Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, James Anaya, as he concludes his visit to Australia
Canberra/Geneva, 27 August 2009
Download Statement of Special Rapporteur here
The Government of Australia is to be commended for taking significant steps to improve the human rights and socio-economic conditions of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia, as well as for its recent expression of support for United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and for its apology to the victims of the Stolen Generation. After several days in Australia listening and learning, however, I have observed a need to develop new initiatives and reform existing ones— in consultation and in real partnership with indigenous peoples—to conform with international standards requiring genuine respect for cultural integrity and self-determination.
Over the past 11 days, I have met with Government authorities, representatives of indigenous communities and organisations, and others, in Canberra, South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales. I have visited a number of indigenous communities in both remote and urban areas, and have collected information from several sources. I would like to express my appreciation for the support of the Government and to the indigenous individuals and organisations that provided indispensible support in planning and coordinating the visit. I would also like to express my appreciation to the United Nations Information Centre. While I must now take some time to review and analyse the substantial amount of information I have received, and to follow up with further exchanges of information with the Government, indigenous peoples of Australia, and other sources, I would like to provide here a few preliminary observations.
During my time in Australia, I have been impressed with demonstrations of strong and vibrant indigenous cultures and have been inspired by the strength, resilience and vision of indigenous communities determined to move toward a better future despite having endured tremendous suffering at the hands of historical forces and entrenched racism. It is clear that these historical forces continue to make their presence known today, manifesting themselves in serious disparities between indigenous and non-indigenous parts of society, including in terms of life expectancy, basic health, education, unemployment, incarceration, children placed under care and protection orders, and access to basic services.
Given these disparities, the Government has developed and implemented a number of important initiatives in order to “close the gap” of indigenous disadvantage within a wide range of social and economic areas, with a stated emphasis on women and children, and these programmes must continue to be improved and strengthened. I would also like to stress that I have learned of numerous programmes in place by indigenous authorities and organisations at the local, regional and national levels that have been working effectively to address the many problems that their communities face.
Aspects of the Government’s initiatives to remedy situations of indigenous disadvantage, however, raise concerns. Of particular concern is the Northern Territory Emergency Response, which by the Government’s own account is an extraordinary measure, especially in its income management regime, imposition of compulsory leases, and community-wide bans on alcohol consumption and pornography. These measures overtly discriminate against aboriginal peoples, infringe their right of self-determination and stigmatize already stigmatized communities.
I would like to stress that affirmative measures by the Government to address the extreme disadvantage faced by indigenous peoples and issues of safety for children and women are not only justified, but they are in fact required under Australia’s international human rights obligations. However, any such measure must be devised and carried out with due regard of the rights of indigenous peoples to self-determination and to be free from racial discrimination and indignity.
In this connection, any special measure that infringes on the basic rights of indigenous peoples must be narrowly tailored, proportional, and necessary to achieve the legitimate objectives being pursued. In my view, the Northern Territory Emergency Response is not. In my opinion, as currently configured and carried out, the Emergency Response is incompatible with Australia’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, treaties to which Australia is a party, as well as incompatible with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, to which Australia has affirmed its support.
I note with satisfaction that a process to reform the Emergency Response is currently underway and that the Government has initiated consultations with indigenous groups in the Northern Territory in this connection. I hope that amendments to the Emergency Response will diminish or remove its discriminatory aspects and adequately take into account the rights of aboriginal peoples to self determination and culture integrity, in order to bring this Government initiative in line with Australia’s international obligations. Furthermore, I urge the Government to act swiftly to reinstate the protections of the Racial Discrimination Act in regard to the indigenous peoples of the Northern Territory.
Beyond the matter of the Northern Territory Emergency Response, I am concerned that there is a need to incorporate into government programmes a more holistic approach to addressing indigenous disadvantage across the country, one that is compatible with the objective of the United Nations Declaration of securing rights for indigenous peoples, and addresses not just social and economic wellbeing, but also the integrity of indigenous communities and cultures, and their self-determination.
This approach must involve a real partnership between the Government and the indigenous peoples of Australia, to move towards a future, as described by Prime Minister Rudd in his apology to indigenous peoples last year, that is “based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility,” and that is also fully respectful of the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples to maintain their distinct cultural identities, languages, and connections with traditional lands, and to be in control of their own destinies under conditions of equality.
Given what I have learned thus far, it would seem to me that the objectives of the closing the gap campaign, the Emergency Response, and other current initiatives and proposed efforts of the Government will be best achieved in partnership with indigenous peoples’ own institutions and decision-making bodies, which are those that are most familiar with the local situations. It is worth stressing that during my visit, I have observed numerous successful indigenous programmes already in place to address issues of alcoholism, domestic violence, health, education, and other areas of concern, in ways that are culturally appropriate and adapted to local needs, and these efforts need to be included in and supported by the Government response, both logistically and financially. In particular, it is essential to provide continued funding to programmes that have already demonstrated achievements.
I did observe a number of Government partnerships with local initiatives that appear to be succeeding, but I also heard many accounts of situations in which Government programmes fail to take into account existing local programmes already in place, hampering their ultimate success. In this connection, I am concerned about any initiatives that duplicate or replace the programmes of Aboriginals and Torres Straight Islanders already in place, or that undermine local decision-making through indigenous peoples’ own institutions. In addition, international human rights norms, including those contained in the United Nations Declaration, affirmatively guarantee the right of indigenous peoples to participate fully at all levels of decision- making in matters which may affect their rights, lives and destinies, as well as to maintain and develop their own decision-making institutions and programmes. Further, adequate options and alternatives for socio-economic development and violence prevention programmes should be developed in full consultation with affected indigenous communities and organisations.
It is also necessary to ensure the meaningful, direct participation of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples in the design of programmes and policies at the national level, within a forum that is genuinely representative of the rights and interests of indigenous peoples. In this regard, I welcome the initiative that is supported by the Government to move towards development of a model for a new national indigenous representative body and emphasise that indigenous participation in the development of this body is fundamental.
At the same time, I would like to echo the statements I have heard from indigenous leaders of the need for indigenous peoples themselves to continue to strengthen their own organisational and local governance capacity, in order to meet the challenges faced by their communities, and in this connection I note the importance of restoring or building strong and healthy relationships within families and communities.
I would also note a need to move deliberately to adopt genuine reconciliation measures, such as the proposed recognition of the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples in a charter of rights to be included in the Constitution. I am pleased that the Government has expressed its willingness in this regard, and I urge it to provide a high priority to this initiative. As has been stressed to me by the indigenous representatives with whom I have met, constitutional recognition and protection of the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples would provide a measure of long-term security for these rights, and provide an important building block for reconciliation and a future of harmonious relations between indigenous and non-indigenous parts of Australian society.
