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Welcome to the STICS website!
STICS (Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney) is an open collective of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people committed to the repeal of the NT Intervention and the struggle for Aboriginal self-determination.
We meet every Monday to discuss the campaign and plan for actions and awareness-raising. 6pm Monday nights, NSW Teachers Federation Building, Level 1, 23-33 Mary Street Surry Hills (turn off Elizabeth st at Albion St and left onto Mary street) - http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=23-33+Mary+Street,+surry+hills&sll=-24.686952,135.703125&sspn=61.631455,97.207031&ie=UTF8&z=17&iwloc=A. Everyone is welcome. Should you require further information and would like to attend, please call Mon: 0415 410 558 or Paddy: 0415 800 586 or E-mail: stoptheintervention@gmail.com
Please note:
STICS Forum: Unions report-back from building
Ampilatwatja 'protest-house
at the MUA Office, Level 2, 365 Sussex St, Sydney,
Wednesday 24 February 2010
From 1st-14th February unionists from the CFMEU, MUA, LHMU and Unions NT joined with residents from Ampilatwatja - an Aboriginal community 'prescribed' under the NT Intervention - and built a house to allow the community to sustain their walk-off in protest to the Intervention.
Come and see photos and footage of this historic project undertaken between unions and Aboriginal communities, and hear first-hand what conditions are like after 2-years of Intervention.
Speakers include:
Paul McAleer - MUA
Rebel Hanlon - CFMEU
Liz Barrett - LHMU
MC: Emma Murphy - STICS
Feel free to call for more info: Jean 0449 646 593
link to pics only of the building of the house:
http://picasaweb.google.com/tim.gooden.gthc/WalkOffProject02#
walk-off website:
http://interventionwalkoff.wordpress.com
*Please forward widely*
Stop the NT Intervention - Sorry means you won't do it again.
Protest: Saturday, February 13, 2010
For the speeches of the event please click here.
9 am LaPerouse point, Bunnerong rd for the walk against racism to join the Redfern rally.
Starts at Foreshore then into Botany Rd: water stops at Millpond, then Gardeners Rd then Mc Evoy. Rally can join walkers at Mc Evoy to walk in. Michelle will follow up water containers. Community buses will go ahead and wait at various places, along the way.
1pm rally at The Block, Redfern
Speakers include:
Irene Fisher, Sunrise Health (NT)
Pastor Ray Minniecon
Mal Tulloch, CFMEU
Angeline Penrith
Jeff McMullen
Lee Rhiannon, The Greens
Performers:
The Black Turtles
Nadeena Dixon
Michael Donovan
More tba
Book Launch: "This Is What We Said"
Australian Aboriginal people give their views on the Northern Territory Intervention. This book follows on from the report called "Will They Be Heard?" launched November 2009 by the Hon. Malcolm Fraser. For further info: please click here
Supporters include:
NSW Aboriginal Land Council, NSW Reconciliation Council, ANTaR NSW, CFMEU, Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning Research, Mudgin-Gal, Babana, Reconciliation for Western Sydney, Guriwal Aboriginal Corp., FBEU, MUA, Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Councils, Illawarra LALC, Bahtabah LALC, Narromine LALC, La Perouse LALC
Stop the NT Intervention
End the income quarantine - stop the national expansion
Land rights, not leases
Self-determination, not assimilation
Aboriginal controlled housing, jobs and services for all communities
On February 13, 2010 there will be a national day of action against the NT Intervention and for Aboriginal rights.
This will mark the 2nd anniversary of the Apology to the Stolen Generations, when Prime Minister Rudd committed the government to, "a future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again".
But ongoing NT Intervention policies reek of the same paternalism and commitment to assimilation that created the Stolen Generations.
The Intervention has been a $1.5 billion disaster. The government has taken control of Aboriginal lives and land - but has not yet built a single house. Shamefully, communities will not receive housing until they sign 40-year leases over their land. This policy is expanding nationally.
The income quarantine is leading to greater poverty and social dislocation. Government statistics show reports of domestic violence are up 61%, substance abuse up 77% and 13% more infants have been hospitalised for malnutrition.
Minister Macklin has said the suspension of the Racial Discrimination Act has "denied dignity" to Aboriginal people. But her changes to Intervention legislation will see the RDA suspended until December 31, 2010.
