CONVERGENCE ON CANBERRA ON TUESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2008 - Update 6 Feb
CONVERGENCE ON CANBERRA ON TUESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2008
(Update 6 Feb 08)
Contents:
Update: Calendar of associated events
Appeal from Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra
Community Workshops - with an Open Door policy
Update: National Aboriginal Alliance Meeting in Canberra
The Convergence in the News Media
The NT Intervention in the News Media
- - - - - - - - - -
UPDATE: CALENDAR OF ASSOCIATED EVENTS
The main rally will be on the 12th Feb but there are plenty
of reasons to be in Canberra for longer than that if you can:
EVENTS:
Sunday 10th Feb:
* Assistance with setting up the site for camping and
convergence events.
* Second National Aboriginal Alliance meeting in Old
Parliament House. Details: http://www.tasmedia.org/node/1674
Monday 11th Feb:
There will be community workshops at the Tent Embassy on:
1) Why it is important that Australia implements the UN
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
2) The NT intervention and its affects on aboriginal peoples
with firsthand accounts and related issues;
3) Feedback from the second National Aboriginal Alliance
meeting (being held on the 10th Feb).
Details: http://www.tasmedia.org/node/1676
Tuesday 12th Feb:
Main Rally:
* Meet at 11:30am at Aboriginal Tent Embassy, The Lawns,
Old Parliament House, King George Terrace, Parkes, Canberra.
* Walk to New Parliament House and Rally 1pm
Details: http://www.tasmedia.org/node/1656
Wednesday 13th Feb:
PM Kevin Rudd has announced he will give the Apology to the
Stolen generations on this day. There are also opportunities
for people to meet with politicians (limited numbers)
The rally will be calling on the new government to:
- Reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act
- Demand immediate review of the NT intervention
- End welfare quarantines, compulsory land acquisition and
'mission manager' powers
- Implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples
- Aboriginal control of Aboriginal affairs
Read the full Call Out and endorsements here:
http://www.tasmedia.org/node/1656
Updates of Calendar of associated events:
http://www.tasmedia.org/node/1673
- - - - - - - - - -
APPEAL FROM ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSY IN CANBERRA
Source: Nicky Coles: ncoles@netspeed.com.au
There will be a large gathering of Aboriginal people from
all over Australia at the Tent Embassy from the 10th of
February for the National Convergence on Canberra to
emphasize the need for the government of Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd to reject past failed policies in Aboriginal
affairs and to set a new course for a just future. This
will overlap with the events surrounding the apology to the
Stolen Generations, but the planning for the National
Convergence happened independently and the gathering will
start a few days earlier at the weekend as there will be
meetings and workshops on the 10th and 11th of February
before the main event on the 12th of February.
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy is appealing for the following:
* firewood to be delivered to the Embassy
* donations of barbecue meat, sauce, onions, potatoes,
bread, fruit, cakes, non-alcoholic drinks etc. would be
very welcome in order to provide food for the large
numbers of people expected - just take along to the Embassy
any time from the 9th of February
* billets for older people who are unable to camp at the
Embassy: please ring Nicky Coles on 6247 1025 or email her
at ncoles@netspeed.com.au if you are able to help with beds
* help with transport to and from the Embassy:
same contacts as above
* volunteers of all ages needed at the Embassy for various
jobs such as food production and care of elders - just turn
up and offer help at volunteer desk
Because this is a grassroots initiative it has not so far
received any government funding or assistance (unlike the
events of 13th of February). Yet it is all the more
significant because it shows the capacity of the people to
organize themselves in order to achieve better outcomes.
The Tent Embassy has been an important symbolic and
practical meeting place for Aboriginal peoples since 1972
and has always been important as a place of contact and
welcome for non-Indigenous people also. Please see if you
can give some support at this special moment in the history
of our country.
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy is located on:
The Lawns, opposite Old Parliament House,
King George Terrace, Parkes, Canberra.