Furthermore, it is important to note that securing the rights of indigenous peoples to their lands is of central importance to indigenous peoples’ socio- economic development, self-determination, and cultural integrity. Continued efforts to resolve, clarify, and strengthen the protection of indigenous lands and resources should be made. In this regard, government initiatives to address the housing needs of indigenous peoples, should avoid imposing leasing or other arrangements that would undermine indigenous peoples’ control over their lands. I also urge the Government to comply with the recommendations concerning indigenous lands and resources made by the treaty-monitoring bodies of the United Nations, including the recommendation of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to advance in discussions with Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders about possible amendments to the Native Title Act and finding solutions acceptable to all.
Finally, I would like to reiterate the importance of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for framing and evaluating legislation, policies, and actions that affect the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Peoples. The Declaration expresses the global consensus on the rights of indigenous peoples and corresponding state obligations on the basis of universal human rights. I recommend that the Government undertake a comprehensive review of all its legislation, policies, and programmes that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in light of the Declaration.
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Media release *For immediate release 26 May 2009* Media Release
National support for Tangentyere Council’s strong stand against takeover
This morning the Intervention Rollback Action Group (IRAG) met with the Tangentyere Executive Council to inform them of the national support building for the Council’s decision to stand strong against the federal government’s lease deal and takeover of their town camps.
“The government’s justification for the takeover is to improve the situation in Alice Springs town camps, but in two years of the intervention not a single house has been built despite the so-called emergency. Every community needs housing and services immediately, but people shouldn’t be forced to sign over their land” said Lauren Mellor from the Intervention Rollback Action Group.
“The government is trying to blackmail Indigenous communities by denying people basic services unless they sign long term leases and give away their lands. The government is hoping their unjust actions to take over Aboriginal land and close homelands will go unnoticed by non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians. This is not the case” said Pru Gell from the Intervention Rollback Action Group.
The executive was read a statement opposing the Federal Government’s takeover that is being widely circulated and endorsed nationally by organisations and individuals titled Statement Opposing the Commonwealth’s Proposal to Compulsorily Acquire the Alice Springs Town Camps.
Extracts from the statement read:
“We recognize the right of Tangentyere Council and town camp residents to self-determination. Town camp residents have called upon governments to address overcrowding and poverty in their communities over several years. More often than not, their demands have been ignored.”
“We recognize the long struggle for land by both town camp residents and Aboriginal land holders throughout Australia. We condemn the Federal Government’s policy of withholding funding for desperately needed housing in Aboriginal communities, before Aboriginal people relinquish control of their land.”
“It is disgraceful that the party who championed the first land rights legislation in Australia is holding impoverished Aboriginal communities to ransom. We offer our full support to the Tangentyere Council in their struggle.”
A large delegation of town camp presidents and residents from town camps, communities and homelands will be travelling to Darwin for the third Prescribed Area People’s Alliance (PAPA) meeting in June. The meeting will shape their response to the Northern Territory and Federal government’s push for assimilation, denial of Aboriginal people’s rights to self-determination and the continued takeover of Aboriginal land.
A rally of town camp residents and supporters, targeting both the NT government and federal government over its announcement of homelands closures and the compulsory acquisition of Alice Springs town camps, will take place on Thursday this week in Alice Springs.
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NT DELEGATION TO CHALLENGE INCOME MANAGEMENT
12 January 2009
NT Aboriginal delegation to challenge Income Management in Canberra
A delegation of Aboriginal people from “prescribed areas” in the Northern Territory will challenge the “quarantining” of their Centrelink entitlements while in Canberra for a protest convergence.
The group will leave from Alice Springs on January 28. They will join with supporters from around the country for a convergence against the NT Intervention and for Aboriginal rights, culminating in a major demonstration on Tuesday February 3, the opening day of parliament.
While in Canberra, delegates on the “Income Management” system imposed by the Intervention will be forced to negotiate with Centrelink to have 50% of their entitlements distributed as store cards or deposited as credit in Canberra shops.
The delegation argues that these measures are in breach of legislative protections against discrimination that exist in the ACT. These include the Human Rights Act 2004, which establishes a “bill of rights” for the ACT.
A letter requesting support has been sent to the ACT Human Rights Commission and the group is seeking legal advice.
Delegation leaders say that the Income Management policy is racist, onerous and forcing them into further poverty.
Barbara Shaw, resident of Mt Nancy Town Camp and member of the Intervention Rollback Action Group and the Prescribed Area People’s Alliance, says the Income Management system has made her poorer and is losing her money:
“Before Income Management we had the voluntary Centrepay system. I was in control of my money and always in credit on my bills because I nominated a certain amount myself. Income Management hasn’t paid enough to my bills. Now, I’ve fallen way back. So they’re going to repossess my fridge. So when I go shopping with my ‘basics card’, where am I supposed to put my food?” said Ms Shaw.
“For the last 3 weeks Income Management has misplaced $70 food vouchers supposed to go to the Tangentyere shop. It’s happening to a lot of people that Centrelink is losing their money. I am supposed to get a voucher every week out of both payments – out of my family allowance and out of my parenting payments”.
“When we are in Canberra we will be demanding our human rights and demanding all our money is paid to us in cash”, concluded Ms Shaw.
Valerie Martin, Yuendumu resident and member of the Prescribed Area People’s Alliance, says that the Income Management system makes it particularly hard to travel and is calling for all supporters of Aboriginal rights to join the protests in Canberra:
“We need support, more and more, whoever feels that this Intervention is wrong. We want to see many people come out to support us and hear our voices. It’s really bad how they’re treating us, taking away our rights. With the quarantining we are struggling to get the money to survive. My daughter has been sick in the hospital in Adelaide – but because our moneys are quarantined I’ve had to battle hard, even for basic things like doing our washing. How are people supposed to survive?”
Marlene Hodder, from the Intervention Rollback Action Group, is working to support the delegation traveling to Canberra:
“Income management is a nightmare for many people. Most Aboriginal people know how to manage their money and their lives. Agencies need to work with people who have problems and need support, instead of the government wasting millions of dollars on imported Centrelink and other government workers. Taxpayers’ money is being wasted whilst Aboriginal people’s lives are becoming harder.”
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Laynhapuy Homelands Association
MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, 21 May 2008
No future for Yolngu living on homelands
The Northern Territory government’s A Working Future policy has left most Yolngu living on traditional lands without one.