Rather than do away with failing policy, new legislation will allow the compulsory welfare quarantining to be extended to "areas of disadvantage" around the country. This will start across the NT from July 2010. Draconian measures such as compulsory acquisition of Aboriginal land and extreme police powers have been rebadged "special measures" under the RDA.
Racism is not a special measure.
The demonisation of Aboriginal people at the core of the Intervention is leading to increased racism across Australia. Indigenous incarceration rates have risen 10% in the past year. Juvenile detention now stands at 30 times the national average. Aboriginal organisations everywhere face aggressive mainstreaming.
Aboriginal people have consistently demanded an end to the NT Intervention measures and resistance is growing.
Turning around the unacceptable disadvantage facing Aboriginal people requires massive increases in resourcing of community controlled organisations - not more racist laws.
No more broken promises - its time to break the intervention
Organised by Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney
Contact: Jean 0449646593 or Mon 0415410558
For the Feb 13 Protest on facebook: please click here
For the poster of the protest: please click here
For the leaflet of the protest for downloading, printing, distribution: please click here or here
For the latest STICS bulletin: please click here
For info on the "This Is What We Said" Book launch: please click here
For STICS' Fact Sheet about the new Legislation: please click here
For STICS' Fact Sheet about the Government's "Consultation" Process: please click here
Request for endorsement of protests on February 13, 2010
On the 13th of February 2010, Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney (STICS) is organising a protest as part of a national day of action against the NT Intervention and for Aboriginal rights.
February 13 will be the 2nd anniversary of the Apology, when Prime Minister Rudd committed the government to, "a future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again".
But these injustices are continuing to be inflicted on communities in the NT. The same paternalism and commitment to assimilation that created the stolen generations is playing out through policies such as the compulsory acquisition of Aboriginal land, controls on Aboriginal income, the push to centralise hundreds of remote communities into ‘hub towns' and severe restrictions on the use of Aboriginal languages in schools.
The demonisation of Aboriginal people at the core of the Intervention is leading to increased racism across Australia. Aboriginal juvenile detention rates continue to increase and now stand at almost 30 times the national average. The Australian (22/08/09) reported that, "the most recent statistics on child removals show Aboriginal children are being taken from their parents in numbers much greater than the Stolen Generations." Aboriginal men are 5 times more likely to be incarcerated than black men in Apartheid South Africa.
The Rudd government is promising to reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA), but this continues to be delayed and Minister Jenny Macklin has been clear that Intervention policies will not change. Discriminatory laws will be classified as "special measures" under the RDA, operating "for the benefit" of Aboriginal people.
But the Intervention has not built a single house and communities are being told they will receive no housing until they sign 40-year leases over their land. The welfare quarantine is leading greater poverty and social dislocation. Aboriginal people have consistently demanded an end to these measures.
In July, the Alyawarr people at Ampilatwatja walked-off their community and established a permanent protest camp. Spokesperson Richard Downs says, "We are fed up with the federal governments controls and measures, visions and goals forced onto us from outside. We are outcastes, isolated from all decision making. We will stay in this camp until our demands are met".
Attached is a statement from many people in ‘Prescribed Areas' calling for national protests on February 13.
This struggle needs support. In Sydney, there will be rally at 1pm at the Block in Redfern to hear from speakers and performers. At 9am a contingent of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people will begin a long walk, united against racism, leaving from La Perouse near the place where Australia was first invaded, to join the rally in Redfern.
