=87
11 Mar 11: “On Tuesday, a group of female residents of Lake
Tyers Aboriginal Trust blockaded the road to Lake Tyers,
saying they would prevent the passage of any persons or
government representatives until their voice was heard and
claims resolved. … “We are sick of the Northern Territory
style intervention imposed on us,” spokesperson for the
group, Ms Edwards, said. “Our elders who fought for the
land so that Aboriginal people could have a home to call
our own, was to be handed back in 1970 as freehold title to
the Aboriginal people after a long struggle.” “We now are
in 2011 and once again are being dictated by a government
whose policies on us have once again failed,” she said.”

ABC: Women stage blockade at Lake Tyers Trust
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/08/3158054.htm
8 Mar 11: “Women from the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust in
East Gippsland have staged a blockade to protest against
Government intervention. The Lake Tyers settlement is on an
isolated property east of Lakes Entrance and was awarded to
the Aboriginal people in 1970. The Labor state government
stepped in about eight years ago and appointed new
administrators to the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust. About 10
women from the settlement have blockaded the dirt access
road today turning away everyone except health services and
the school bus.”

MORE ON ‘RACIST’ ALICE SPRINGS TV ADVERTISEMENT:

See: WGAR News: Complaint against ‘racist’ Alice Springs TV ads
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/03/10/wgar-news-complaint-against-%E2%80%98racist%E2%80%99-alice-springs-tv-advertisements

See also: WGAR News: More on ‘racist’ Alice Springs TV advertisement
[scroll down page]
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/03/12/wgar-news-aboriginal-women-of-lake-tyers-are-staging-a-blockade

– Analysis / Opinion

Green Left: Alice Springs: Ugly racism on show in TV ad
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/46970
13 Mar 11: “Aboriginal country musician Warren H Williams
has launched legal action against Action for Alice’s
advertisement, saying it was racist. “I have never
encountered anything like the unjust portrayal and
vilification demonstrated by these advertisements,”
Williams said on March 3. “Many Aboriginal peoples have
seen these advertisements and feel they have been unjustly
represented. A serious repercussion of these
advertisements is the effect on self-esteem and self-worth,
further fuelling a deterioration in the mental health of
Indigenous peoples, particularly our youth. There is enough
segregation within our society between Indigenous and
non-Indigenous people … these advertisements just wedge
that gap open even further.”” Peter Robson

OTHER MUCKATY NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP ARTICLES:

– Media Releases

Scott Ludlam: Greens fight to give Northern Territory
say in nuclear waste dump plan
http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/greens-fight-give-northern-territory-say-nuclear-waste-dump-plan
3 Mar 11: “The Australian Greens will move an amendment to
the national radioactive waste dump legislation, seeking
consent from the Northern Territory Assembly before moving
to dump radioactive waste in the Territory.
“The proposal to dump radioactive waste highlights the fact
that the Northern Territory does not have the same rights
to determine its own affairs as the states,” Australian
Greens Senator Scott Ludlam said.
“The Commonwealth knows very well that it would be more
difficult to force the radioactive dump on a State, and
that is one reason it is targeting the Territory. …
Debate on the radioactive waste dump legislation has begun
in the Senate, and will resume when Parliament resumes
later in March.”

Scott Ludlam: Radioactive waste authority must be
stripped from Minister Ferguson
http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/radioactive-waste-authority-must-be-stripped-minister-ferguson
1 Mar 11: “The Australian Greens have urged the Government
to strip responsibility for radioactive waste management
from Resources Minister Martin Ferguson.
Greens spokesperson for nuclear affairs Senator Scott
Ludlam said nuclear waste had been in the jurisdiction of
successive science ministers for decades before the
“extremely unorthodox” decision of the Government to place
it in the hands of the resources minister after the 2007
election.
“This responsibility was mysteriously transferred from the
science portfolio, where it had been for decades, to the
resources and energy portfolio, where there was no
expertise whatsoever. The results are clear to see –
irresponsible decisions made with totally inadequate
consultation with affected parties,” he said.”

– Speech

Greens MPs: Taking note of answers to questions on notice
about nuclear waste
http://www.greensmps.org.au/content/speech/taking-note-answers-questions-notice-about-nuclear-waste
2 Mar 11: “The first question I put, regarding the
establishment of a radioactive waste facility at Muckaty
Station in the Northern Territory, related to
recommendation 1 of the inquiry of the Standing Committee
on Legal and Constitutional Committee into the provisions
of the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010,
which I believe will shortly be before the Senate.
Recommendation 1 said that before this project goes ahead,
if indeed it ever does, the minister should as soon as
possible meet with the affected parties. That does not
sound too controversial to me.” Spokesperson Scott Ludlam

– Video

Greens MPs: Take Note – Radioactive waste dump at Muckaty
http://greensmps.org.au/content/tv/take-note-radioactive-waste-dump-muckaty
1 Mar 11: “After a dismissive response from the government
to his Question Without Notice on the lack of consultation
with the traditional owners of the proposed site for the
radioactive waste dump at Muckaty, Senator Ludlam let his
feelings be known.”

YouTube: Kylie and Kelisha at “Music for Muckaty” 25 Feb 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PW06hG4i_A
2 Mar 11: “Muckaty women Kylie Sambo and Kelisha Green were
in Melbourne for their debut performance at “Music for
Muckaty”, a fundraiser for the Muckaty anti-waste dump
campaign, on Friday 25 February. Earlier, Kylie delivered a
copy of her award-winning song “Muckaty” to Energy and
Resources Minister Martin Ferguson’s office … “

YouTube: Muckaty Voices
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcuNpT84Ovo
9 May 10: “”Muckaty Voices” is a short film capturing
community resistance to an Australian government plan to
dump radioactive waste at Muckaty Station, 120 kilometres
north of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. … The
film was produced for the Muckaty Traditional Owners by
Enlightning Productions [Eleanor Gilbert], with the support
of the Beyond Nuclear Initiative.”

– Analysis / Opinion

SMH: Furphies abound in Ferguson’s nuclear agenda
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/furphies-abound-in-fergusons-nuclear-agenda-20110301-1bcka.html?skin=text-only
2 Mar 11: “As Resources Minister Martin Ferguson pushes
Australia into a new future of expanding uranium exports to
southern Asia and pushes nuclear power back onto the
political agenda, the public will have to be duped into
accepting the reality of nuclear waste dumps on Australian
soil. Ferguson has been selling his contentious National
Radioactive Waste Management Bill on the false notion that
such a dump, to be developed at Muckaty Station in the
Northern Territory, is in the community interest as a
repository for Australia’s nuclear medicine waste.”
Dr Peter Karamoskos and James Norman

– News

Tennant and District Times:
Melbournites wooed by anti-nuke at Muckaty song
http://tennantcreek.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/melbournites-wooed-by-antinuke-at-muckaty-song/2100708.aspx
11 Mar 11: “TWO girls who took a stand against the proposed
nuclear waste dump at Muckaty were the highlight of a
benefit concert in Melbourne recently. Kylie Sambo and
Kelisha Green sang Music for Muckaty, a hip hop song which
was penned by Kylie. The concert was organised by Friends
of the Earth to raise money for protest action to prevent
the dump from going ahead at Muckaty, 120 kilometres north
of Tennant Creek.”

Tennant and District Times:
Traditional owner takes fight to TV
http://tennantcreek.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/traditional-owner-takes-fight-to-tv/2093890.aspx
4 Mar 11: “A TRADITIONAL owner from the Barkly has met with
some of the country’s most powerful politicians in his bid
to stop the nuclear waste dump from being built at Muckaty
Station. Mark Lang Jangala spent the start of this week
lobbying policy-makers at Federal Parliament in Canberra.
… In an interview with former Tennant Times reporter and
now NITV/Sky News video journalist Daniel Bourchier, Mr
Lane Jangala said that the government had ignored the
concerns of the great majority of stakeholders from the
area.”