- - - - - - - - - -
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS – with an OPEN DOOR POLICY
Monday 11 FEBRUARY 2008
Aboriginal Tent Embassy, Canberra
(with interpreters)
9am-12 UN DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
- adopted by UN General Assembly in September 2007
* understanding the context and content of this UN
Declaration
* need for Federal Government to immediately ratify
(PM Rudd's election promise) and implement this UN
Declaration
12-1pm Lunch break
1-3.30pm OPEN DISCUSSION on NORTHERN TERRITORY
'INTERVENTION'/INVASION and related issues
* Firsthand accounts on impact of Northern Territory
'Intervention'
* Potential spread of 'Intervention' to other States
* Anangu justice in our land (APY lands, South Australia)
* Aboriginal Rights Coalition, Sydney, future events and
strategies
* Other related issues
4-4.45 pm NATIONAL FEEDBACK and DIRECTION
5-5.30pm PLANNING SPEAKER PLATFORM for 12th Feb
5.30-6pm PREPARING MEDIA RELEASE
Workshops contact:
Barbara Shaw 0401291166 and Ellie Gilbert 0421 795 639
Location: Aboriginal Tent Embassy, The Lawns, opposite
Old Parliament House, King George Terrace, Parkes, Canberra
Updates on Community Workshops: http://www.tasmedia.org/node/1676
- - - - - - - - - -
UPDATE: NATIONAL ABORIGINAL ALLIANCE MEETING IN CANBERRA
Source: Les Malezer: les.malezer@gmail.com
REMINDER
The second meeting of the National Aboriginal Alliance will
happen in Canberra on Sunday, 10 February 2008.
Registration of participants will occur at the Old
Parliament House on the day. There is no pre-registration
but any persons, organisations or communities wanting to
give advance notice of attendance can contact Les Malezer
at les.malezer@faira.org.au or by mobile 0419 710720.
CALL FOR DISCUSSION PAPERS, DRAFT NAA STATEMENTS AND
DRAFT NAA RESOLUTIONS
Participants for the second meeting of the National
Aboriginal Alliance, 10 February 2008, are invited to
urgently submit discussion papers, draft NAA statements and
draft NAA resolutions on any of the six topics below. Due
to the large agenda and time constraints of this NAA
meeting these prepared documents may be given priority in
discussions and decisions, subject to the preferences of
the meeting participants. Prepared documents can also mean
more information and make it easier for participants to
digest information.
NOTE: All outcomes from the NAA meeting are intended to be
presented to the participants in the National Convergence
for consideration and response.
For practical reasons documents should be limited to less
than 800 words. These documents should be sent by email
(preferably in ASCII text or MsWord format) to
les.malezer@faira.org.au by COB Friday, 8 February 2008.
Larger documents should be brought by the proponent with
sufficient copies for all participants but please, in this
situation, try to avoid burdening participants with
verbiage ('overabundance of words').
TOPICS
1. NAA meeting, Alice Springs
2. NAA Protocols and Principles
3. NT Invasion
4. Stolen Generations
5. Building a national voice
6. Other Issues
Details of NAA second meeting:
http://nationalaboriginalalliance.org/database/node/22
- - - - - - - - - -
THE CONVERGENCE IN THE NEWS MEDIA
NSW Teachers Federation: Convergence on Canberra - 12 February
http://www.nswtf.org.au/media/latest_2008/20080204_convergence.html
4 Feb 08: "We want to send a strong message to the new
government. The Northern Territory intervention is an abuse
of power by the previous government. We, as Aboriginal
people, need to stand together to be heard as one." Barbara
Shaw, Mt Nancy Camp, near Alice Springs, Northern Territory
CT: Tense countdown to apology Wording may be kept secret
http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/tense-countdown-to-apology-wording-may-be-kept-secret/1173699.html
1 Feb 08: "Protests in Canberra over federal intervention
in the Northern Territory could mar the first ever Welcome
to Country ceremony for the opening of Federal Parliament.
... Meanwhile, a delegation of Aboriginal people from
Central Australia said they would march on Parliament on
Tuesday week demanding an immediate review of the NT
intervention and restoration of the Racial Discrimination
Act."