Speaking on behalf of the Laynhapuy Homelands Association, Ms Yananymul Mununggurr said the new policy has shown the NT government has either refused, or is unable, to fully understand the cultural significance of homelands.
“Just days after the release of a ground breaking report outlining the major health benefits to Yolngu living on country1, the NT government announces a policy that relegates our homelands to third world conditions, if not extinction.
“We see this as a major betrayal of the trust of our people,” Ms Mununggurr said.
“We’ve been engaged in ‘consultation’ that has yet again proved meaningless.
“Where is the economic modeling, the data collection or cost-benefit analyses recommended by the NTG’s own consultant, Mr Patrick Dodson, in establishing these new town centres?
“Nowhere.”
Ms Mununggurr said members of the Association were surprised at the inclusion of Papunya as one of the NT government’s twenty “growth centres” that will now be fully serviced and funded towns.
“We heard the Chief Minister Paul Henderson (on ABC Radio 105.7 Drive 20.5.09) say these 20 towns they’ve selected are the biggest in the NT.
“But that’s not true. Their own information says so.”
According to the NTG Bush Telegraph website, Beswick (Wugularr) community has an estimated population of 450 compared to Papunya with an estimated 342 people.2
“If you add Barunga to Wugularr, which is what government departments do considering the 30km distance between them, there’s a combined population of around 800, so why did they miss out while Papunya is included?
“There doesn’t seem to be a lot of thought behind this policy.
“The decision not to fund new housing for our homelands condemns Yolngu to further overcrowding, declining living conditions and ultimately the extinguishment of our traditional culture.
“How does that fit with the recent Rudd Labor Government’s signing of the UN Rights of Indigenous Peoples?”
For further information: Yananymul Mununggurr 0447 827 027
1 www.cdu.edu.au/ser/documents/HCHPMediaRelease.pd
2 www.bushtel.nt.gov.au/northern_territory/community_search_display?comm_num=131
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“HUMAN RIGHTS FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN AUSTRALIA IS A FARCE”
Media Release: 22 December 2008
People from NT Aboriginal communities are preparing to take their protest directly to the federal government on the first day of parliament, February 3 2009.
On 7 November 2008 the Prescribed Area People’s alliance, whose meetings have involved over 150 people living under the Intervention, issued a statement:
“The NTER must be immediately repealed… We call for everyone who supports Aboriginal rights to converge on Canberra for the opening of Parliament in 2009″.
The convergence has been endorsed by the full council of Central Land Council, the key representative body for the 24,000 Aboriginal people living across the region.
Planning is taking place with Aboriginal rights organisations and activists around the country for two days of workshops and discussion at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra on February 1 and 2 before a major rally on Tuesday February 3.
The NT delegation is also planning to meet with politicians to lobby for repeal of the Intervention laws and substantially increased funding for community controlled services.
Valerie Martin from Yuendumu said, “We need support, more and more, whoever feels that this Intervention is wrong. We want to see many people come out to support us and hear our voices. It’s really bad how they’re treating us, taking away our rights. With the quarantining we are struggling to get the money to survive. My daughter has been sick in the hospital in Adelaide – but because our moneys are quarantined I’ve had to battle hard, even for basic things like doing our washing. How are people supposed to survive?”
Elaine Peckham from the Iwupataka Land Trust and the Intervention Rollback Action Group said, “We’ve already been through many struggles, for land rights, for native title. Now we have the Intervention which has taken control of our communities in the Centre. It’s very discriminatory and very hurtful. It’s like a big cloud over us. It’s time for us to say enough is enough, we need to start getting together and talk up – not on our own but as a voice with everyone else strong and loud. We can not sit back and let others take control of our lives. It’s going to keep continuing if we don’t speak up and let our voices be heard out there”.
15 December 2008
People from Central Australia are calling on the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, to sign theUnited Nations’ Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, after she publicly supported its principles in a speech at the World Indigenous Peoples’ conference on education in Melbourne on Thursday the 11th of December.
Barbara Shaw, organiser for the Human Rights Day rally in Alice Springs which was held on SaturdayDecember 13th, asked “Why support something in principle if you’re not committed to carrying it out?”
Ms Shaw also backed Indigenous leader Patrick Dodson in his recent criticisms of influential Indigenous spokespeople Warren Mundine, Marcia Langton and Noel Pearson. “Why is Macklin listening to only 3 handpicked Aboriginal advisers , who aren’t even living in the Northern Territory? They are no Aboriginal leaders of ours. And yet they are advising the government on racist policy that does not affect them.
“What Jenny Macklin needs to do is actually come out to the Territory and sit down and talk to each andevery person in all of the 73 prescribed communities, and see how the Intervention is affecting us. We are living below the poverty line as it is. We live in 3rd world conditions.
“We’re being denied our human rights,” Ms Shaw added.
More than 200 people attended the rally and concert in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) on the weekend, which was part of a national day to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Performers included Warren H Williams, Sunshine Reggae Band (Ikuntji) and Simpson Desert Band (Titjikala).
Rallies were also held in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane to oppose the Human Rights violations enacted in NT Intervention legislation..
Harry Jakamarra Nelson from Yuendumu, who spoke at the Mparntwe rally said “Aboriginal people have come full circle from ration days and assimilation to self determination and land rights. Now the government is taking us back to ration days again and managing our lives.”
Phillip Wilyuka from Titjikala stated clearly: “Intervention is a interfering with Anangu life, with Aboriginal life. Let’s get together as Aboriginal people.. .get up and go to Kevin Rudd and say, where is the promise, where is the sorry that you have said to Aboriginal people? These are the issues that we need to bring up, face to face, coming together as all Anangu people.
“Lets get behind one another and stand strong and be counted.” Mr Wilyuka concluded.
The rally was organised by the Intervention Rollback Action Group and supported by the Central Land Council Full Council.
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NT government outstations policy condemned
2/12/08
A protest will be held today against the outstations policy recently released by the NT government.
The protest will take place at 1pm on Tuesday December 2nd outside the Centre for Appropriate Technology on Priest St, Alice Springs, before a 2pm public consultation on the policy hosted by the NT government.
Outstations residents and Aboriginal rights campaigners are concerned that the proposed policy changes will force many people to leave their homelands and move into urban centres.
Changes include a moratorium on housing construction on outstations and cut backs in the resources currently provided to homelands.