Eco Voice: Gillard paves way for radioactive waste
to be dumped on unwilling communities
http://www.ecovoice.com.au/eco-news/2385
4 Mar 11: “Western Australia’s peak environment group has
condemned new laws that have been pushed through Federal
Parliament that pave the way for radioactive waste dumps
to be imposed on local communities. … Conservation
Council Director Piers Verstegen said “This appalling
legislation cannot be sugar-coated. It is intended to do
one thing and that is to remove the rights of Australian
communities to oppose the location of radioactive waste
dumps in their backyards.”

NT News: Brown’s new bill to boost NT’s power
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/03/02/215601_ntnews.html
2 Mar 11: “THE Federal Labor and Greens parties are
supporting a Bill that would strengthen the power of the
NT. The Private Member’s Bill, which Greens Party leader
Senator Bob Brown will propose tomorrow, would enable the
NT, ACT and Norfolk Island to make laws without the
possibility of being overruled by Federal Parliament.”

BACKGROUND TO MUCKATY STATION NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP:

Beyond Nuclear Initiative’s weblog:
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.wordpress.com/

Beyond Nuclear Initiative: Muckaty
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.wordpress.com/muckaty/

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

WGAR News: Nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory (2 Mar 10)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/03/02/wgar-news-nuclear-waste-dump-in-the-northern-territory-2-mar-10

WGAR News: Muckaty Station Nuclear Waste Dump (20 Mar 10)
http://groups.google.com.au/group/foblmail/browse_thread/thread/ddc393bb66205849

WGAR News: Nuclear Waste Dump … (28 Mar 10)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/03/28/wgar-news-nuclear-waste-dump-close-the-gap-day-28-mar-10

WGAR News: Muckaty Radioactive Waste Dump … (4 Apr 10)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/04/03/wgar-news-muckaty-radioactive-waste-dump-welfare-quarantining-4-apr-10

WGAR News: National day of action against Muckaty nuclear waste dump:
12th April!
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/04/10/wgar-news-national-day-of-action-against-muckaty-nuclear-waste-dump-12th-april

WGAR News: Update on Muckaty Station Nuclear Waste Dump (2 May 10)
https://wgar.wordpress.com/2010/05/02/02052010-update-on-muckaty-station-nuclear-waste-dump/

WGAR News: Federal Court legal challenge over nuclear waste dump (13 Jun 10)
http://lists.perthimc.asn.au/pipermail/blackgreensolidarity/2010-June/002933.html

WGAR News: PM Gillard: No change on Muckaty nuclear waste dump (12 Jul 10)
http://lists.perthimc.asn.au/pipermail/blackgreensolidarity/2010-July/002965.html

NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION ARTICLES:

– News

NT News: White hot anger over welfare grab
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/03/15/218021_ntnews.html
15 Mar 11: “HUNDREDS of non-indigenous Territorians are
bombarding Centrelink with complaints after having their
welfare money “managed”. The Federal Government has
extended “quarantining” to all Territorians and now holds
back half of all payments. Centrelink uses the money to pay
essential bills, such as childcare fees. Welfare recipients
who don’t think they should have their fortnightly money
managed must make a special case to Centrelink. One woman
said: “We have to prove that we’re not going to spend all
the money on grog and smokes.””

BACKGROUND TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION:

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Northern Territory National Emergency Response
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Territory_intervention

‘concerned Australians’:
http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/

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

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

IRAG (Intervention Rollback Action Group):
http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/

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

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

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

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

WGAR (Working Group for Aboriginal Rights):
http://wgar.info/

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12/03/2011 Aboriginal women of Lake Tyers are staging a blockade

Posted in NEWSLETTER on 14/03/2011 by D

Contents:
* Petition to Support the Northern Territory Elders’ Statement
* Aboriginal women of Lake Tyers are staging a blockade
* More on ‘racist’ Alice Springs TV advertisement
* More on the UWS Anti-Racism Research Project
* More on the Reconciliation Barometer
* More on the ACTU’s Indigenous Conference
* Northern Territory (NT) Intervention articles
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention

PETITION TO SUPPORT THE NORTHERN TERRITORY ELDERS’ STATEMENT:

The link to petition is:
https://sites.google.com/site/treatyrepublicfilebank/pdf-1/Elders-Petition-Final.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1

See: WGAR News: A further conversation with Elders
– impacts of living under the Intervention
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/02/25/wgar-news-a-further-conversation-with-elders-impacts-of-living-under-the-intervention

ABORIGINAL WOMEN OF LAKE TYERS ARE STAGING A BLOCKADE:

– Media Releases

Melbourne Indymedia:
Blockade of Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust residents and shareholders
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/03/08/blockade-of-lake-tyers-aboriginal-trust-residents-and-shareholders
8 Mar 11: “Statement by Aboriginal Women of Lake Tyers
Aboriginal Trust – Blockade on Road to Lake Tyers …
As from today the shareholders and residents of Lake Tyers
Aboriginal Trust blockaded the road to Lake Tyers. No
persons or governments are allowed to come on to the trust
until governments sit down and listen to our statement of
claims resolve the situation.
Health service employees and the school bus are the only
exceptions.
We are sick of the Northern Territory style intervention
imposed on us.
Our elders who fought for the land (so that Aboriginal
people could have a home to call our own) to be handed back
in 1970 as free hold title to the Aboriginal people after
a long struggle.
We now are in 2011 and once again are being dictated by
government whose policies on us have once again failed.
The state and federal governments 10-point plan to “Close
the Gap” in Aboriginal communities is discriminatory. We
have no rights as Aboriginal people or as shareholders of
the trust. We are being harassed and intimidated.”

Treaty Republic:
Waywurru and Dhudhuroa people support Lake Tyers
http://treatyrepublic.net/content/waywurru-and-dhudhuroa-people-support-lake-tyers
8 Mar 11: “Blockade at Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust
Press Release from Aboriginal Women
The Senior Chair of the Dhudhuroa Native Title Group Mr
Gary Murray and the grandson of the prominent leader Pastor
Sir Douglas Nicholls said today that; “Almost fifty years
ago in the 1960’s Lake Tyers Men (see photo) led by Pastor
Sir Douglas Nicholls JP.MBE.OAM,KCVO and Bapa Mamus and
former Governor of South Australia marched on the Victorian
Parliament to protest about the conditions and proposed
sale of Lake Tyers.
The Waywurru and Dhudhuroa Traditional Owners from North
East Victoria particularly our women stand with and
strongly support the Blockade by Aboriginal Women who have
placed a blockade on government mission managers.
The State is breaching the human rights of the Lake Tyers
residents and it is time all Traditional Owners stood up
and questioned why government mission managers have
created conflict and division in our communities.”

– Audio

ABC Gippsland Vic: Women blockade Lake Tyers
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/03/08/3158445.htm
8 Mar 11: “A group of Aboriginal women have blockaded the
road to Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust in East Gippsland in
protest against current administration arrangements over
the site. The women claim the current administration
arrangements over Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust are akin to a
“Northern Territory-style intervention.” Freehold title of
the Lake Tyers settlement was transferred to Aboriginal
people in 1970. But the women want more community
involvement in the Lake Tyres Aboriginal Trust, which is
administered by the Department of Justice and Aboriginal
Affairs Victoria.”

– News

Indigenous Peoples: Victoria:
Blockade On Road To Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust Will Continue
http://www.indigenouspeoplesissues.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9366:victoria-blockade-on-road-to-lake-tyers-aboriginal-trust-will-continue&catid=54:australia-indigenous-peoples&Itemid=76
11 Mar 11: “The BLOCKADE AT THE ENTRANCE OF LAKE TYERS
ABORIGINAL TRUST TO STOP MANAGERS AND GOVERNMENT FROM
ENTERING ABORIGINAL LAND WILL CONTINUE until our right to
manage our own affairs and control our own destiny is
recognized according to the UN Declaration on Indigenous
peoples.”

ABC: Protesters call for administrator’s removal
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/11/3161546.htm
11 Mar 11: “Protesters from the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust
in East Gippsland are calling on the Government to remove
the trust administrator. Protesters have been blockading
the entrance road to the trust since Tuesday. The community
voted for a committee late last year at the trust’s annual
meeting, but the government administrator sacked the
committee this year. The protesters say the Government has
threatened to withdraw funding if the blockade continues.”