Age: Nelson seeks to discuss apology wording
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/nelson-seeks-talks/2008/01/31/1201714153305.html
1 Feb 08: "The day before Mr Rudd makes his apology,
demonstrators plan to converge on Canberra to protest
against the government intervention into Northern Territory
Aboriginal communities. Organisers claim endorsement for
their cause from the NSW Reconciliation Council, the NSW
Aboriginal Land Council, the NSW Teachers Federation,
GetUp! and Amnesty International."
ABC: NT Indigenous group wants intervention legislation
repealed
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/31/2151321.htm
31 Jan 08: "They're going down there as angry and sad
people because of what's been happening to them in the
Northern Territory, ... They want to be able to sit down
and talk to politicians because this legislation took not
even one day to pass through Parliament. So we're going
down there to hopefully meet a lot of politicians and tell
them how we feel and why it should be stopped." Barbara
Shaw, the group's leader
ABC: Indigenous group plans lobby against intervention
http://www.abc.net.au/message/news/stories/ms_news_2151656.htm
31 Jan 08: "A delegation of Aboriginal people from Central
Australia will lobby the Federal Government to overturn the
Northern Territory intervention when parliament resumes
next month."
Intervention Rollback Working Group: Convergence on
Canberra against the NT intervention
http://ntne.ws/articles/article.php?id=2673
30 Jan 08: "A delegation of Aboriginal people from Central
Australia will join with people from all around the country
for the opening of Parliament on 12 February. The
nationally organised "Convergence on Canberra" is calling
for an immediate review of the NT Intervention, restoration
of the Racial Discrimination Act, Aboriginal control of
Aboriginal affairs, as well as implementation of the UN
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples."
- - - - - - - - - -
THE NT INTERVENTION IN THE NEWS MEDIA
SMH: Intervention driving up suicide: NT elder
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/intervention-driving-up-suicide-nt-elder/2008/02/03/1201973745484.html
4 Feb 08: "THE head of the most powerful Aboriginal
organisation in the Northern Territory has criticised the
federal intervention in remote indigenous communities,
saying it has increased violence, alcohol abuse and
suicides."
ABC: More police needed in Centralian communities: CLC boss
http://www.abc.net.au/message/news/stories/ms_news_2154114.htm
4 Feb 08: "The Central Land Council says better policing
and education on Aboriginal Land would be more helpful than
removing permits."
ABC: Dodson wants intervention review brought forward
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/02/2152845.htm
2 Feb 08: "Reconciliation Australia co-chairman Mick Dodson
has called on the Federal Government to bring forward its
proposed review of the Commonwealth intervention in the
Northern Territory. Professor Dodson says the parts of the
intervention that breach the Anti-Discrimination Act should be dropped."
SBS: NT intervention 'could prompt calls for another apology'
http://news.sbs.com.au/worldnewsaustralia/nt_intervention_39could_prompt_calls_for_another_apology39_539364
31 Jan 08: "An indigenous group says the NT intervention is
causing dispossession and suffering which may prompt
Aborigines to seek another national apology in the decades
to come."
News.com.au: Pensioners 'caught in welfare error'
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23131824-29277,00.html
30 Jan 08: "SOME pensioners in Alice Springs are being
threatened with having their welfare payments quarantined
because Centrelink assumes they live in town camps, says a
Northern Territory MP."
CONVERGENCE ON CANBERRA ON TUESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2008
(Update 1 Feb 08)
Contents:
New Aboriginal Rights Coalition Website
Media Release
Convergence Calendar of associated events
Transport from Melbourne
Transport from Sydney
Convergence endorsements update
National Aboriginal Alliance meeting on 10 Feb 2008
- - - - - - - - - -
NEW ABORIGINAL RIGHTS COALITION WEBSITE
The initiators of the convergence on Canberra, the
Aboriginal Rights Coalition in Sydney have started a
website. It contains information on the convergence.
Check it out: http://aboriginalrightscoalition.wordpress.com/
- - - - - - - - - -
MEDIA RELEASE
"We don't want to be asking for another apology in 20 years"
http://www.tasmedia.org/node/1670
31 Jan 08: "Support swells for Convergence on Canberra
against the NT intervention on the opening day of
parliament. ... The Convergence on Canberra on Feb 12
against the Northern Territory intervention and for
Aboriginal Rights is gaining significant momentum. Recent
endorsements include the NSW Reconciliation Council, the
NSW Aboriginal Land Council, NSW Teacher's Federation,
GetUp! and Amnesty International. On the day before Kevin
Rudd will say "sorry" to the stolen generations, the
Convergence will stand against the continuing racism and
paternalism underlying policy being rolled out in the NT."