Demands for the protest are:
Stop the NT Intervention - Sorry means you won't do it again
Reinstate the RDA - racism is not a special measure
Land rights, not leases
Quarantine racism, not welfare
Self-determination, not assimilation
Aboriginal controlled housing and services for all communities
We are asking your organisation to:
- Endorse the protest and organise a contingent to participate
- Make a donation to help with costs
- Assist in promotion by circulating material amongst your networks
If you would like someone to come and address your organisation, to respond to this letter, or if you need more information please get in touch the Stop the Intervention Collective by calling:
Monique Wiseman on 0415410558 or
Paddy Gibson on 0415800586 or
email: stoptheintervention@gmail.com
In solidarity,
Larissa Behrendt, NAIDOC Indigenous Person of the Year
Barbara Shaw, Mt Nancy Town Camp and Intervention Rollback Action Group (Alice Springs)
Shane Phillips, CEO Tribal Warrior, Redfern
Monique Wiseman, Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney
Endorsed by:
BABANA Aboriginal Men's Group Incorporated
Bahtabah Local Aboriginal Land Council Board Members and Members and Staff (comment)
CFMEU
Freedom Socialist Party
Hive Student Union
Indigenous Social Justice Association, Melbourne (comment)
Legal Rights Movement, SA
Link up, Mt Druitt
Metropolitan Land Council
Mudgin-Gal Women's Centre
Narromine Local Aboriginal Land Council
New South Wales Reconciliation Council
NSW Land Council
Radical Women, Melbourne
Reconciliation for Western Sydney
Redfern Community Centre
Solidarity
The Committee for the Dismantling of Zionism
Shane Phillips
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Statement by representatives from "prescribed communities"
A call for protests on February 13, 2010
Macklin breaks another promise - Racism is not a "special measure"
Minister Jenny Macklin has once again broken a clear promise given to Aboriginal people in the NT. On many occasions she gave her word that the Racial Discrimination Act (1975) would be re-instated in the October sittings of parliament this year. Minister Macklin also gave this promise to the UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, following a complaint by many of us from 'Prescribed Areas'.
This is unacceptable treatment. Racism and divisions increase and living conditions deteriorate each day the Act remains suspended and the Intervention measures remain in place. We are like outcasts - denied basic rights afforded to other Australians.
We know the government is playing legal games as our lives get worse. They are keeping the RDA suspended so they can threaten the Alice Springs town camps with compulsory acquisition and force communities to sign long term leases.
When they finally re-instate the RDA it will to entrench the racist intervention - not to restore our rights. The Minister is claiming that the Intervention can be classified as a series of "special measures" under the RDA, operating "for the benefit" of Aboriginal people.
How would the Minister like it if someone took her house, quarantined her money, controlled where she shopped, ate and slept, and then told her it was all for her benefit?
The Minister will claim that her department has "consulted" with Aboriginal people, that we have somehow given consent to these laws.
But the consultation process was a sham from the beginning. Public servants mostly patronised communities with a government story about how the Intervention is working.
The "Future Directions for the NTER" document that consultations are based on gave no real choice to Aboriginal people about the Intervention. Leaked documents from the Minister's office prove that we were never consulted about compulsory acquisition of our land under the 5-year lease, because the government knew we would not consent.
We were asked which brand of compulsory Income Management we would like, what kind of alcohol controls or police powers. But communities have said many times we want an end to all racist control measures.
We clearly made these statements again through this round of "consultations". Get rid of the laws. We want the resources wasted on "Intervention" to go directly to communities to meet our real social needs.
The Minister will not get away with this. The idea that taking Aboriginal land, housing and basic human rights away "for our benefit" is the same paternalism that created the Stolen Generations.
The people at Ampilatwatja have walked off in protest against the Intervention and we are standing up across the NT. We are part of a growing movement around the country - including unions, human rights and church groups. Rudd's Apology feels hollow two years on - we have been betrayed once again. We are calling for protest rallies across Australia on February 13 2010.
Racism is not a special measure. No more broken promises - it's time to break the Intervention.
Signed by:
Richard Downs, Ampilatwatja
Frankie Holmes, Antarringina
Dave Lewis, Ampilatwatja
Wally Miller, Ampilatwatja
Banjo Morton
Graeme Morton
Larkin Morton
Roger Morton, Antarringina
Harry Nelson, Yuendumu
Dave Ross
Kingi Ross, Irrultja
Jimmy Rubuntja, Epenarra
Harry Rubuntja, Canteen creek
Geoffrey Shaw, Mt Nancy Town Camp
Fred Teece
Donald Thompson, Antarringina
Loretta Baily, Antarringina
Betty Beasley, Ampilatwatja
Casey Holmes, Antarringina
Eileen Hoosan, Mt Nancy Town Camp
Angeline Luck
Lily Morton
Elaine Peckham, Iwupataka Land Trust
Hellen Rubuntja
Barbara Shaw, Mt Nancy Town Camp
Raelene Silverton, West Waterhouse
October 29, 2009
Special Organising Meeting on 4 January 2010 at 6 pm
The Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney held a successful organising meeting - to prepare for the 13 Feb 2010 demo - at the NSW Teachers Federation Building, Level 1, 23-33 Mary Street Surry Hills on Monday, 4 January 2010 at 6pm.