7 News Queensland: Govt accused of harassment over blockade
http://au.news.yahoo.com/queensland/a/-/local/8987234/govt-accused-of-harassment-over-blockade/
10 Mar 11: “Protesters at the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust
in East Gippsland say the State Government is threatening
to withdraw vital services, if they do not stop their
blockade. … A spokeswoman for the protesters, Leanne
Edwards, is accusing the Government of harassment and
intimidation. “Well they’re saying that the children’s
programs will stop, the farm will be stopped, all the
cattle and stuff will be removed,” he said. “The houses
that they’re building now won’t be built and they’re just
going to take all the funding.””

ABC: Indigenous trust members maintain blockade
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/10/3160396.htm?site=indigenous&topic=latest
10 Mar 11: “Protesters from the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust
in East Gippsland are blockading the settlement’s access
road for the third day. The group is complaining that it
does not have a say in the running of the trust. The
Victorian Government appointed an administrator to the
trust about eight years ago. The director of Aboriginal
Affairs said yesterday he will not talk to protesters
while they are blockading the road.”

Win News: Lake Tyer Protest Day Two
http://www.wintv.com.au/gippsland/news/item/39835
9 Mar 11: “The blockade into the Lake Tyers Aboriginal
Trust continues as protesters rally to send their message
to the State Government. “We feel very strongly that we are
not getting… Having our right say. We are being
suppressed.” said Spokesperson for Lake Tyers Aboriginal
Trust Leanne Edwards. The protesters want to take the
management of the trust from the Government. They say under
state control their living standards, rights, and say on
land management has deteriorated.”

Weekly Times Now: Women stand up for Lake Tyers community
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2011/03/08/304901_latest-news.html
8 Mar 11: “VICTORIAN Aboriginal women from Lake Tyers are
staging a blockade to protest against the state
government’s administration of their community. The
Department of Justice and Aboriginal Affairs Victoria in
2006 signed a 10-year renewal agreement governing the Lake
Tyers Aboriginal Trust in East Gippsland. Trust member
Leanne Edwards says the “Northern Territory-style
intervention” is not providing opportunities for her people
from the Gunai/Kurnai tribes. “None of the shareholders or
Aboriginal people or residents of this place were
consulted,” she said.”

Win News: Lake Tyers Blockade
http://www.wintv.com.au/gippsland/news/item/39812
8 Mar 11: “At the entrance to the Lake Tyers Aboriginal
Trust, the community has taken its stand. Under banners
decrying their lack of human rights they say they’ll stay
until their voices are heard. “It’s about getting our
rights back to shareholders, back to the people of this
land. As it is now we haven’t been recognised,” said Jane
Proctor, Aboriginal Elder. … “We want our land back, we
don’t want to be told by white people where to live on our
land,” said Josephine Mullett, Elder.”

MORE ON ‘RACIST’ ALICE SPRINGS TV ADVERTISEMENT:

See: WGAR News: Complaint against ‘racist’ Alice Springs TV ads
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/03/10/wgar-news-complaint-against-%E2%80%98racist%E2%80%99-alice-springs-tv-advertisements

– Audio

The Wire: Alice Springs ad before the Human Rights Commission
[scroll down page] http://www.thewire.org.au/daydetail.aspx?SearchDay=2011-03-04
4 Mar 11: “On Thursday the third of March, residents of
Alice Springs launched a complaint with the Human Rights
Commission against a television ad they find racially
vilifying. The ad was funded by a group of local business
owners, called Action for Alice, to lobby local and federal
governments for change in their community, which they say
is in crisis. Interviews include: Warren Williams, Alice
Springs resident; George Newhouse, Alice Springs Lawyer;
Damien Ryan, Mayor of Alice Springs; Geoff Booth, Organiser
of Action For Alice; Rex Neindorf, Alice Springs business
owner.”

MORE ON THE UWS ANTI-RACISM RESEARCH PROJECT:

See: WGAR News:
Challenging Racism: The Anti-Racism Research Project
[scroll down page]
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/03/03/wgar-news-indigenous-survival-where-to-from-here-symposium-on-the-2007-declaration-on-the

– Analysis / Opinion

Green Left: There is nothing positive about racism
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/46887
6 Mar 11: “The underlying issue of racism in Australia has
been a pervasive feature of national political life ever
since the invasion of the First Fleet in 1788. It was used
as an ideological justification for the dispossession of
indigenous Australians. In 1975, the Racial Discrimination
Act was implemented in order to enable all Australians,
regardless of their racial and cultural background, to
enjoy equal rights and to prohibit discriminative
behaviour based on racial hatred. However, as the
Challenging Racism Project has shown, although Australians
perceive themselves as tolerant and culturally accepting,
racially discriminative behaviour and ideas are still very
prevalent within today’s society.” Kerry Deligiannis

– Audio

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
Dr Yin Paradies speaks on CAAMA radio
http://caama.com.au/dr-yin-paradies-speaks-on-caama-radio
9 Mar 11: “Paul Wiles speaks to Dr. Yin Paradies about
racism in Australia. The survey of about 12,000 people is
conducted by many Universities and they wanted to find out
about attitudes towards different races in different
states and territories in workplaces, schools and on the
streets. The study shows 80-90% of people are happy with
cultural diversity and something should be done about
racism in Australia.”

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10/03/2011 Complaint against ‘racist’ Alice Springs TV advertisements

Posted in NEWSLETTER on 10/03/2011 by D

Contents:
* Complaint against ‘racist’ Alice Springs TV advertisements
* Northern Territory (NT) Intervention articles
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Jude Kelly invites Kevin Rudd to Aboriginal Tent Embassy
* Dr Djiniyini Gondarra speaks about Aboriginal Customary Law
* “The biggest failure in our health system”

COMPLAINT AGAINST ‘RACIST’ ALICE SPRINGS TV ADVERTISEMENTS:

– Statement / Report

Rollback the Intervention – Statements/Reports:
Intervention Rollback Action Group Response to ‘Action for Alice’
http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/statements/
3 Mar 11: “The Intervention Rollback Action Group condemns
the racist advertising campaign being run by business
owner group ‘Action for Alice’ and their calls for further
incarceration of Aboriginal people. We are extremely
concerned at deteriorating social conditions facing the
Aboriginal community both in urban centres and bush
communities. These problems are the fruits of
discriminatory government policy. Meeting this crisis must
start with a strong stand against racism and for
empowerment and positive investment in Aboriginal
communities. … Calls for more punitive measures must be
resisted. We must act immediately to force the removal of
the racist advertisements and an end to vigilantism
sponsored by groups like Action for Alice. The Intervention
must be scrapped and the millions currently being spent on
bureaucrats and punitive programs must be redirected to
rebuilding Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal leadership.”

– News

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
Complaint against ‘racist’ Alice Springs TV commercials
http://caama.com.au/complaint-against-%E2%80%98racist%E2%80%99-alice-springs-tv-commercials
4 Mar 11: “Central Australian country music singer and
Indigenous rights advocate Warren H Williams has today
lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights
Commission (AHRC) against advertisements being run on the
Imparja television network by business owner group ‘Action
for Alice’. Mr Williams says the advertisements are racist
and vilify Indigenous people. Mr Williams is being
represented by human rights lawyer George Newhouse of Surry
Partners Lawyers in Sydney. The complaint is requesting
that Imparja and ‘Action for Alice’ take the advertisements
off air and off the internet immediately.”

ABC: Locals take legal action over Alice crime ads
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/03/3154221.htm
3 Mar 11: “Some Alice Springs residents are taking legal
action over television ads they say are racially
discriminatory. … At least two local Indigenous residents
are launching a claim with the Human Rights Commission.
Their lawyer George Newhouse says his clients believe the
commercials unfairly stigmatise Aboriginal people.”

ABC: TV ad complaint
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/03/03/3153973.htm
3 Mar 11: “Well known singer / songwriter Warren H Williams
has lodged an official complaint with the Human Rights
Commission about Action for Alice’s controversial
television ads. The advertisements, which are aimed at
tackling crime and show young Aboriginal people walking
around at night, have been running in Alice Springs for
around a month. Human rights lawyer George Newhouse says
he’s been contacted by ‘a number of people’ over the past
few days and the complaint was lodged this morning.”

NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION ARTICLES:

– 27 Indigenous leaders speak out

National Indigenous Times: Stop the Intervention!
http://www.nit.com.au/news/story.aspx?id=21289
3 Mar 11: “If there was any doubt there should be none now.
Indigenous leaders throughout Australia have said
overwhelmingly that Jenny Macklin should stop the
Intervention in the Northern Territory.
Twenty seven of Australia’s Indigenous leaders, including
Gail Mabo from the Torres Strait Islands, agreed to respond
to our request to declare whether they believed the
Intervention should continue. To a person they have
declared: No, it shouldn’t.
They were all responding to the February 17 edition of The
National Indigenous Times that featured a powerful appeal
from traditional Elders from remote communities in the
Northern Territory who declared the Intervention was
destroying their communities and their hope of a future for
the families.”

See background:
WGAR News: A Further Conversation with Elders
– impacts of living under the Intervention
http://perth.indymedia.org/index.php?action=newswire&parentview=153974

– Audio

Indigenous radio station 98.9FM Brisbane
Let’s Talk – Indigenous presented talkback:
http://989fm.com.au/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29
3 Mar 11: “Reverend Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM:
Tiga Bayles spoke with Reverend Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM.
They spoke about the Northern Territory Intervention.”
Listen to this interview on-line:
http://www.989fm.com.au/podcasting/audio/98fm-podcast-2011-03-03-71086.mp3

– Report

ANTaR’s publication “A Better Way: Success Stories in
Aboriginal community control in the Northern Territory”
Download ANTaR’s A Better Way publication February 2011:
http://antar.streetlinemedia.com/

– Analysis / Opinion

Socialist Alternative:
Indigenous housing situation a result of racist policies
http://www.sa.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3130:indigenous-housing-situation-a-result-of-racist-policies&catid=219:aboriginal-rights&Itemid=221
4 Mar 11: “The appalling housing conditions in remote
Indigenous communities in Australia are a vivid indicator
of the depth and persistence of systemic racism in this
country. What is even more revealing is the way in which
massive investment in remote housing in recent years has
been used by the Australian state to further entrench the
dispossession and subjugation of Indigenous peoples. …
Housing conditions in Northern Territory (NT) Aboriginal
communities are amongst the worst in the world.”
Alex McAulay

Crikey: NT intervention … why it just didn’t work
http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/03/02/nt-intervention-why-it-just-didnt-work/
2 Mar 11: “Mal Brough, creator of the Northern Territory
intervention, declared last Saturday that it was a failure,
Jenny Macklin, not surprisingly, denies failure and claims
it is both proceeding and succeeding. I agree with Brough
that the intervention was a failure but not for the reasons
he has stated. He claims the ALP government has gone soft
and failed to … ” Eva Cox

– News

Green Left: Gov’t expands welfare quarantine scheme
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/46894
6 Mar 11: “”The federal government’s expansion of income
management in the Northern Territory has created new
barriers for Aboriginal people who want to get off its
welfare control scheme. The rollout has also affected
hundreds — possibly thousands — of others, including
residents of Darwin and Alice Springs and newly arrived
refugees. … The intervention into Aboriginal communities
continues with compulsory land acquisition, prohibition,
the destruction of Aboriginal-run services and an ongoing
lack of any evidence of improvement. Income management
still places a discriminatory burden on Aboriginal people.”
Jay Fletcher

National Indigenous Times:
Mal Brough, the supreme interventionist, agrees it’s not working
http://www.nit.com.au/News/story.aspx?id=21288
“Mal Brough, the Howard Government Minister who will always
be remembered as the architect of the infamous Intervention
into Northern Territory communities, has now declared the
program isn’t working. In fact, Brough now believes the
whole structure of the Intervention is broken beyond
repair. It has, he said, become stagnant and buried in
bureacracy. Mr Brough was Indigenous Affairs Minister in
the Howard Government in 2007 when he launched the
Intervention program, including the use of Australian Army
personnel, to end what was claimed to be a crisis in the
Northern Territory.”

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01/02/2011 Legislation passes enabling a nuclear waste dump to be built at Muckaty, NT

Posted in NEWSLETTER on 01/03/2011 by D

Contents:
* Legislation enabling a nuclear waste dump to be built
at Muckaty passes House of Representatives
* Background to Muckaty Station nuclear waste dump
* Aboriginal ‘Freedom Ride’ re-enacted
* Activist Jude Kelly from the Aboriginal Tent embassy
gives up citizenship
* Importance of bilingual education
in remote Indigenous schools
* Northern Territory (NT) Intervention articles
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention

LEGISLATION ENABLING A NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP TO BE BUILT
AT MUCKATY PASSES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

– Media Releases

Beyond Nuclear Initiative:
“Come Out and Camp with Us” Traditional Owners Challenge
Government to Meet Over Muckaty Waste Dump
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.wordpress.com/2011/02/25/%E2%80%9Ccome-out-and-camp-with-us%E2%80%9D-traditional-owners-challenge-government-to-meet-over-muckaty-waste-dump/
25 Feb 11: “Muckaty Traditional Owners met outside the
offices of the Northern Land Council in Tennant Creek today
to protest the passing of the National Radioactive Waste
Management Bill through the House of Representatives.
The protest coincided with a federal court mediation in
Melbourne about the contested Muckaty site nomination,
attended by Traditional Owner Mark Lane Jangala. The
Traditional Owners resolved to continue fighting the
proposed waste dump and reiterated calls for politicians
and the NLC to come to Tennant Creek and meet with the
community. …
Senior Traditional Owner Bunny Naparulla concluded:
“We been fighting all those years for our land, but what
we got – nothing! I don’t want that nuclear waste in the
land, my grandfather’s land and my mother’s land. We got
the culture for it and the knowledge for the country. Five
groups are there but they’ve been listening to one group.
We don’t want that nuclear waste in Muckaty, in Manuwangku,
take it away!””

Australian Greens – Scott Ludlam:
Government sells out Traditional Owners and the Northern
Territory while Coalition splits on nuclear waste dump vote
http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/government-sells-out-traditional-owners-and-northern-territory-while-coalition
22 Feb 11: “The Australian Greens today condemned the
Government for passing a bill to force a radioactive waste
dump onto the Northern Territory, despite the Opposition
refusing to vote and Coalition MP Natasha Griggs crossing
the floor to oppose the bill.
Greens MP Adam Bandt and Greens nuclear affairs
spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam congratulated Ms Griggs
for her courage in voting against the radioactive waste
dump bill while the Coalition took the extremely unusual
step of removing all but one member from the Chamber during
the vote.
The National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010, which
sets up the legal regime for a radioactive waste dump at
Muckaty north of Tennant Creek, overrides all State and
Territory legislation that could affect the dump plan and
exempts Minister Ferguson, who refused to meet with the
traditional owners of the site, from compliance with key
Commonwealth environment and Indigenous protections.
Senator Ludlam noted that some MPs who backed the dump
plan also advocated a “nuclear future” for Australia.”

Australian Greens – Scott Ludlam:
Bandt to vote against government and force a vote on nuclear dump
http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/bandt-vote-against-government-and-force-vote-nuclear-dump
20 Feb 11: “For the first time Greens MP Adam Bandt will
vote against a government bill in Federal Parliament today
and seek to highlight the governments failure to properly
consult traditional owners about plans for a nuclear waste
dump in the Northern Territory.
The National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010, which
sets up the legal regime for a radioactive waste dump at
Muckaty north of Tennant Creek, will be debated today. …
The Greens in the Senate have previously strongly opposed
the legislation.
Mr Bandt will move an amendment to delay passage of the
bill until Minister Ferguson consults with Traditional
Owners who are opposed to the dump. This pre-requisite
recommendation from an earlier Senate Inquiry into the
dump laws has been completely ignored by Minister
Ferguson.”