- - - - - - - - - -
CONVERGENCE CALENDAR OF ASSOCIATED EVENTS
Source: Based on email received via ANTaR Vic
The main rally will be on the 12th Feb but there are plenty
of reasons to be in canberra for longer than that if you
can:
EVENTS:
Sunday 10th Feb: assistance with setting up the site for
camping and convergence events. Second National Aboriginal
Alliance meeting in Old Parliament House. Details below.
Monday 11th Feb: community information forums, with
indigneous people from the NT sharing their stories, and
feedback from the second National Aboriginal Alliance
meeting (being held on the 10th feb)
Tuesday 12th Feb: Main Rally: meet at Tent Embassy at
11:30am. Walk to new Parliament house and Rally 1pm
Wednesday 13th Feb: PM Kevin Rudd has announced he will
give the Apology to the Stolen generation on this day.
There are also opportunities for people to meet with
ministers (limited numbers)
The rally will be calling on the new government to:
- Reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act
- Demand immediate review of the NT intervention
- End welfare quarantines, compulsory land acquisition and
'mission manager' powers
- Implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples
- Aboriginal control of Aboriginal affairs
Read the full Call Out and endorsements here:
http://www.tasmedia.org/node/1656
- - - - - - - - - -
TRANSPORT FROM MELBOURNE
Source: Email received via ANTaR Vic
TRANSPORT OPTIONS: Bus, Car Pool or Public Transport
1) BUS: the Alliance for Indigenous Self Determination are
organising TWO buses:
One leaving 10th feb and returning by 5pm on thursday 14th
feb One leaving 11th feb and returning by 5pm on thursday
14th feb
The Cost of the Bus will be $45 PLUS SHARED PETROL COSTS
BETWEEN 8 PEOPLE (up to $40)
IF you require specific consideration re leaving and
returning dates let us know when you book as we may be able
to sort something out.
IF YOU WANT TO BOOK A PLACE ON THE BUS YOU MUST DO SO BY
2PM MONDAY 4TH FEB AT THE LATEST - UNLESS YOU'VE BOOKED AND
PAID BY THIS TIME THEN YOUR SEAT IS NOT GUARANTEED!
Contacts:
Michaela 0429136935
Alyssa 0402680337
Anna 0439891832
PAY UPSTAIRS at Friends of the Earth, 312 Smith St, Fitzroy
If you need financial assistance then let us know.
2) CAR POOL:
Please contact Jacinda or Matt at ANTaR VIC who are
coordinating car pooling - drivers and passangers wanted!
antar@antarvictoria.org.au
67 Brunswick St
Fitzroy VIC 3065
ph (03) 9419 3613
fax (03) 9417 2691
3) PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
The two options are by Vline train to albury and then
greyhound bus to canberra, or bus from melbourne to
canberra.
The cost of these options is around $60 - 80 depending on
concession or full fare.
Check out
to work out the exact cost for you and your dates.
If you need to be picked up from the station in canberra
then please let us know as we may be able to organise this!
ACCOMMODATION:
Accommodation is onsite Camping at the Tent Embassy on
parliament lawns. You need to bring all you own camping
gear - tents, sleeping bag and mat etc. Alternatively
arrange your own accomodation in canberra.
You need to be responsible for you own food. Those car
pooling or on bus will have opportunity to shop in canberra.
There will be a communal kitchen open minimally at the Tent
Embassy. Please bring food to donate/share if you plan on
using this space.
- - - - - - - - - -
TRANSPORT FROM SYDNEY
Source: http://aboriginalrightscoalition.wordpress.com/2008/01/30/update-buses-from-sydney-are-full/
Aboriginal Rights Coalition
UPDATE: BUSES FROM SYDNEY ARE FULL
As of yesterday evening (30th January), the buses from
Sydney are fully booked. You can still book a seat! Any new
bookings will be placed on a waiting list, so keep booking
with us!