Elaine Peckham, resident of an Iwupataka Land Trust outstation and IRAG member said, “The NT government is taking the same approach with their outstations policy that we have seen through the NT Intervention. They are disrespecting people and taking away from Aboriginal people basic rights to services expected by all other Australians. We are like second class citizens.”
“Income management has already made it harder to live on our outstations. All these changes have had a big impact on people’s lives and we don’t feel like we have a voice. We need our service providers to be fully funded so we have that voice – the government needs to listen to us”.
“By saying only some outstations will receive services they are playing that divide and rule again. The NT government is also taking control of tenancy management away from the community. We are facing rent increases that I can’t afford as a pensioner”, concluded Elaine Peckham.
Barbara Shaw, from Mt Nancy town camp and IRAG said, “My family was handed back native title to their country in 1988 and now we will have to fight for the right to stay on that country. With the Intervention it’s bad enough – people always have to come into town for Centrelink, or have no money for basic needs, like diesel for the generator”.
“Outstations have never been properly funded. Many kids want to go to school, but there is no funding for buses that have been requested for a long time”, concluded Barbara Shaw.
Paddy Gibson from the IRAG said, “This is the latest in a string of policies from the NT government aimed at assimilation of Aboriginal people”.
“They have used the Intervention to seize control of community housing and are denying Aboriginal children the right to speak their own language in schools. They are denying new housing to all but a handful of communities and are trying to force them to sign away their land for many generations. Racism and forced migration will not close the gap”, concluded Paddy Gibson.
For more information contact:
Barbara Shaw 0401291166 Paddy Gibson 0415800586
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MEDIA RELEASE OCTOBER 27, 2008
Today, Monday October 27th, Harry Nelson, former Yuendumu Council President, presented Minister for Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin with a statement signed by 236 residents in a meeting at the community before the Minister opened the new pool, funding of which predates the intervention.
The statement read:
‘We, the residents of Yuendumu, want you to listen to the following statement and take our message back to the Federal and NT Governments:
When John Howard and Mal Brough lost their seats, we were happy. But now you are doing the same thing to us, piggybacking Howard and Brough’s policies, and we feel upset, betrayed and disappointed.
We don’t want this intervention!
We talked to the Review board, and now the Government is not even listening to the report, and is keeping this intervention going almost unchanged. It is an insult to us.
This is our land. We want the Government to give it back to us. We want the Government to stop blackmailing us. We want houses, but we will not sign any leases over our land, because we want to keep control of our country, our houses, and our property.
We say NO to income management. We can look after our own money.
We want the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 reinstated now, not in 12 months.
The Government Business Manager is useless, expensive, and we don’t need them. We want our community councils back instead. We want community control, not Shires. We don’t want more police, we don’t want more contractors, we don’t want more government people.
Everything is coming from the outside, from the top down. The government is abusing us with this intervention. We want to be re-empowered to make our own decisions and control our own affairs. We want self-determination. We want support, funding and resources for things coming from our community, from the inside.
Yuendumu has a lot of things to be proud of. Our community programs, like the Mt Theo program, the bilingual education program, Warlpiri media, the Old People’s program, Warlukurlunga arts centre, childcare, the youth program, should be supported, celebrated, and used as a model for other communities.
We want to keep our bilingual education program and use our own language to teach English, maths, and other things in schools.
We want you to give us respect and dignity, and stop telling lies about our people.
We want the Government to listen to us, talk with us, consult with us, and do things proper way.’
Peggy Brown, in her welcome to country at the pool opening, talked up strong in defense of Yapa country, in reference to Government pressure to sign leases over the community or housing stock in exchange for housing.
This is our land,’ she said. ‘Government gotta support yapa. We want to keep control of our land.’
‘I will not rest until these issues are sorted out,’ said Mr Nelson, after presenting the statement. ‘Jenny Macklin did not properly read the statement and respond, so we will be expecting a formal response from her.’
For more information, contact: Harry Nelson; Peggy Brown; Valerie Martin; Robbie Wallit;
c/o Yuendumu Mining Co. <SKYPETMPTAG2/>
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MEDIA RELEASE: OCTOBER 24, 2008
Prescribed Area People’s Alliance condemns Macklin, says Intervention widening the gap
“Far from protecting women and children, the Intervention is creating more vulnerability and disadvantage in NT Aboriginal communities. The Intervention measures do not offer protection but continue unwanted paternalistic control” said Barbara Shaw, a mother of four, from the ‘prescribed’ area Mt Nancy Town Camp, Alice Springs.
At an International Indigenous Solidarity Conference this weekend in Melbourne, NT Aboriginal people will call for an immediate end to the NT Intervention and the implementation of the 97 recommendations of the Little Children Are Sacred Report. They bring south the demands of a ‘Prescribed Area People’s Alliance’ meeting in Alice Springs on September 29, which saw over 100 people from affected areas come together against the Intervention.
“The Intervention has done nothing good for Aboriginal people. Intervention money is not going towards Aboriginal communities but white bureaucrats. There is still no employment, no training and our children are still disadvantaged” said James Gaykamangu a senior Yolngu elder from Millingimbi.
“This Intervention is no good. Its not working for the kids, the kids are missing out. Its harder for families with Income Management. Its harder to get food since the Intervention. When the food runs out, we have to turn to our family members”, said Mark Lane from Kalumpulpa community 110kms outside Tennant Creek.
“The Intervention is displacing people with drinking problems, forcing them km’s from their communities, putting them in unsafe situations. We need a safe living area where can look after each other”, said Diane Stokes from Tennant Creek.
“Too much authority has been taken away from Indigenous people. Too much racial discrimination. Jenny Macklin needs to understand this intervention isn’t closing the gap, its widening the gap” James Gaykamangu said.
“We have our own system of government, our own customary law that works for our people. The government must deal with issues proper way, with respect and understanding. We need to work together, Aboriginal people and the government as partners. We don’t want a second apology for this Intervention” Mr Gaykamangu continued.
Ronnie Agnew, President of Knuckeys Lagoon Town Camp Darwin “We’ve already waited over 12 months for the reinstatement of the Racial Discrimination Act. 12 months more is too long, we want an immediate end to this racist Intervention. Each community has different needs and the government must stop this one size fits all approach and work with each community to address those needs”.
Media contacts: Barbara Shaw <SKYPETMPTAG1/> James Gaykamangu <SKYPETMPTAG2/>
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Media Release-October 11, 2008
“Terrorist” style police raid in Alice Springs town camp – Intervention blamed, protest planned
On the night of Thursday October 9, a large number of police participated in a raid of the Kunoth town camp in Alice Springs. Residents say that the raid has terrified the local community.