Special Guest speaker at the meeting was Richard Downs, spokesperson for the Ampilatwatja walk-off camp.
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Rally Thursday, 26 November 2009
12:30 pm @ FaHCSIA office, 280 Elizabeth Street, Sydney (near Central)
Unconditionally restore the Racial Discrimination Act: Racism is not a special measure
please click here for the flyer / further information
Stop the NT Intervention - Re-instate the Racial Discrimination Act
immediately
12:30 pm @ Kevin Rudd's office
70 Phillip St, Sydney
Speaking tour - Ampilatwatja walk-off against NT Intervention
6 - 20 October 2009
National speaking tour - raising support for the Ampilatwatja walk-off against the NT Intervention.
www.interventionwalkoff.wordpress.com
For the latest videos: Please click here AND here
For the latest speech / statements: Please click here
For the latest info: Please click here
From October 6 - 20, Richard Downs will be speaking in major capital cities across Australia. Richard is a spokesperson for the Alyawarr people, who have walked off their community at Ampilatwatja against the NT Intervention and established a protest camp outside the boundaries of the "Prescribed Area".
Supporting Richard through the national tour is Harry Nelson, a senior Warlpiri elder. His community of Yuendumu has also been at the forefront of resistance to the Intervention - holding off the Income Management system for many months in 2008 and now refusing to sign long term leases demanded by the government.
Included below is more information on the tour and dates of major forums. Please get in contact with local organisers to find out details about other events planned in your city, or to help with publicity for the tour.
Come along to the forums and show your support. Don't miss your chance to hear these strong speakers discuss life under the Intervention and inspiring grass-roots struggles for Aboriginal rights.
SYDNEY
Tuesday, 6 October 2009, 10 am - 12 pm
AMPILATWATJA COMMUNITY WALK-OFF BRIEFING FOR ABORIGINAL WORKERS AND ORGANIZATIONS
at the Redfern Community Centre
Address by Richard Downs, Spokesperson for Alyawarr Elders, Ampilatwatja
Introduction by Shane Phillips, Tribal Warrior, Redfern
Please RSVP as soon as possible to liv.nigro@gmail.com or 0401 955 405
For the poster: click here
Tuesday, 6 October 2009, 2 pm
Richard Downs will address Amnesty International staff and supporters at the Sydney office,
Level 1, 79 Myrtle St Chippendale NSW 2008
Wednesday, 7 October 2009, 10 am
Media conference
NSW Parliament House Press Room, Macquarie Street.
Northern Territory intervention undoes 50 years of progress, says Downs
By Chi Tranter, AAP, October 07, 2009 12:13pm
THE Northern Territory intervention is a racist policy that undoes fifty years of progress, Aboriginal elder Richard Downs says....we have got one line for the black people who have these special basics green cards and you have got the other check-outs which are open to the general public.
For the full article: click here
Intervention: participation not imposition
Wednesday 07 October 2009
Greens MP Sylvia Hale today welcomed the visit to Sydney of two indigenous leaders from the Northern Territory as they campaigned against the Federal Government's intervention in the Northern Territory.
For the full article: click here
Wednesday, 7 October 2009, 6.30 PM
6.30 PM: Refreshments will be served to be followed by the Forum at 7 pm
Public Forum
NT Intervention in Crisis: Why Jenny Macklin must resign
Speakers include:
* Richard Downs, Alyawarr People's Walk-Off, Ampilatwatja NT
* Harry Nelson, Yuendumu Community Spokesperson
* Larissa Behrendt, NAIDOC Indigenous Person of the Year, 2009
* Chris Graham, Editor, National Indigenous Times
CONTACT: Mon Wiseman 0415 410 558 or Jean Parker 0449 646 593
E-mail: stoptheintervention@gmail.com
For the poster: click here
For the video of Chris Graham's speech: click here
For the video of Richard Downs' speech: click here
Western Sydney
Sunday, 11 October 2009, 3 pm
Wundunarrkoo Hall, 108 Ellsworth Drive, Tregear
Welcome to Country: Aunty Gloria Matthews
For the poster: click here
Southern Sydney
Monday, 12 October 2009, 6 pm
Illawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre, 22 Kenny St, Wollongong.