If you have access to buses, or know anyone who has, please
get in touch with Janene on 0416 490 481,
Greg on 0432 050 240, or Shane on 0414 077 631.
- - - - - - - - - -
CONVERGENCE ENDORSEMENTS UPDATE
Endorsements from Aboriginal activists include:
Olga Havnen (Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the NT)
Barbara Shaw (Tangentyere council, Alice Springs)
Lez Malezer (Chairman, Global Indigenous People's Caucus UN,
Foundation Aboriginal Islander Rights Association)
Jaquie Katona (CEO of Lumbu Indigenous Community Foundation,
Djok clan)
Michael Mansell (Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre)
Lowjita O'Donaghue
Sam Watson (Brisbane)
Dootch Kennedy (Sandon Point Aboriginal Embassy &
Chair of Illawarra Aboriginal Land Council)
Mitch (Eastern Arrernte/Luritja activist from Alice Springs)
Robbie Thorpe (Melbourne)
Phil Falk (Senior Lecturer School of Law, Griffith Uni,
Wiradjuri nation)
Linda Murphy (Lecturer, School of Arts, Griffith Uni)
Sandra Phillips (QUT)
Nicole Watson (Jumbunna, Sydney)
Heidi Norman (UTS)
Victor Hardt (Oodgeroo, QUT)
Shane Phillips (Redfern)
Michael Anderson (co-founder, Aboriginal Tent Embassy)
Pastor Ray Minniecon (Crossroads Aboriginal Ministries,
Redfern)
Marbuk, Charlie Wilson (Barkendjh)
Peta Ridgeway (Newcastle)
Arthur Ridgeway (Newcastle)
Greg Eatock (Coordinator Deaths in Custody Campaign, Sydney)
Pat Eatock (Secretary, First Aboriginal Tent Embassy)
Tiga Bayles (Brisbane Indigenous Media Association)
Victor Hart (Oodgeroo Noonuccal Centre, Queensland Uni of
Technology)
Larissa Behrendt (Jumbunna)
Linda Murphy (Lecturer School of Arts Griffith University)
Naomi Myers (CEO Aboriginal Medical Service)
Sol Bellear
Christopher Poulsen (Yuendumu)
Harry Nelson (Yuendumu community council)
Supportive Organisations include:
Women for Wik
Amnesty International
GetUp!
NSW Aboriginal Land Council
The NSW Reconciliation Council
Aboriginal Tent Embassy
Indigenous Social Justice Association
ReconciliACTION
Australians for Native Title and Reconcilliation (ANTaR SA)
The Australian Greens
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU NSW)
NSW Teachers Federation
The Maritime Union of Australia (NSW)
Top End Aboriginal Conservation Alliance (TEACA)
Aboriginal Rights Coalition (Sydney)
Intervention Reform Coalition (Darwin)
Intervention Rollback Working Group (Alice Springs)
Alliance for Indigenous Self Determination (Melbourne)
Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Canberra)
Deaths in Custody Watch Committee (WA)
Australian Peace Committee (SA)
Reconciliation for Western Sydney
Convergence contacts in various states:
Greg Eatock (Sydney) 0432050240
Barbara Shaw (NT) 0401291166
On Site at Tent Embassy (Canberra) 0405163183
Michaela (Melbourne) 0429136935
Peta Ridgeway (Newcastle) 0413351584
Sam Watson (Brisbane) 0411274079
Sue Gilbey (Adelaide) 0411411322
Read updates of Call Out & endorsements here:
http://www.tasmedia.org/node/1656
- - - - - - - - - -
NATIONAL ABORIGINAL ALLIANCE MEETING ON 10 FEB 2008
Source: Les Malezer <les.malezer@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2008
National Aboriginal Alliance - 2nd Meeting - 10 February 2008
[Please circulate widely]
Invitation to members and interested parties to attend:
THE SECOND MEETING
NATIONAL ABORIGINAL ALLIANCE
11:00 - 17:00
[Registrations from 09:00]
Sunday, 10 February 2008
Old Parliament House
Canberra
---
All members and participants in the National Aboriginal
Alliance are called to the second meeting to be held in
Canberra on Sunday, 10 February 2008. The venue will be
the Members Dining Room in Old Parliament House. Due to
many factors a casual lunch is included at a cost of $23
per person. Each participant is asked to pay their own
lunch cost, but subsidies for those unable to pay are being
pursued.