Police jumped over fences to enter the camp, displayed rifles, pushed and abused residents and trained a laser on the chest of one man.
Police claimed they were looking for weapons, following a tip off from the fire brigade that there were guns in a car that drove back to the camp. A miniature toy gun was later found on the dashboard of the car (photo attached – higher resolution photo available on request).
The NT Intervention is being blamed for the incident. Police have been given new powers to enter “prescribed areas” without warrant many police have been brought into town who have no experience dealing with local communities.
This criticism comes following accusations that heavy-handed behaviour by Intervention police was responsible for the death of a young man in Arnhem Land last week. NT Justice Minister Chris Burns and the Australian Police Federation have also recently criticised Intervention police for culturally insensitive behaviour.
Local residents, along with the Intervention Rollback Action Group, will stage a protest outside the Alice Springs police station on Monday October 13 at 9am, before the delivery of an official complaint to the police.
“There was a big mob of police here. They come running in like they were looking for terrorists. We’ve never had that here before. I have a heart condition and my parents too”, said Donald Kunoth, vice-president of Kunoth town camp
“Apparently there were guns stolen in Alice Springs earlier in the week. And they just assumed it was our Aboriginal kids. Its so scary to see your kids get harassed like that. At gun-point. One of them could have been shot by accident. They even had bullet proof vests on. Lights were shining into the camp from outside and that blinded us. What if someone came walking out with a stick? They could of been shot”, concluded Donald Kunoth.
“We were just watching a TV program about the death in Arnhem Land after police actions. Little did we know it was going to happen in our yard”, said Maxine Carlton from Kunoth town camp.
“One copper that I took in to search the rooms was stationed in Alice and he said to me ‘we know you mob Kunoth family that live in this block, we know you mob sort your own problems out’. That’s why I think it’s the Intervention cops who organised raid, like Chris Burns said, they get chucked in there and they don’t have the training. We’re not living freely like we used to in our town camps, you know, we have to keep looking over our shoulders”, concluded Maxine Carlton.
“We’ve got two out there also at Utopia from this Intervention thing…they don’t know what they’re doing out there. They don’t know what they’re role is, they don’t know who to talk to, they don’t ask either, the Intervention just put them there and that’s it. That’s how that one died up there in Arnhem Land. They don’t know who to talk to”, said Eva Kunoth from Utopia, who witnessed the raid.
“This little girl was sleeping and the police just came in and shake the humpy (where little girl is sleeping), and we live in the humpy, the police come in with rifles, pointing them at my uncle, they was like a sniper with red light, laser come on his chest, pointed, just for no reason. Like soldiers, just like a soldier”, said Robbie Petrick from Kunoth town camp
“The local cops come in and ask where the grog is hidden, and we just tell them the others, Intervention mob, they just come raging in you know. Its just outrageous. Disgrace”, said Josephine Thompson from Kunoth town camp.
“We need human rights you know. That’s why we feel sad. Its been just like we been chained up again, like our ancestors did in the past. They were chained up and dragged like animals. We don’t want that to happen again, for our children, and their children you know. We gotta stand for our rights”, concluded Josephine Thompson.
“The Intervention was supposed to protect children. But the children are more scared now because of these police. I have been calling the Intervention an invasion since the start. And now here it is – they invaded our community”, said Valerie Martin from Kunoth town camp.
A protest will be held outside the Alice Springs police station on Monday October 13 at 9am.
For more information call:
Maxine Carlton 0417854790. Maxine can arrange interviews with others from Kunoth Town camp.
Paddy Gibson 0415800586. Paddy can arrange interviews with others from Kunoth town camp.
Barbara Shaw 0402291166. Spokesperson for the Intervention Rollback Action Group, Alice Springs
Eva Kunoth with toy gun
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Media release- October 9, 2008
Segregated service delivery demonstrates racism of Intervention
The Alice Springs Intervention Rollback Group (IRAG) has today criticised the Intervention’s ‘income management’ system for creating racially segregated service delivery in Alice Springs. They argue that this demonstrates clearly the underlying racism of the Intervention.
Aboriginal people from areas ‘prescribed’ under the Intervention are being forced to line up in a separate queue in the Foodland IGA supermarket on Lindsay Ave, when attempting to shop with the newly introduced ‘Basics Card’. One register has been marked with a computer printed sign that reads’
“ATTENTION CUSTOMERS – BASICS CARD – CAN ONLY BE USED AT THIS REGISTER”. (image attached)
Barbara Shaw, from IRAG and Mt Nancy town camp said, “Aboriginal Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin says that this new basics card ‘makes it easier to buy essential items’, well why doesn’t she try and do her shopping on this card?”
“We need our full entitlements in cash. I still am restricted from buying what my family needs. There is no way we can check our balance on the card without getting shops to ring up Centrelink. This is creating tension and fostering more racism in the town of Alice Springs as customers get angry and call for separate queues like the one we discovered today at Eastside shops”.
“Our Senator Warren Snowden argues the ’system is working well’, is racially segregated service delivery his idea of a well-functioning system? This intervention is creating apartheid right here in Australia”, continued Ms Shaw.
“On Monday September 29 we held a ‘Prescribed Area People’s Alliance’ meeting here in Alice Springs with over 100 affected people. Everywhere the Intervention is being experienced as a racist policy taking our people backwards. Many Studies have shown that racism has a negative effect on health and community well being. We demand the re-instatement of the racial discrimination act and an immediate end to the Intervention”, concluded Ms Shaw.
Paddy Gibson, from the Intervention Rollback Action Group commented, “There were also separate queues for Income Management in Centrelink until our group threatened protest”.
“The Rudd Government are refusing to release recommendations from its ‘review team’, who are calling for re-instatement of the Racial Discrimination Act, because it knows the Intervention laws are racist to their core. They could not operate with the RDA in place”
“It’s not just queues – large ‘basics card’ signs in shops and ‘prescribed area’ signs on entering communities are constant reminders there are two classes of people. Hundreds of thousands of dollars badly needed in communities is being spent controlling the lives of Aboriginal people. Meanwhile, housing and basic infrastructure is being denied to communities unless they extend the Intervention’s 5 year leases out to 40 years of more”.
For more information contact Barbara Shaw on 0401291166 or Paddy Gibson on 0415800586
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Media release…Media release…Media release…Media release…Media release…
1 October 2008
“Not one day more”
National Convergence condemns delay to NT Intervention Review
“Every day the government stalls on repealing the NT Intervention is another day of unnecessary suffering for the Aboriginal people in the NT and another day that this racism shames our country,” said Monique Wiseman from Sydney.