Welcome to Country: TBC
Contact: Liv 0401 955 405
For the poster: click here
Sydney University Campus Meeting
Tuesday, 13 October 2009, 12 pm
New Law Building, Room 026
Eastern Avenue (main pedestrian walk-way as you enter off City Road) Sydney University
Campus Forum: Resisting the NT Intervention!
Come and hear Richard Downs explain why his community has walked off their land to stop the NT Intervention.
Speaker: Richard Downs, Alyawarr People's Walk-off, Ampilatwatja NT
Contact: Daisy 0401378274
Organized by the Anti-Racism Collective
Sydney
Tuesday, 13 October 2009, 4 pm
Unions NSW Training Room 1
377 Sussex St, Sydney
Ampilatwatja walk-off against the NT Intervention: a briefing for Trade Unionists
Speakers:
Richard Downs - Ampilatwatja community, NT
Adam Kerslake - Unions NSW, recently returned from tour of NT communities
Co-sponsored by Unions NSW Indigenous Committee, Australians for NativeTitle and Reconciliation and Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney
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CANBERRA
Friday, 9 October 2009 , 6pm
Manning Clark Lecture Theatre, Australian National University, Canberra
Listen to this firsthand account by Richard Downs of the reasons behind the Ampilatwatja (pronounced close to "Um-blood-a-watch") NT Intervention Walkoff and future strategies
Speakers include:
* Richard Downs, Alyawarr People's Walk-Off, Ampilatwatja NT;
* Harry Nelson, Yuendumu Community Spokesperson;
* Michael Anderson, Euahlayi and Co-founder of Aboriginal Embassy
Contact: Ellie Gilbert 0421 795 639
E-mail: contactwgar@gmail.com
For the poster: click here
www.wgar.info
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MELBOURNE
Wednesday, 14 October 2009, 1pm
Joe Nap B, second floor of Union House
University of Melbourne
Thursday, 15 October 2009, 1pm
Monash University Clayton
Campus Cinema, Building 10
Friday, 16 October 2009, 10am
March Against Racism
MAYSAR Sport and Recreation Centre
184-186 Gertrude street, Fitzroy
Friday, 16 October 2009, 6pm.
Public meeting
Melbourne Youth Sport and Recreation Centre (MAYSAR)
184-186 Gertrude street, Fitzroy
‘Resistance to Invasion: the Aboriginal walk-off and protest against the Northern Territory Intervention'.
Speakers include:
Richard Downs, Harry Nelson and leading Melbourne Aboriginal activist Robbie Thorpe.
Contact: Marisol 0413597315 or Joe 0434127661
For the poster: click here
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BRISBANE
Saturday, 17 October 2009, 1.30pm
Kurlipa Hall, 174 Boundary Street, West End
Speakers include:
Richard Downs, Harry Nelson and Reverend Aunty Alex Gater, Aboriginal Women For Change
CONTACT: Sam Watson 0401 227 443 or Mark Gillespie on 07 3891 5385 / mgillespie3@gmail.com
For the poster: click here
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SUPPORT THE SPEAKING TOUR!
Help in building networks of active supporters, fundraising to support the walk-off protest camp, promotion of events and much more.
The Federal and NT Governments have come under increasing fire in recent months over the scandals emanating from the NT Intervention. In August UN Special Rapporteur Professor Anaya described it as ‘'clearly discriminatory'', and characterised the policies as "stigmatising an already stigmatised people".
Meanwhile, on the ground affected Aboriginal people are struggling to survive and resist the conditions of hardship, division and racism imposed by the legislation.
In July, echoing the dramatic land rights struggle of the 1960s and 70s, Alyawarr Elders at Ampilatwatja community, 300kms north-east of Alice Springs, walked off their community demanding an end to the Intervention and immediate action to address shocking housing conditions.
‘'Aboriginal people had no other option but to walk off the Prescribed Area...(according) them the status of being internally displaced refugees‘'We no longer have any rights to exist as humans in our own country and are outcasts in our own community'', said Richard Downs, spokesperson for the Alyawarr Elders.