(The catering is part of the booking arrangements.)
The venue is booked for 100 persons. If numbers exceed
this amount, delegations will be asked to limit the number
of representatives per organisation, community or region to
ensure fairness and equality.
NOTE: Persons who might find themselves excluded or unable
to participate due to the arrangements should note that the
NAA is intended to be an inclusive organisation and
opportunities will continue to exist to be heard and
considered in all important matters.
This meeting, in particular, is intended to interact with
all persons participating in the National Convergence.
The draft agenda is as follows:
9:00 am - Arrivals and Registrations
11:00 am - Welcome to Country and Opening
11:10 am - Election of Chairs and Secretaries for meeting
11:20 am - Reports and Feedback from NAA meeting, Alice
Springs
11:40 am - Agenda Setting
11:45 am - Circulation of Draft Statements on Protocols
and Principles
11:55 am - NT Invasion
1:00 pm - LUNCH
1:30 pm - Stolen Generations
2:30 pm - Building a national voice
3:30 pm - WORKSHOPS
4:30 pm - Resolutions
5:00 pm - Close
The final agenda will be determined at the NAA meeting.
DISCUSSION PAPERS - As this draft agenda reveals, time will
be limited to debate issues. To streamline the meeting,
discussion papers will be prepared and circulated before
the meeting. Certain resolutions and statements will also
be prepared in advance in anticipation of the views of NAA
members. No draft document will be regarded as a final
version, or pre-commitment, until duly considered at the
NAA meeting.
NATIONAL CONVERGENCE - The timing of the meeting is
intentional to coincide with the national convergence in
Canberra. The NAA statements, protocols and principles will
be presented to the national convergence for support and
feedback. The convergence will also be regarded as an
opportunity to recruit support and commitment to the NAA
and its goals.
NAA EXECUTIVES - Please note also that there are no
officials or representatives speaking on behalf of the NAA
prior to this meeting. The meeting will be asked if it
wants to determine structures and identify NAA
representatives for, at a minimum, the interim period to
the third meeting. The author of this email and
coordinator of the second meeting is Les Malezer -
Email: les.malezer@faira.org.au and Mobile: 0419 710720.
See National Aboriginal Alliance:
http://nationalaboriginalalliance.org/
- - - - - - - - - -
WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)
Subscription to WGAR News is free.
To subscribe, email wgar.news@gmail.com and include the
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words "unsubscribe WGAR News" in the message header.
Earlier post:
We must converge on Canberra: Stand up for Aboriginal rights on the first day of the new parliament. Calling all Aboriginal people and supporters to converge on Canberra on Tuesday, February 12 2008
- Meet Aboriginal Tent Embassy 11:30am
- March to Parliament for 1pm rally
Turn back Howard and Brough's racist legacy!
- Mobilise for reinstatement of the Racial Discrimination Act
- Demand immediate review of the NT intervention
- End welfare quarantines, compulsory land acquisition and 'mission manager' powers
- Implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Aboriginal control of Aboriginal affairs
In the final months of government, John Howard introduced a package of discriminatory, unfair and punitive measures against Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory. Aimed at controlling Aboriginal lives and land, the legislation was a stark violation of basic human rights and dignities.
Federal Labor is promising a new era in Aboriginal affairs. They are pledging to say sorry to the stolen generation and to sign the UN declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. They have promised to restore both the CDEP (Community Development and Employment Program) and the permit system, which will ameliorate some of the worst effects of the NT intervention.
Unfortunately there are aspects of ALP policy that is still disturbingly similar to the Liberals with the added proposal of extending some intervention measures into to Queensland. Plainly discriminatory measures such as mandatory welfare quarantines, compulsory land acquisition and the presence of non-Aboriginal "business managers" with extraordinary powers are being suffered under right now. There has been no move to allow the operation of the Racial Discrimination Act. The cry for immediate review of the legislation coming from across the NT has been ignored.