– Audio

SBS Podcasts: Nuclear waste dump for NT a step closer
http://www.sbs.com.au/podcasts/Podcasts/world-view/episode/146937/Nuclear-waste-dump-for-NT-a-step-closer
25 Feb 11: “Controversial legislation allowing the creation
of Australia’s first national storage facility for
low-level and intermediate level nuclear waste has been
passed in the House of Representatives. The site most
likely to be used to the radioactive waste dump is Muckaty
Station near Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.”
Santilla Chingaipe

Beyond Nuclear Initiative: February 21, 2011
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.wordpress.com/audio/
21 Feb 11: “Following on from Greens MP Adam Bandt’s speech
in the House of Reps this morning,
(click here to download:
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/110221_adam-bandt-hor_waste-dump.pdf
he moved an amendment in the House that the National
Radioactive Waste Management Bill be deferred until the
first recommendation of the inquiry is undertaken and
traditional owners are consulted.
The Senate inquiry recommendation No. 1—that
… as soon as possible the Minister for Resources Energy
and Tourism undertake consultations with all parties with
an interest in or who would be affected by a decision to
select the Muckaty Station site as the location for the
national radioactive waste facility.
Audio from the House of Representatives debate is below.
Speakers were: Ian MacFarlane (Lib), Adam Bandt (Greens),
Don Randall (Lib) , Dick Adams (ALP), Alex Hawke (Lib),
Tony Zappia (ALP), Natasha Griggs (CLP), Anna Burke (ALP),
Martin Ferguson (ALP)”

– Briefing Paper

Proposed Radioactive Waste Dump at Muckaty, NT
Briefing Paper – February 2011
Jim Green B.Med.Sci.(Hons.), PhD
National nuclear campaigner – Friends of the Earth, Australia
Friends of the Earth:
http://www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear/issues/oz/nontdump/Dump%20briefing%20Feb%202011.pdf
Beyond Nuclear Initiative:
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/dump-briefing-feb-20111.pdf
Feb 11: “1. INTRODUCTION
The Labor Government plans to establish a national
radioactive waste dump at Muckaty, 120 kms north of Tennant
Creek in the Northern Territory. There are many concerns
with the proposal, including:
* The opposition of many Traditional Owners to the proposal,
and the unwillingness of the Government to listen to their
concerns and to include them in decision-making processes.
* Draconian legislation which overrides Aboriginal heritage
and environmental protection laws and overrides all
state/territory laws.
* The failure of the Government to establish the need for
a national repository.
* The failure of the Government to carry out a
site-selection process based on scientific and
environmental criteria.
* Multiple breaches of binding ALP platform policy
commitments. … “

– Video

NT News: Sambo takes the hip-hop fight to N-dump
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/02/28/214991_ntnews.html
28 Feb 11: “A TERRITORY rap star has pulled off some rhymes
to protest against a nuclear waste dump to be built on her
country. Young Muckaty woman and award-winning hip hop
artist Kylie Sambo took her song “Muckaty” down south last
week to have her voice heard. Ms Sambo said she was
fighting for a “brighter future” for the children living at
the remote station, north of Tennant Creek. “We don’t want
the waste dump on our land because we care for it as much
as it cares for us,” she said.”

Beyond Nuclear Initiative: MUCKATY by Kylie Sambo
http://www.beyondnuclearinitiative.wordpress.com/video

For more about Kylie Sambo see:
“No dump at Muckaty!”
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/02/25/no-dump-at-muckaty-protests-continue-in-martin-fergusons-electorate-24-february-2011
and “Music For Muckaty”
http://www.treatyrepublic.net/content/music-muckaty-melbourne-friday-25th-february
and “Nuclear waste dump for NT a step closer”
http://www.sbs.com.au/podcasts/Podcasts/world-view/episode/146937/Nuclear-waste-dump-for-NT-a-step-closer

YouTube: Muckaty Voices
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcuNpT84Ovo
9 May 10: “”Muckaty Voices” is a short film capturing
community resistance to an Australian government
plan to dump radioactive waste at Muckaty Station,
120 kilometres north of Tennant Creek in the Northern
Territory. … The film was produced for the Muckaty
Traditional Owners by Enlightning Productions,
with the support of the Beyond Nuclear Initiative.”

– News

ABC Rural: Traditional Owners angry at Muckaty decision
for nuclear dump in NT
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201102/s3149332.htm
25 Feb 11: “Mediation proceedings begin today in the court
challenge over the nomination of Muckaty station as the
proposed site for a nuclear waste dump facility.
Traditional Owners have reaffirmed their opposition to the
facility claiming that the government failed to consult all
traditional owner groups. This comes after legislation
enabling the facility to be built at Muckaty, passed
through the House of Representatives on Tuesday.”

Indymedia Australia:
No dump at Muckaty!
Protests continue in Martin Ferguson’s electorate, 24 Feb 11
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/02/25/no-dump-at-muckaty-protests-continue-in-martin-fergusons-electorate-24-february-2011
25 Feb 11: “To mark the one-year anniversary of the
announcement of Muckaty in the Northern Territory as the
chosen site for a proposed national radioactive waste dump,
members of Friends of the Earth ACE (Anti-nuclear and Clean
Energy) Collective* toured part of Energy and Resources
Minister Martin Ferguson’s Batman electorate in search of
an alternative dumping ground. … This action followed a
visit to the minister’s electoral office by Kylie Sambo
and Kelisha Green, two young hip-hop artists from Muckaty
opposed to the dump; … “

NT News: Protesters ramp up campaign against nuke dump
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/02/24/214321_ntnews.html
24 Feb 11: “TERRITORY anti-nuclear waste dump protesters
have started a small but concerted campaign against new
legislation expected to be presented to the Federal Senate
next week. The House of Representatives passed the Bill on
Tuesday with Muckaty Station about 120km north of Tennant
Creek the site most likely to be used for the dump.”

ABC: Nuclear dump laws ‘show need for NT statehood’
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/24/3147906.htm
24 Feb 11: “The imminent passage of national nuclear waste
dump legislation is another argument for the Northern
Territory to become a state, the Territory’s Statehood
Committee says. Federal laws making it easier to build a
waste dump at Muckaty Station passed the House of
Representatives this week. The laws are expected to pass
the Senate next week. Statehood Committee chairwoman Jane
Aagaard has told the Territory Parliament that Territorians
are not being treated fairly.”

ABC Rural: Nuclear waste in 44 gallon drums
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/nt/content/201102/s3148062.htm
24 Feb 11: “On Tuesday the House of Representatives passed
a bill 68 to 6 for a nuclear waste facility to be built on
Muckaty Station, north of Tennant Creek. It’s something
that has divided opinions both within politics and the
general community.”

ABC: MPs pass nuclear waste dump bill
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/22/3145939.htm?site=darwin
23 Feb 11: “The House of Representatives has passed a bill
to allow a national storage facility for radioactive waste
to be set up in Australia. Muckaty Station, near Tennant
Creek in the Northern Territory, is the site most likely to
be used for the dump. Resources Minister Martin Ferguson
says Australia has been trying to find a site for a nuclear
waste dump since 1988 and it is time that the issue was
dealt with. But the National Radioactive Waste Managements
Bill 2010 is likely to face further delays in the Senate.
Greens Senator Scott Ludlam says the Greens will introduce
a series of amendments in the Upper House, including
tightening the discretion given to the Resources Minister.”

ABC: Griggs attacks Snowdon for nuclear dump stance
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/23/3146457.htm
23 Feb 11: “The Country Liberals Member for Solomon,
Natasha Griggs, has criticised the Labor Member for
Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, for supporting a bill that would
allow a nuclear waste dump to be built in his electorate.
Muckaty Station, near Tennant Creek in the Northern
Territory, is the only site being considered for the dump.
Ms Griggs and several independent MPs voted against the
bill, which was yesterday passed in the House of
Representatives by 68 votes to 6. Mrs Griggs says Mr
Snowdon should explain why he has changed his stance over
recent years.”

NT News: Editorial: Griggs defiant on N-waste
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/02/23/214191_opinion.html
23 Feb 11: “TERRITORIANS are probably evenly divided about
the Federal Government’s decision to build a nuclear waste
dump near Tennant Creek. … But on one issue there is more
agreement – that Canberra should not have the right to
impose the dump on Territorians.”