More than 150 of the 300 residents have joined the protest, 3kms from the township. They are threatening to take the entire community to set up camp on ancestral lands unless their demands are met:
"Funds must go to community development, not ‘Intervention'''. "End the compulsory lease and restore land to Aboriginal control. We are now urging and calling all communities who feel they are in same situation as our community to stand up and support us and keep fighting for indigenous people's rights''.
Minister Macklin has made clear that despite the community's desperate need, no new houses will be built. Ampilatwatja residents are victim's of the Interventions ‘growth towns' policy that deems hundreds of remote communities "unviable" and is starving them of funds to drive people into ‘hub towns".
Widespread condemnation over the Indigenous housing crisis and government mismanagement of the Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program (SIHIP) continues to escalate after revelations that from the $672 million funding, not one house has been built for Aboriginal people NT-wide.
This scandal has been explained by pro-Intervention commentators in The Australian as a failure of "red tape". But the real failure of SIHIP is explained by its racism - the deliberate exclusion of Aboriginal communities and organisations in the design and implementation of the program.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin must resign! Racist Intervention laws must be immediately repealed.
Richard Downs will be visiting Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne in October to spread the message of the Alyawarr Elders and to rally support for the walk-off and the campaign to stop the Intervention.
"Stop the compulsory welfare quarantine. The Intervention is creating racism, divisions, hatred and resentment across the NT'' ...'I urge all our brothers and sisters along with non Aboriginal people to stand up and support us."
For statements from Ampilatwatja and more details of how you can support the walk-off see: www.interventionwalkoff.wordpress.com or contact Richard Down on 0428611169 or richard.downs12@gmail.com
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Along with the following statement printed in the Australian, the national news today is carrying claims from Minister Jenny Macklin that a deal withTangentyere council has been finalised and that 40 year leases have been agreed to over the Alice Springs town camps.
Stop the Intervention Collective (STICS) continues to be advised by representatives from Tangentyere that in fact no lease has been signed, or deal concluded. Towncamp residents do not want to give up their land and are looking atall options to avoid this outcome. An injunction against theMinister's threat to compulsory acquire the camps is still pending inthe Federal Court.
Regardless of the outcome, the growing national campaign will continue to mobilise against the ongoing blackmail of impoverished communities.
A short video about the acquisition "Aboriginal women speak up for their homes" is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njU2MgK6z_4
Further information can be found at http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/town-camp-housing-takeover/
For: Background to the threatened Commonwealth acquisition of Alice Springs Town Camps click here
Stop the Blackmail
Keep Aboriginal Housing in Aboriginal Hands
We, concerned citizens, call on the Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister, Jenny Macklin, to immediately end moves to compulsorily acquire the Alice Springs town camps, represented by Tangentyere Council. Tangentyere Council is a democratic organisation that has been the only service provider to the town camps since their inception. It continues to transport water to people forgotten by governments. It also provides 150 meaningful jobs for Aboriginal people.
For decades Tangentyere has called upon governments to address overcrowding and poverty in their communities. But their demands have been ignored. Tangentyere has rejected the blackmail that will make housing conditional upon Aboriginal communities signing leases that will relinquish control to the government. We call on the Commonwealth to immediately release funds for desperately needed housing.
In May 2007, Macklin criticised the Howard Government's attempt to impose a 99 year lease on Tangentyere: "No other group of Australians would have their property rights treated this way ... we do not want land tenure reform being made a condition of funding for basic services."
We agree that infrastructure and services for Aboriginal people should not depend upon the surrender of fundamental rights.
We recognise the right of town camp residents to self-determination. We also endorse the Productivity Commission's recent call for an end to ‘top-down' directives from government and for the empowerment of Aboriginal communities. Closing the gap will not be achieved in any other way.
The use of coercive powers established under the Intervention threatens the existence of one of the most successful Aboriginal organisations in the country and sets a dangerous precedent for undermining all Aboriginal community initiatives. Such discriminatory action would be unlawful without the suspension of the Racial Discrimination Act - an action condemned by the Human Rights Commissioner and international human rights bodies. We have no confidence in the Intervention. It has not delivered a house to a single Aboriginal family.
We stand behind Tangentyere Council's refusal to capitulate in the face of racial discrimination. All Australians will be diminished if the compulsory acquisition proceeds.