Over 200 peope have travelled to Alice Springs this week to protest the intervention and support communities resisting the Intervention’s measures. The historic covergence brought together people from prescribed areas in Aboriginal communities, Aboriginal town camps and outstations, with supporters and working groups from Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney, Northern NSW, Melbourne, Darwin, Newcastle and Perth.
We don’t need a review to gauge the failure of the Intervention. Listening to elders escribe the humiliation an paid of welfare quarantines, store cards, and forced leasing of their homelands is enough,” said Lauren Mellor from Brisbane.
“The delay in release the Review findings, announced just one day before the deadline, is an outrage. Every week now Jenny Macklin is increasing pressure on communities to sign leases, and the government has spent millions to roll out a “smart card” to entrench the welfare quaratine. But submissions to the Review have slammed the paternalism at the heart of the Intervention. It’s no wonder the review board is in crisis and unable to release its findings,” continued Lauren.
“They can pass legislation to impose on us in one night, but with three months they still can’t assess the damage they’ve done”, said Barbara Shaw from Mt Nancy town Camp.
Yesterday interstate visitors listened to speakers from prescribed areas at a large rally that marched through central Alice Springs and out to “The Gap”, at the entrance of town.
“Yesterday we marched united through “The Gap”. This is a historic step to close the gap that the Howard government created between Aboriginal communities in the NT and urban Australia. The intervention has demonised Aboriginal people, said all our men are paedophiles, and we are all alcoholics and child abusers. Now people have come from around the country to see for themselves that we are suffering under this intervention,” said Barbara Shaw, the Mt Nancy resident who hosted visitors to camp on her property.
“People have travelled so far to show their support for our strong stand against these policies. Word will go out across the Territory that we have support in the cities,” continued Barbara.
Today groups have travelled to the affected communities in Mutitjulu, Yuendemu, and around the Tangentyere Council Alice Springs Town Camps. Traditional owners in these communities have invited visitors to come and stay in the communities and talk with residents.
“We are conducting a people’s review of the Intervention. People are telling us that the intervention has taken them backwards, for example to the days of the “dog-tag system” an rations. This return to the policies of assimilation shames us all. It exposes the lie in the Prime Minister’s vow in February to never return to the policies of the past,” said Monique.
For comment, call Barbara Shaw: 0402129166, Monique Wiseman 0415410558 (Sydney) or Lauren Mellor 0413534125 (Brisbane).
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11 August 2008
Media release- for immediate release
Labor’s intervention roll out contributes to low voter turn-out: campaigners
Anti-intervention campaigners in Alice Springs have today argued that a lack of confidence amongst Aboriginal people in the political process has contributed to the historically low voter turn-out in the NT government elections.
They have also criticised the electoral process, which gave very little time for potential candidates and voters to get organised.
Only 67% of eligible voters turned out to the polls on Saturday, with extraordinarily low turn-outs in some areas, such as 40% in Stuart electorate.
Barbara Shaw, from Mt Nancy town camp and the Intervention Resistance Action Group said, “Many Aboriginal people voted Labor in the federal election because of what Howard and Brough did to us with the intervention. But in the last 12 months neither the new Rudd government, or NT Labor have done anything to reverse these destructive policies. In fact they continue to push them on us”.
“No one had any confidence in this election, people think ‘why should I care?’”.
“I am worried that the racist, conservative element has gained ground. The CLP are no voice for people on the ground, only business owners. They talk about “law and order”, but this shows an ignorance about why social problems are getting worse. They support an intervention which is forcing large numbers of people into town, without services to support them”.
Paddy Gibson, from the Intervention Resistance Action Group said, “The shameful process around this election has contributed to the right-wing swing. From when this election was called by NT Labor, people had extremely limited time to register as candidates. We know of a number of community leaders who wanted to contest the role the NT government is playing in major attacks on Aboriginal people, but had no time to get organised”.
“Similarly, the short time frame has made it difficult to organise access to polling booths, particularly for people in remote areas. People whose lives are being seriously affected by the NT intervention have been stopped from expressing their concerns and this de-legitimises this election”.
contact:
Barbara Shaw 0401291166
Paddy Gibson 0415800586
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4 August, 2008
Media release- for immediate release
Intervention increasing hardship in Tennant Creek: NT election candidates challenged on policies
The Intervention Resistance Action Group (IRAG) from Alice Springs is challenging candidates in the upcoming NT election to speak out against the destructive effects of the Intervention, criticising NT Labor’s commitment of $280million to continue the Intervention for another four years.
IRAG visited Tennant Creek last week to conduct extensive interviews with local Aboriginal people about the effects of the NT Intervention. They report deteriorating living conditions, distress and increasing hardship resulting from the introduction of the “income management” system and the racist approach of the Intervention.
Dianne Stokes, a Warumungu – Warlmanpa woman and community spokesperson currently staying in Tennant Creek told the group, “This Intervention is the biggest problem in Tennant Creek. People from remote communities are coming into Tennant. They don’t want to be here, but they have to come in and see Centrelink and do their paperwork and go to the shop here. They can’t put it back to the community they have to use it here in this town. Then it’s hard for them to get back out bush”.
“This is making overcrowding worse. More people living in town camps now, like three families living in a house. Some of us we sleep outside. Three old people sleep in a cage area here. They got nowhere to stay because that Intervention brought them into town and they can’t leave”.
Margaret Limmerick, who is currently on the income management system in Tennant said, “When the Intervention started off I thought it was really good. Now I end up just walking out (from Centrelink) without anything in my hand, no money, just paper to go shopping every time in the Foodbarn”.
“Centrelink are holding $3000 of mine in income management. One time I asked them to give me some to go down to Alice Springs, they said, “you can’t take it out”, but I don’t drink. They said I can only spend that money at Little Rippers (variety store) or Foodbarn. But I got my rent too, my power, my phone. I couldn’t use it on any of these things”.
Barbara Shaw, from the Intervention Resistance Action Group in Alice Springs said, “A lot of old people we have spoken to believe this new law is taking them back to the old ration days and the old dog tag days. This is another way of controlling us, where we are limited to stay in one place”.
“The Intervention is leading to more hardship in Tennant Creek. But candidates in the upcoming NT government elections were saying nothing about its destructive effects. Tonight I challenged candidates at the election forum in Alice Springs– will you speak up against the suspension of the NT Anti-Discrimination Act currently in place? Will you call for the implementation of the 97 recommendations of the Little Children are Sacred Report commissioned by the NT government?”.