NT News: Vote brings dump a step closer
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/02/23/214161_ntnews.html
23 Feb 11: “LEGISLATION to create a national nuclear waste
dump at Muckaty, north of Tennant Creek, passed through the
Lower House of Federal Parliament yesterday. The National
Radioactive Waste Management Bill was not supported in the
House of Representatives by any of the independents or the
Greens. Country Liberal Member for Solomon Natasha Griggs
also crossed the floor to vote against it.”

ABC Rural: Labor split on Muckaty nuclear waste dump
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201102/s3146509.htm
23 Feb 11: “A Northern Territory MP says he’s disappointed
members of his own party have voted in favour of a nuclear
waste dump in his electorate. The House of Representatives
passed the bill 68 to six yesterday, for the facility to be
built on Muckaty Station near Tennant Creek. The Northern
Territory site is the only one that’s been seriously
considered for the dump in recent years and had previously
been opposed by the Federal Labor Party.”

Australian Conservation Foundation:
Radioactive waste law ‘cynical and irresponsible’
http://www.acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=3300
22 Feb 11: ““This cynical and irresponsible legislation
attempts to manage Australia’s highest level radioactive
waste by imposing it on some of the country’s most
disadvantaged people,” said ACF nuclear free campaigner
Dave Sweeney. Labor promised to end a decade of division
by doing things differently and better. Instead the ALP
has revived the divisive and discredited approach of the
Howard era and ignored growing community concern and
opposition.””

NT News: Griggs fights nuclear dump
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/02/22/213881_ntnews.html
22 Feb 11: “A TERRITORY federal MP is to vote against
forcing the NT to house a nuclear waste dump. The Liberal
and National parties support the Labor Government’s
National Radioactive Waste Management Bill, which would
lead to the $30 million dump being built near Tennant
Creek. CLP Senator Nigel Scullion, Labor Senator Trish
Crossin and Labor minister Warren Snowdon will vote for the
Bill. But Natasha Griggs said she would defy her party’s
whips and oppose the law. “I don’t support the nuclear
waste dump and I’ve made this clear in the party room,”
she said.”

Australian:
Martin Ferguson attacks Adam Bandt over political ‘hypocrisy’
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/martin-ferguson-attacks-adam-bandt-over-political-hypocrisy/story-e6frg6nf-1226009784683
22 Feb 11: “RESOURCES Minister Martin Ferguson labelled
Greens MP Adam Bandt a hypocrite, misusing indigenous
people to pursue short-term politics. The attack came last
night after the Greens MP called on Parliament to stop
debating a plan for a nuclear waste dump in the Northern
Territory to store low-level nuclear waste. Although the
Opposition backed the debate, Mr Bandt, the Greens’ only
House of Representatives MP called for more consultation,
insisting traditional owners at Muckaty Station were
having the tip “dumped on them” and that the bill was being
rammed through parliament against the wishes of the people
of the Northern Territory.”

Herald Sun: Nuclear dump report a whitewash – Bandt
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/nuclear-dump-report-a-whitewash-bandt/story-e6frf7kf-1226009418246
21 Feb 11: “AUSTRALIA’S first radioactive waste dump has
been subject to less oversight than would be deemed
appropriate for construction of a car park, parliament has
been told. A lower house committee has given its stamp of
approval to government legislation that aims to establish a
dump to store medical, industrial and research radioactive
material at Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory.
Committee chairman Tony Zappia tabled its report in
parliament today, saying the committee had taken its task
very seriously. … But Australian Greens MP Adam Bandt, a
member of the committee, slammed the report as a
whitewash.”

SMH: Ferguson dumps on Greens nuclear tactics
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/ferguson-dumps-on-greens-nuclear-tactics-20110221-1b2lw.html
21 Feb 11: “Government frontbencher Martin Ferguson has
launched a stinging attack on the Australian Greens for
trying to stall draft laws for Australia’s first
radioactive waste dump. The resources minister accused
Greens MP Adam Bandt of rampant hypocrisy by opposing a
dump at Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory. Mr
Ferguson said the Greens say they support the establishment
of a single national radioactive waste facility but erected
“every possible conceivable barrier to prevent its
realisation”.”

New Matilda: We Still Can’t Manage Nuclear Waste
http://newmatilda.com/2011/02/16/we-still-cant-manage-nuclear-waste
16 Feb 11: “If Lucas Heights can’t maintain health and
safety standards, what reason is there to believe Martin
Ferguson’s planned nuclear waste dump at Muckaty Station
will be safe, asks Jim Green. It’s a sad truth that
whistleblowers have provided the public with more
information about accidents at the Lucas Heights nuclear
reactor site on Sydney’s outskirts than the site’s operator
— the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology
Organisation (ANSTO) — ever has. ” Jim Green

NT News: Nuclear dump to be debated today
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/02/10/211731_ntnews.html
10 Feb 11: “LEGISLATION to create a nuclear waste dump in
the Northern Territory will be debated in Federal
Parliament today. The Labor Government plans to establish a
national radioactive waste dump at Muckaty, 120km north of
Tennant Creek. The Howard government first nominated
Muckaty as one of four possible sites for a nuclear waste
dump in September 2007. … NT Chief Minister Paul
Henderson has said the site should be chosen for scientific
reasons, not because the NT was a constitutional
“weak link”.”

Preston Leader: Anti-nuclear protestors make their point
at Minister’s Preston office
http://preston-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/protestors-make-their-point/
29 Jan 11: “PROTESTORS campaigning against a nuclear waste
repository in the Northern Territory staged a mock
radioactive waste spill outside the Preston office of
Batman federal Labor MP Martin Ferguson. The High St office
of the Energy and Resources Minister was shut while
environmental campaigners took centre stage, accompanied
by a giant inflatable white elephant and a Ferguson
impersonator sporting a papier-mache head. The protest is
part of a campaign against the Federal Government’s
proposed National Radioactive Waste management bill, … “

ABC: Radioactive waste bill is flawed: Greens
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/23/3100550.htm
23 Dec 10: “The Greens say the Federal Government’s
proposed radioactive waste management bill is flawed and
puts too much power in the hands of Resources Minister
Martin Ferguson. A parliamentary committee has recommended
the Government pass the legislation, which could see a
national nuclear waste storage facility built at Muckaty
Station in the Northern Territory. Greens MP Adam Bandt was
on the committee but says his party has filed a dissenting
report. Mr Bandt says there were no public hearings and no
consultation with nearby traditional owners, some of whom
are campaigning against the facility.”

BACKGROUND TO MUCKATY STATION NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP:

Beyond Nuclear Initiative’s weblog:
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.wordpress.com/

Beyond Nuclear Initiative: Muckaty
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.wordpress.com/muckaty/

WGAR News: Nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory (2 Mar 10)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/03/02/wgar-news-nuclear-waste-dump-in-the-northern-territory-2-mar-10

WGAR News: Muckaty Station Nuclear Waste Dump (20 Mar 10)
http://groups.google.com.au/group/foblmail/browse_thread/thread/ddc393bb66205849

WGAR News: Nuclear Waste Dump … (28 Mar 10)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/03/28/wgar-news-nuclear-waste-dump-close-the-gap-day-28-mar-10

WGAR News: Muckaty Radioactive Waste Dump … (4 Apr 10)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/04/03/wgar-news-muckaty-radioactive-waste-dump-welfare-quarantining-4-apr-10

WGAR News: National day of action against Muckaty nuclear waste dump:
12th April!
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/04/10/wgar-news-national-day-of-action-against-muckaty-nuclear-waste-dump-12th-april

WGAR News: Update on Muckaty Station Nuclear Waste Dump (2 May 10)
https://wgar.wordpress.com/2010/05/02/02052010-update-on-muckaty-station-nuclear-waste-dump/

WGAR News: Federal Court legal challenge over nuclear waste dump (13 Jun 10)
http://lists.perthimc.asn.au/pipermail/blackgreensolidarity/2010-June/002933.html

WGAR News: PM Gillard: No change on Muckaty nuclear waste dump (12 Jul 10)
http://lists.perthimc.asn.au/pipermail/blackgreensolidarity/2010-July/002965.html

ABORIGINAL ‘FREEDOM RIDE’ RE-ENACTED:

– Audio

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News 16-02-2011
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-16-02-2011
16 Feb 11: “A retrace of the 1965 freedom ride is reminding
Australians of its deep and hidden past where racism and
segregation was rampant in outback NSW. … “

– News

ABC: Aboriginal ‘Freedom Ride’ re-enacted along north coast
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/24/3147316.htm?site=indigenous&topic=latest
24 Feb 11: “A famous event that played an role in improving
the quality of life for Aboriginal people, 46 years ago, is
being re-enacted on the mid north coast today. ‘The Freedom
Ride’ is travelling through the region and will be at
Bowraville this morning, February 24. The original
‘Freedom Ride’ journey was in 1965 and travelled across
2300 kilometres of northwest and coastal New South Wales.
One of the organisers of the current event, Kylie Cassidy
says the re-enactment is again raising awareness of
Indigenous issues.”