Endorsed by:
Aboriginal News Group (ANG)
ANTaR NSW
ANTaR SA
Australian Peace Committee Inc S.A. Branch
Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation
Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation NT
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association
CFMEU C&G Vic
Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union
Darwin Aboriginal Rights Coalition
Earth Song Aboriginal Pathways Healing Foundation
Fire Brigades Employees Union
Indigenous Social Justice Association, Melbourne
Intervention Rollback Action Group Mparntwe-Alice Springs
Lane Cove Residents for Reconciliation
Liberty Victoria
Maritime Union of Australia, Sydney
Maritime Union of Australia, Victoria
Melbourne Anti-intervention Collective
Melbourne Unitarian Church
Melbourne Unitarian Peace Memorial Church
Melbourne University Student Union
Monash University Student Association
MUA Victorian Branch
Mullumbimby Intervention Awareness Group
North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency
Northern Sydney Region Reconciliation
NSW Teacher's Federation
Reconciliation for Western Sydney
SA Unions
Sisters for Reconciliation, Northern Rivers
Sisters for Reconciliation with the Cavanbah Reconciliation Group
Socialist Alliance
Socialist Alternative
Solidarity
Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney
Swinburne University Student Association
Sydney University SRC
The Aboriginal News Group
The CFMEU Construction and General Division, Victorian Branch
The Hive Student Union, University of Western Sydney
Victorian Trades Hall Council
WGAR - Working Group for Aboriginal Rights
Wingecarribee Reconciliation Group
Women for Wik
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Australian Section
Jon Altman
Kerry Andersen
Barbara Ashby
Wendy Baarda
Associate Professor Barbara Baird, Flinders University, Adelaide
Greg Barber MLC
Alice Beauchamp
Larissa Behrendt
Anne Best
Robert Bleakley
Denise Bond
Graham Bond
Monique Bond
Kerin Booth
Phil Bradley, R4WS
Dr Andrea Breen
Margret Campbell JP
Margaret Capare
Raffaela Cavadini
Little Sister Claire, Yuendumu
Kate Clarkson
Nicola Coles
Janene Collins
Len Cooper, Secretary CEPU Telecommunications Vic
Eva Cox AO
Mary Cusack
Jo Daniels
Mel Davies
Sharon Davies
Abigail Diplock
Michael Diplock
Dallas Dodd
Pat Dodson
Irene Doutney, Greens Councillor, City of Sydney
Joan Doyle, Secretary CEPU Postal Victoria
Vivienne Duncan
Marcia Ella-Duncan, former NTER Review Board member
Dr. Kamala Emanuel
Dr. Charlotte Epstein
Joan Evans
David Flaskas
Michelle Flaskas
Yvonne Francis
Judith Gamper
Sandy Gauntlett , President of PIPEC (Pacific Indigenous Peoples Environment Coalition), Oceania Focal Point Global Forest Coalition
Carmel Gerrie
Dr. Peter Gibson
Janet Giles
Catherine Anne Grew
Sharon Griffiths
Sylvia Hale, Greens MLC NSW Parliament
Barry Hansen
Ned Hargraves, Acting President, Central Desert Shire NT
Stuart Hills
David Hinchley
Janice Howard
Paul Howorth
Percy Jackonia
Keri James
Erica Jolly
Lyn Jones
T.G. Jones
J. Jones-Goudsmit
Brigitte Jung
Mandy Juniper
Ingrid Kalf
John Kaye, Greens NSW MP
Sybil Kesteven
Roger Keyes
Rosalie Kunoth-Monks, President, Barkly Shire Council NT
Brenda L Croft
Helen-Mary Langlands
Anna Lennie
Senator Scott Ludlam
Ian Macindoe PhD
Michele Madigan
Les Malezer
Anne Marks
Greg Marks
Gayle Mather
Ian Mcindoe
Jeff McMullen
Kay McPadden
Bianca Merkel
Graham & Monique
Theresa Morellini
Josie Nemorin
George Newhouse
Annie Nielsen, R4WS
Heidi Norman
Anne O'Halloran
Dianne Ollerenshaw
Margaret Anne Opie, Alice Springs
Dr. Goldie Osuri
Anne Parnis
Christine Pilbrow
Jonathan Pilbrow
John Pilger
Carole Powell
Sr. Sheila Quonoey, Presentation Sister Wagga
Patricia Radman
Rosaliinda Rayne
Ann Rees
Monique Reiher
Lee Rhiannon, Greens MP
Eril Riley
Tony Roberts
Geraldine Robertson
Russell Rollason, President UNAA (ACT)
Maurie Ryan, Deputy Chair, Central Land Council NT
Georgina San Roque
Kim Sanders
Helen Scanlon
Rosie Scott