“We want the resources, consultation and support recommended in this report, not punitive laws. We also demand to know why NT Labor have quietly committed $280million to the ongoing roll-out of the Intervention, while its future is supposed to be currently under review?” Ms Shaw concluded.
For more information contact Intervention Resistance Action Group:
Barbara Shaw 0401291166
Paddy Gibson 0415800586
We recognize the right of Tangentyere Council and town camp residents to self-determination. Town camp residents have called upon governments to address overcrowding and poverty in their communities over several years. More often than not, their demands have been ignored.
We support the recent decision by the Council to reject the Commonwealth’s proposal that would transfer control of housing and tenancy management to the Northern Territory Government. Representatives from all town camps voted to maintain community control. This is vital because of a long history of neglect and indifference to the needs of Aboriginal people by Northern Territory Housing. People rightly fear eviction and rent-increases that are beyond their capacity to pay. It is critical that Aboriginal people have the power to shape their own destinies.
We condemn Minister Macklin’s proposal for the Commonwealth to compulsorily acquire the town camps of Alice Springs. We call on the Commonwealth to respect the independence of the Tangentyere Council and to act in good faith in all of its negotiations with the Tangentyere Council.
We recognize the long struggle for land by both town camp residents and Aboriginal land holders throughout Australia. We condemn the Federal Government’s policy of withholding funding for desperately needed housing in Aboriginal communities, before Aboriginal people relinquish control of their land.
It is disgraceful that the party who championed the first land rights legislation in Australia is holding impoverished Aboriginal communities to ransom. This Government has lost its moral compass. We offer our full support to the Tangentyere Council in their struggle.
Endorsements are requested from individuals and organisations. Please circulate amongst your networks. Please reply to stoptheintervention@gmail.com before 5pm on Thursday 28th of May to indicate support.
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MEDIA RELEASE 20 March 2009
Aboriginal people brief Barack Obama before his meeting with Kevin Rudd
Aboriginal people from many parts of Australia, including the NT homelands, are expressing their strong opposition to their treatment by the Australian Government in statements sent to US President Obama this week.
Dr Djiniyini Gondarra, a Traditional Owner of Elcho Island wrote:
I am writing to you as a fellow black citizen of the world, to express my concerns
about Australian Government policy, both past and present, which has suppressed
Aboriginal culture, languages, land, law and its people since invasion over 200
years ago. …
In summary, my people are treated with neither the rights of sovereigns or citizens
of this country. We have been abandoned, and left somewhere in between; dying of
diseases only found in 3rd world countries and fighting for rights that so many other
countries have enshrined in their Constitutions.
Barbara Shaw from Mt Nancy town camp in Alice Springs wrote to President Obama:
… We are asking you to raise these matters with Kevin Rudd when you meet with him this month. Our people are extending an invitation for you to visit our Town Camps, Outstation/Homelands and Remote Communities and to meet with us personally.
Barbara Shaw said today:
“I will also be making a presentation on racial discrimination at the Durban Review in Geneva between 20-24 April, focusing on how the Australian Federal Government used the rights of the child as a special measure to rollout the Northern Territory Emergency Response legislation Intervention without any free, prior and informed consent consultation with our people.
How can compulsorily acquiring our lands for five years be a ‘special measure’?
How can seizing our land assist in child protection?
The Intervention is not protecting our children. Instead it is pushing Aboriginal people further below the poverty line and the new Rudd government has not made any positive changes to the Intervention.
The Australian federal government talks about closing the seventeen year life expectancy gap between non-Indigenous and Indigenous Peoples. With the current situation of the intervention, the gap is actually widening.
Barbara Shaw concluded:
“We have been forced into assimilation as far as we can go and we will not hand over our country because we belong to it and it belongs to us. The Aboriginal and Islander struggles are an ongoing fight between grassroots and governments.”
Some of the letters and statements sent to Barack Obama are on the front page of this website.
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Media release… media release… media release… media release… media release…
26 January 2009 – for immediate release
ABORIGINAL LEADER REFUSED SERVICE IN ALICE SPRINGS
An Aboriginal leader from Alice Springs was refused service at the “24 hour shop” in Alice Springs on Todd St last night, Sunday January 25.
Barbara Shaw, from Mt Nancy town camp and the Intervention Rollback Action Group (IRAG) had her basket of shopping taken away and was told to go and shop at Coles Supermarket when she wanted to pay for her shopping with a combination of cash, keycard and basics card.
This incident comes just one week after the failure of the ‘basics card’ system in Alice Springs denied Aboriginal people living under the Intervention the ability to buy food for two days.
“I needed to buy food for my family and a power card to get electricity for my house. But the shop keeper just took the basket off me and said, ‘I don’t want the humbug – you have to go to Coles”, said Barbara Shaw.
“Why should I have to walk all that way to get food? And Coles don’t even sell power tickets. We are suffering, needing to pool cash, keycards and basics cards just to get essential items. How many other people are denied food in this way?”
Marlene Hodder, from the Intervention Rollback Action Group, argues that that segregated service delivery and an inability of people to access food with their income managed funds are both common place under the Intervention.
“While people around the country celebrate Australia day, Aboriginal people are still denied the protection of the Racial Discrimination Act and are facing open segregation”.
“No one in our community should be treated this way. Aboriginal people often don’t have the transport to be shunted from pillar to post. The Intervention has brought only increases in hardship and racist treatment”.
“We hear so many stories of people denied food because Centrelink has mismanaged their funds, or of people being forced to line up in separate queues”.
“Jenny Macklin loves making unsubstantiated claims that people are better fed on Income Management. But she has been silent about the failure of the basics card system last weekend and silent about consistent complaints of growing racism. She must take responsibility for this failing system”, concluded Ms Hodder.
IRAG is organising a large delegation of Aboriginal people from the NT to travel to Canberra to demand an end to the Intervention and rally for Aboriginal rights on the opening day of parliament, Tuesday February 3.
“Many more people want to come and protest this year compared to last year. 12 months since the apology, the Gap is widening and things are getting harder for our people”, said Barbara Shaw.
For more information contact:
Barbara Shaw 0401 291 166 or Marlene Hodder 0438 816 851
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Media release *For immediate release 24 May 2009* Media Release
Takeover of Aboriginal Land marks Opening of Reconciliation Week
Today Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin marked the opening of Reconciliation Week by announcing that Alice Springs town camps will be compulsorily acquired. The announcement has been met with outrage by town camp residents. The move comes after Tangentyere Council, acting on behalf of town camp residents, rejected a 40 year lease deal which precluded all Aboriginal control and management of camp housing which would put decision-making and resources into the hands of Territory Housing.