ABC: Historic ‘Freedom Ride’ re-enactment Bowraville and Kempsey
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/24/3147773.htm?site=indigenous&topic=latest
24 Feb 11: “History will be repeated at Kempsey this
afternoon, February 24, when a busload of students arrives
at the local swimming pool. It is a re-enactment of the
Freedom Ride of 46 years ago which challenged attitudes to
indigenous people. … The Freedom Ride 2011 ends in Sydney
on Saturday, February 26.”

Tenterfield Star: Freedom ride visits Tenterfield
http://www.tenterfieldstar.com.au/news/local/news/general/freedom-ride-visits-tenterfield/2083744.aspx
23 Feb 11: “A BUS re-enacting the famous 1965 “Freedom
Ride” through north-west and coastal NSW has stopped over
in Tenterfield. In February 1965, a group of University of
Sydney students organised the bus tour with the purpose of
drawing public attention to the poor state of Aboriginal
health, education and housing. Activists from the Student
Action for Aborigines (SAFA) toured with the bus to
highlight the socially discriminatory barriers between
white Australians and Aborigines. In 2011, the Freedom Ride
aimed to “acknowledge the past and continue the struggle”.”

Moree Champion: Freedom Ride re-enacted
http://www.moreechampion.com.au/news/local/news/general/freedom-ride-reenacted/2083356.aspx
22 Feb 11: “ON Sunday the Moree pool was full of children,
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, all playing together. But
not so long ago this wouldn’t have been allowed. Prior to
1965 the council had a rule that Indigenous people were
not allowed to enter the town pool. That all changed on
February 20, 1965. Charles Perkins and Sydney university
students visited Moree as part of the Freedom Ride on that
day. The purpose of the Freedom Ride was to point out the
discriminatory barriers between Aborigines and white people.”

ABC: Historic ride re-enacted to highlight Indigenous issues
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/14/3137691.htm?site=indigenous&topic=latest
14 Feb 11: “The steps of an historic bus trip that
highlighted the disadvantage of Aboriginal people across
western New South Wales are being retraced by a group of
students. The original Freedom Ride was organised by
University of Sydney students led by Charles Perkins in
1965. The re-enactment by 30 students from the Central
Coast is in Dubbo today, and will also stop in
Gulargambone, Walgett and Collarenebri. The Aboriginal
Cultural Adviser at Youth Connections which has initiated
the project, Gavi Duncan, says it will celebrate the
achievements of the original journey.”

SBS World News: Students retrace Freedom Ride
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1483522/Students-retrace-Freedom-Rides
13 Feb 11: “A group of high school students is retracing
the journey of the 1965 Freedom Ride, in the hope of
generating constitutional change. Charles Perkins led a
busload of university students through outback New South
Wales in 1965 to confront racism head-on. Now students from
Central Coast High School are retracing these steps in a
bid to generate support for having the original Aboriginal
ownership of Australia recognised in the constitution.”

ACTIVIST JUDE KELLY FROM THE ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSY GIVES UP CITIZENSHIP:

– News

Herald Sun:
Tent embassy activist Jude Kelly gives up citizenship in protest
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/tent-embassy-activist-jude-kelly-gives-up-citizenship-in-protest/story-e6frf7jx-1226006305340
15 Feb 11: “AN Aboriginal tent embassy resident has
renounced her citizenship and declared herself a refugee.
Jude Kelly has given up the right to claim Centrelink or
Medicare benefits as she continues living outside Old
Parliament House in Canberra. The grandmother and member of
the Stolen Generation will also refuse to pay tax as part
of a protest against the treatment of indigenous
Australians in the legal system.”

IMPORTANCE OF BILINGUAL EDUCATION IN REMOTE INDIGENOUS SCHOOLS:

– Interview

ABC Life Matters: Indigenous language education
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lifematters/stories/2011/3136565.htm
14 Feb 11: “The importance of bilingual education in remote
Indigenous schools has become more evident since the
Northern Territory government ruled that classes should be
in English for the first four hours of each day. The
Northern Territory’s Australian of the Year, Michael
Christie, supports a rethink on this policy and says that
we could all benefit from learning something of our first
languages. …
Guests: Professor Michael Christie, Indigenous Languages
Academic, Charles Darwin University:
http://www.cdu.edu.au/research/profiles/profile_christie.html “

– Email Group

Friends of Bilingual Learning
http://groups.google.com/group/foblmail
“Description: Supporters of Bilingual & Multilingual
education, living and learning in the Northern Territory.
Recognising the importance of language in human
development, identity and wellbeing.”

NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION ARTICLES:

– Interview

Guardian Weekly: ‘People wanted it to be made’:
Q&A with Sinem Saban and Damien Curtis
– producers of Our Generation
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/14/our-generation-saban-curtis-willis
14 Feb 11: “Our Generation examines indigenous rights in
Australia through the experiences of the Yolngu community
of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. Largely ignored
by the mainstream media, the documentary offers a rare
glimpse into the issues affecting Australian indigenous
communities. Sinem Saban and Damien Curtis, producers of
Our Generation, talk about the motivation behind the film
and what they hope it will achieve …
Are there a lot of people in Australia who are still
unaware of some of the issues raised in the film?
Sinem: There are other people and groups doing similar
things to what we do, so there is certainly awareness among
those who are interested in indigenous rights. As for
mainstream Australia, most people know about a few of the
big issues that come through the media: usually with no
background information, and often reinforcing the
stereotype. The National Emergency Response was
sensationalised and the media picked it up across the whole
country. The Intervention is even more detrimental when you
line it up with other policies and issues facing indigenous
Australia. However, the media presents indigenous issues
separately, not as one complete picture. When people saw
these issues together in our film, that they were shocked
to see what the bigger picture was revealing.”

“You can get more information about the issues raised in
the film, and buy your own copy of the documentary by going
to the Our Generation website at www.ourgeneration.org.au “

– Media Release

Intervention Rollback Action Group, Mparntwe-Alice Springs:
Exploitation of Aboriginal workers under SIHIP:
Campaigners stand up to Macklin
http://rollbacktheintervention.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/exploitation-of-aboriginal-workers-under-sihip.pdf
2 Feb 11: “The Intervention Rollback Action Group in Alice
Springs will today deliver a letter to Indigenous Affairs
Minister Jenny Macklin from Aboriginal workers who say
they have been exploited under SIHIP.
The letter will be delivered during the opening of a new
temporary accommodation facility in Alice Springs. It
demands Minister Macklin organise back-pay for all work
done on renovation programs, bring all houses up to public
housing standards, provide funding for new houses in all
remote communities and restore housing to Aboriginal
community control.
Indigenous Employment Minister Mark Arbib claimed during
Senate Estimates in November that all work done on SIHIP
by Aboriginal workers is paid at award rates and denied
that workers were paid on the ‘BasicsCard’.
But workers from Amoonguna near Alice Springs say they
were kept on the Community Development Employment Program
(CDEP) during work on SIHIP renovations from June – October
last year. Throughout this period they received Centrelink
pay, half of which was on their ‘BasicsCard’ and only
intermittent ‘top-up’ pay.”