The Hon. Dr Jocelynne A. Scutt, Barrister & Human Rights Lawyer
Sr. Pat Sealey RSJ
Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens Senator for WA
Bronwyn Sindel
Gai Smith
Vivien Speight
Richard Starr
Adele Stevens
Peter Taylor
Ian Thorpe
Trevor Tisdall
Dr John Tomlinson
Miriam Tonkin
Pat Turner
Anne Vadiveloo
Dr. Peter Vadiveloo
Jane Vadiveloo, MPsych (Forensic), Psychologist/Consultant
Barbara Van der Meulen
Katrina van Ruth RSJ , Sisters of St Joseph, Kensington SA
Alyssa Vass
Rohan Vora
Nicole Watson
Sam Watson
Ed Wensing
Celeste Yarnold
Pat Zinn
Butafa, from the Solomons
Please check out the new Women for Wik What's working website. For brief background info, please click here
Statement Opposing the Commonwealth's Proposal to Compulsorily Acquire the Alice Springs Town Camps
please klick here for the statement
For the Media Release in Support of the Tangentyere Council of
28 May 2009: please click here
Public Forum:
Why is Rudd's 'Close the Gap' closing communities down?
Saturday, 18 July 2009 - 3pm
Speakers include:
Nicole Watson - Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning, UTS
Kevin Rudd's apology to the Stolen Generations contained two clear commitments - to never repeat the destructive policies of the past and to invest substantial resources to Aboriginal communities. The Rudd government's investment program has been called 'Close the Gap', taking the name of a long-term, community-based Aboriginal health campaign.
For more info contact:
Monique Wiseman 0415410558
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Upcoming..... Thursday 30th July 12pm Public lobby and speak out
For the flyer, please click here
Actions marking two years since the announcement of the NT Intervention:
Protest, march and concert - marking two years since the announcement of the NT Intervention
10:30am Belmore Park, Eddy avenue, Haymarket (opposite Central station)
March to the Block in Redfern for family and culture day concert
Stop the NT Intervention
> Reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act
> No Blackmail - Land Rights not Leases
> Aboriginal Control of Aboriginal Affairs
> Housing and Services for all Communities
> Jobs - not cuts to CDEP
Speakers include:
> Maurie Japarta Ryan (Central Land Council, NT)
> Larissa Behrendt
> Adam Kerslake (Unions NSW)
> Geoff Scott (NSW Aboriginal Land Council)
> Jim Allen (Board Member NSW Aboriginal Housing Office)
> Jeff McMullen
> Dootch Kennedy (Illawarra Aboriginal Land Council)
Performers include:
> The Last Kinection
> Nadeena Dixon
> Cuzco
> Maupower (Torres Strait)
> Dizzy Doolan
> DJ Exile (Aotearoa)
Stand Against Rudd's Racism
June 20, 2009 will mark two years since the Howard government announced its Intervention into NT Indigenous communities.
The Intervention promised health, housing and education - but it has delivered only racism, the destruction of Aboriginal control and worsening social problems. After the allocation of more than $1 billion the only houses that have been built with intervention funds have been for government managers imposed on communities. The compulsory quarantine of welfare payments is causing greater poverty, real hunger and segregation in Centrelink and in shops.
The Rudd government has made symbolic gestures to try and signal a break from the racism of Howard - apologising to the Stolen Generations and recently signing on to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. But this is hypocrisy. They have pursued Howard's agenda of "mainstreaming" and assimilation with force, expanding the Intervention, despite the recommendations of their own ‘review'.
In the NT, they have also overseen the withdrawal of funding from remote ‘outstations', forcing migration into towns, and severe restrictions on teaching in Aboriginal languages. The government has pledged to re-instate the Racial Discrimination Act this spring, but has insisted this will mean no ‘softening' of punitive Intervention polici