The community housing model proposed by Tangentyere Council and the ability of residents to have input into housing management has been flatly rejected by the government. The community housing model was to be run by the Central Australian Affordable Housing Company, which Minister Macklin helped establish in March last year but has now been rejected in favour of a government takeover.
Residents represented by Tangentyere are opposed to Territory Housing management of the camps due to the high rate of evictions and predicted rent increases under government management. Many Aboriginal people who have been former residents of NT Housing have already experienced evictions, with the most common reasons being for cooking kangaroo tail in the backyard or for having relatives from the bush visit. People are concerned they will have nowhere to go if evicted from town camps under Territory Housing, which already has a three year waiting list for new occupancy.
“This is an appalling decision by the federal government. It marks the start of a takeover for all Aboriginal communities who reject government leases. If the government were genuine about consultation with communities it would not be blackmailing people with long-term leases and the threat of compulsory acquisition” said Hilary Tyler from the Intervention Rollback Action Group in Alice Springs.
“You can’t take someone’s land without free, prior and informed consent. It is very hypocritical of the Government to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples when the Intervention contravenes at least 26 articles. By keeping the Racial Discrimination Act (1975) in place it goes to show the Government of Australia is in fact racist.” says Barbara Shaw from Mt Nancy town camp.
A rally of town camp residents targeting both the NT government and federal government over its announcement of outstation closures and the compulsory acquisition of Alice Springs town camps will take place later this week in Alice Springs.
———————————————————————————————–
Takeover of Aboriginal Land marks Opening of Reconciliation Week
Today Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin marked the opening of Reconciliation Week by announcing that Alice Springs town camps will be compulsorily acquired. The announcement has been met with outrage by town camp residents. The move comes after Tangentyere Council, acting on behalf of town camp residents, rejected a 40 year lease deal which precluded all Aboriginal control and management of camp housing which would put decision-making and resources into the hands of Territory Housing.
The community housing model proposed by Tangentyere Council and the ability of residents to have input into housing management has been flatly rejected by the government. The community housing model was to be run by the Central Australian Affordable Housing Company, which Minister Macklin helped establish in March last year but has now been rejected in favour of a government takeover.
Residents represented by Tangentyere are opposed to Territory Housing management of the camps due to the high rate of evictions and predicted rent increases under government management. Many Aboriginal people who have been former residents of NT Housing, have already experienced evictions, with the most common reasons being for cooking kangaroo tail in the backyard or for having relatives from the bush visit. People are concerned they will have nowhere to go if evicted from town camps under Territory Housing, which already has a three year waiting list for new occupancy.
“This is an appalling decision by the federal government. It marks the start of a takeover for all Aboriginal communities who reject government leases. If the government were genuine about consultation with communities it would not be blackmailing people with long-term leases and the threat of compulsory acquisition” said Hilary Tyler from the Intervention Rollback Action Group in Alice Springs.
“You can’t take someone’s land without free, prior and informed consent. It is very hypocritical of the Government to endorse the United Nation Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples when the Intervention contravenes at least 26 articles. By keeping the Racial Discrimination Act (1975) in place it goes to show the Government of Australia is in fact racist.” says Barbara Shaw from Mt Nancy town camp.
A rally of town camp residents targeting both the NT government and federal government over its announcement of outstation closures and the compulsory acquisition of Alice Springs towncamps will take place later this week in Alice Springs.
[...] Full media release (link was working, then wasn’t???) http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/media/ [...]
Some of this is a load of baloney. There must be much more to the story of the woman who claims “Centrelink are holding $3000 of mine in income management. …[Centrelink] said I can only spend that money at Little Rippers (variety store) or Foodbarn. But I got my rent too, my power, my phone. I couldn’t use it on any of these things”. People are encouraged by Centrelink to use IM money to cover such costs, and most people do so as well as spending it on food & variety stores. I am certain that a bit of sensible enquiry by the unnamed journalist would have produced a more accurate & enlightening account of this particular situation.
Dear Bob,
I am sorry you believe this mother’s story to be “a load of baloney”. However, as someone who personally sat in her front yard and recorded it from her, then accompanied her to Centrelink the following day while Barbara Shaw (quoted on the press release) argued with Centrelink staff for an alternative approach, I can assure you that it is true. If this does not satisfy, perhaps you could call now retired MLA for the region Elliot McAdam, who informed us of this particular woman’s situation and himself phoned Centrelink to advocate on her behalf (unsuccessfully) for further verification.
Under “income management’, all lump-sum payments are 100% quarantined. In this case, Margaret had just received a large pay out from Centrelink. It was money they owed her, following “end of financial year” calculations which showed a discrepancy in their payments to her over that year of $3000. For some reason Centrelink staff were operating under instructions to only allow these lump-sum payments to be spent at the supermarket or the local variety store. I heard the staff member say this. After literally 20 minutes of negotiation the staff member finally conceded that some of the money would be able to be put towards her children’s lunches as part of the “school nutrition program”, but was very concerned at the irregularity of this.
The reality is that the intervention is a racist, paternalistic “load of baloney”. The point is not why Centrelink gave this particular directive, but why Margaret is in this position at all. The only reason this woman was not entitled to cash, like every other mother in Australia on a similar benefit, is because she was living in a town camp, an Aboriginal community “prescribed” under the intervention in min-June 2007. She now lives in public housing, but the restrictions follow you, even if you move interstate.
This sort of administrative nightmare is just one example of how the quarantine has proved extremely difficult to negotiate for large numbers of people, making access to food and other necessities harder. Only the suspension of the Racial Discrimination Act allows this restriction on the rights of Aboriginal people to the pensions, parenting allowances, student allowances and unemployment benefits etc we are all entitled to by law. The RDA should be immediately re-instated and the explicitly racist intervention laws repealed. If some people want access to help managing their entitlements through centrelink, then some of the untold millions currently being spent on punitive control could be put towards seriously supporting the many under-resourced community-based initiatives that existed prior to the intervention.
My heart goes out to all for the racist and ignorant approach by the govt to ’solve’ the social problems in NT communities… I am 100% behind you Paddy and Barbara and othe elders, and I want to be there in Canberra in Feb to show my support. Wot else can I do? I (besides give money – I am a pensioner myself)… Write to the govt myself? I am just some unqualified gubba, but i do have a koori child, and i see how wrong the govt’s approach is… I know it isnt the right way..
[...] MEDIA RELEASES [...]
[...] MEDIA RELEASES [...]