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

– Opinion / Analysis

Solidarity: Unions take up fight against Indigenous housing rort
http://www.solidarity.net.au/32/unions-take-up-fight-against-indigenous-housing-rort/
Feb 11: “The CFMEU, Unions NT and the Intervention Rollback
Action Group have launched a joint petition demanding
justice for Indigenous workers ripped off under the
Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program
(SIHIP). SIHIP is a key component of the federal
government’s Northern Territory Intervention. … But
rather than helping to alleviate the overcrowding, squalid
conditions and unemployment that cripples Aboriginal life
in the NT, the unprecedented investment in SIHIP has only
further disempowered Aboriginal people—and helped line the
pockets of major construction firms and government
bureaucrats.” Paddy Gibson

Online Opinion: ‘Closing the Gap’ Gillard style
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=11632&page=0
16 Feb 11: “Gillard’s characterisation of the problem is
grossly unfair to Aboriginal people and demonstrably
inaccurate … One must wonder who is responsible for the
briefing provided to our Prime Minister, Julia Gillard,
before she gave her “Closing the Gap” speech last week.
Surely targeting a group of our population in a national
address in such a prejudiced way is an extraordinary act
by any leader. … Did anyone brief our Prime Minister on
Northern Territory Aboriginal people and their current
precarious situation with their land having been
compulsorily removed from their control by her Government?
These are people who now live without equity in their own
land. The legislation that treats Northern Territory
Aboriginal families differently to all other Australians,
and which has been roundly condemned by the United Nations
… ” Michele Harris OAM

– Audio

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News 24-02-2011
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-24-02-2011
24 Feb 11: “A leading Australian researcher says he warned
nearly four years ago that the implementation of policies
to move Aboriginal people from outstations to townships
would lead to an unprecedented level of urban migration in
the Northern Territory. … “

CAAMA Radio News 23-02-2011
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-23-02-2011
23 Feb 11: “An award winning indigenous affairs reporter
says the Northern Territory Intervention has been hijacked
and turned into a mode of spying on people in remote
communities. … “

CAAMA Radio News 17-02-2011
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-17-02-2011
17 Feb 11: “A Melbourne based academic who has spent more
than 3 decades working alongside Yanyuwa people people in
the Northern Territory says Gillard Government bureaucrats
aren’t even close in their understanding of how to work
with and alongside Aboriginal people. … “

CAAMA Radio: Malcolm Fraser speaks on CAAMA Radio
http://caama.com.au/malcolm-fraser-speaks-on-caama-radio
15 Feb 11: “Paul Wiles speaks to former Prime Minister of
Australia Malcolm fraser on strong voices about the
Intervention.”

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
Take A Leadership Role says Tangentyere Council
http://caama.com.au/take-a-leadership-role
14 Feb 11: “It’s Time For Political Leaders To Take A
Leadership Role In Partnership With Indigenous Australia
The Intervention (Northern Territory Emergency Response) in
the Northern Territory has created a number of alarming
issues and to a large extent the Aboriginal population in
the Central Australian Region has become disengaged from
any development process with growing signs of increasing
despair and family breakdowns. Mr Walter Shaw, the CEO of
Tangentyere Council today says “The Intervention was
another attempt by the Canberra political and
administrative process to ‘fix the Aboriginal problem’
with a new mantra of ‘Normalisation’. … “

– News

ABC: Aboriginal leaders call for end to intervention
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/27/3150052.htm
27 Feb 11: “Aboriginal leaders in central Australia have
welcomed comments from the man who designed the Northern
Territory intervention, agreeing that it has failed. …
Since Labor won government the intervention has remained in
place, but Mr Brough says Labor has not delivered it
properly. Rosalie Kunoth-Monks from Utopia, 230 kilometres
from Alice Springs agrees, although her agreement with Mr
Brough ends there. … Richard Downs from the Ampilatwatja
community says the entire policy is wrong.”

Australian: Indigenous housing delivers on job goals
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/aboriginal-australia/indigenous-housing-delivers-on-job-goals/story-e6frgd9f-1226011615588
25 Feb 11: “THE Gillard government’s beleaguered indigenous
housing program in the Northern Territory has massively
exceeded its targets for employing local Aborigines, with
307 indigenous employees working in around 60 communities
and town camps.”

SMH: People moving off income management in NT
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/people-moving-off-income-management-in-nt-20110224-1b6w5.html
24 Feb 11: “Almost 2000 welfare recipients in the Northern
Territory have managed to move off income management since
the scheme was rolled out eight months ago. A Senate
estimates hearing has been told that 1754 people have so
far passed strict tests enabling them to avoid
quarantining and pocket their entire welfare cheque.”

Business Spectator: NT welfare program a success: report
http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/N-Territory-welfare-program-a-success-report-pd20110223-ECPND?opendocument&src=rss
24 Feb 11: “Over 1,700 welfare recipients in the Northern
Territory have gone off income management programs in the
past eight months after finding apprenticeships, jobs or
improving their parenting abilities, according to a report
by The Australian. The data tracks welfare patterns since
welfare quarantining was extended from indigenous to
non-indigenous people in the Northern Territory last July,
and reveals that 16,170 people are currently on welfare
support, including 4,000 who have volunteered to take part
in income management initiatives, the report said.”

Australian: ACTU partnership in indigenous campaign
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/actu-partnership-in-indigenous-campaign/story-fn59niix-1226006583222
16 Feb 11: “UNIONS will today follow the lead of big
business and unveil a partnership with indigenous
Australians to improve the lives of Aborigines and Torres
Strait Islanders through decent jobs and sustainable
development. The three-day ACTU Indigenous Conference in
Darwin will also discuss a plan on how to deal with the
Northern Territory Emergency Response targeting alcohol,
violence and child abuse in 73 remote communities.”

BACKGROUND TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION:

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Northern Territory National Emergency Response
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Territory_intervention

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

‘concerned Australians’:
http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/

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

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

IRAG (Intervention Rollback Action Group):
http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/

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

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

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

WGAR (Working Group for Aboriginal Rights):
http://wgar.info/

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27/02/2011 The NT Intervention and the UN Universal Periodic Review of Australia 2011

Posted in NEWSLETTER on 01/03/2011 by D

Contents:
* UN Universal Periodic Review of Australia 2011
* WCC Statement on the Situation of Indigenous Peoples of Australia
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention

UNITED NATIONS:
UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW OF AUSTRALIA 2011

– Special Compilations

Background info:
Human Rights Law Resource Centre:
http://www.hrlrc.org.au/content/universal-periodic-review-of-australia/
“Australia will be reviewed under the Universal Periodic
Review (UPR) on 27 January 2011. The UPR is a mechanism
of the UN Human Rights Council which reviews the human
rights records of all 192 United Nations Member States.
The UPR provides a significant opportunity for the
Australian Government to improve the protection and
promotion of human rights and to fulfil its international
legal obligations. … “

NGO Delegation Updates (16 Feb 2011):
Human Rights Law Resource Centre:
http://www.hrlrc.org.au/content/universal-periodic-review-ngo-delegation-updates/

Stop the Intervention:
Universal Periodic Review of Australia 2011
http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/universal-periodic-review-of-australia-2011

– General info:

http://www.upr-info.org/

– Draft Report of the Working Group (3 Feb 2011)

http://www.hrlrc.org.au/files/Draft-report-on-UPR-of-Australia.doc
or
http://lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/Session10/AU/Australia-A_HRC_WG.6_10_L.8-eng.pdf

– Excerpt from the Joint NGO Submission (July 2010)

http://www.hrlrc.org.au/files/Joint-NGO-Report-UPR-of-Australia-12-July-2010.pdf

“15. Northern Territory Intervention:
The “Northern Territory Emergency Response” intervention
into Aboriginal communities (NTER) suspends the operation
of Australia’s race discrimination legislation and involves
a range of draconian measures targeted directly at
Aboriginal communities. Recent legislative amendments do
not repeal the racially discriminatory aspects of the NTER
and continue to raise significant human rights concerns.
Australia should amend the NTER to remove its
discriminatory elements and ensure compliance with
international human rights. The recommendations in the
Little Children are Sacred report should also be fully
implemented.”

– Excerpt from the Joint NGO Coalition Fact Sheet 7

http://www.hrlrc.org.au/files/UPR-Fact-Sheet-7-Aboriginal-and-Torres-Strait-Islander-Peoples.pdf

“Northern Territory Emergency Response:

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