The Labor Government must comply with accepted international human rights laws and standards of non discrimination, equality , natural justice and procedural fairness. Legislation being implemented in the NT breaches commitments Australia has made as a signatory to major human rights treaties and conventions; such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Human Rights Commission must immediately review the legislation to ensure compliance with these obligations.
The federal election revealed overwhelming opposition to the intervention among Aboriginal communities. When Labor MP's in affected areas emphasised political differences to the Coalition they consistently received over 80% of the vote; with 95% in the town of Wadeye.
Despite government claims that the intervention is a response to the Anderson & Wild "Little Children are Sacred" report, no new community-based services to ensure the safety and protection of children have been established, and there has been a notable duplication of services - particularly in the area of child health checks. There is an urgent need for delivery of essential services, infrastructure and programs genuinely targeted at improving the safety and well being of children and developed in consultation with communities. Huge amounts of public money have been wasted, with $88 million alone going towards bureaucrats to control Aboriginal welfare.
Moving Forward
A vibrant, mass convergence Canberra on the first day of parliament will be an important step in challenging the lingering legacy of Howard's racism. We can strongly push for an immediate end to what Aboriginal communities have themselves described as an invasion. We can send a strong signal to Kevin Rudd and his new government to put Aboriginal rights at the centre of their agenda; to massively increase the resources available to communities across Australia and to respect Aboriginal control of Aboriginal affairs.
Initiated by the Aboriginal Rights Coalition, Sydney
Contact: Shane Phillips 0414077631, Greg Eatock 0432050240
Endorsements from Aboriginal activists include:
Olga Havnen (Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the NT)
Barbara Shaw (Tangentyere council, Alice Springs)
Lez Malezer (Chairman, Global Indigenous People's Caucus UN,
Foundation Aboriginal Islander Rights Association)
Jaquie Katona (CEO of Lumbu Indigenous Community Foundation, Djok clan)
Michael Mansell (Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre)
Lowjita O'Donaghue
Sam Watson (Brisbane)
Dootch Kennedy (Sandon Point Aboriginal Embassy & Chair of Illawarra Aboriginal Land Council)
Mitch (Eastern Arrernte/Luritja activist from Alice Springs)
Robbie Thorpe (Melbourne)
Phil Falk (Senior Lecturer School of Law, Griffith Uni, Wiradjuri nation)
Linda Murphy (Lecturer, School of Arts, Griffith Uni)
Sandra Phillips (QUT)
Nicole Watson (Jumbunna, Sydney)
Heidi Norman (UTS)
Victor Hardt (Oodgeroo, QUT)
Shane Phillips (Redfern)
Michael Anderson (co-founder, Aboriginal Tent Embassy)
Pastor Ray Minniecon, Crossroads Aboriginal Ministries, Redfern.
Marbuk, Charlie Wilson (Barkendjh)
Peta Ridgeway (Newcastle)
Arthur Ridgeway (Newcastle)
Greg Eatock (Coordinator Deaths in Custody Campaign, Sydney)
Pat Eatock (Secretary, First Aboriginal Tent Embassy)
Tiga Bayles (Brisbane Indigenous Media Association)
Victor Hart (Oodgeroo Noonuccal Centre, Queensland Uni of Technology)
Larissa Behrendt (Jumbunna)
Linda Murphy (Lecturer School of Arts Griffith University)
Naomi Myers (CEO Aboriginal Medical Service)
Sol Bellear
Christopher Poulsen (Yuendumu)
Harry Nelson (Yuendumu community council)
Supportive Organisations include:
Women for Wik
Amnesty International
Aboriginal Tent Embassy
Indigenous Social Justice Association
Australians for Native Title and Reconcilliation (ANTaR SA)
The Australian Greens
The Maritime Union of Australia (NSW)
Aboriginal Rights Coalition (Sydney)
Intervention Reform Coalition (Darwin)
Intervention Rollback Working Group (Alice Springs)
Alliance for Indigenous Self Determination (Melbourne)
Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Canberra)
Deaths in Custody Watch Committee (WA)
Australian Peace Committee (SA)
Canberra, Aboriginal Tent Embassy, then Parliament House
