Media Release | Spokesperson Rachel Siewert - Wednesday 20th October 2010, 7:42am

Greens back strike by Gurindji workers in NT

The Australian Greens have voiced their support for Gurindji workers who will strike today to protest against the Northern Territory intervention.

The workers will be joined by residents from the remote Aboriginal communities of Kalkaringi and Dagaragu.

Greens spokesperson for Aboriginal Issues, Senator Rachel Siewert says the Government's failure to deliver the jobs promised to replace the abolished Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) is unacceptable.

"The CDEP jobs were essential to the operations and daily life in many towns in the Northern Territory. They provided services to residents as well as skills and empowerment and responsibility to workers," Senator Siewert said.

"Only a fraction of the promised jobs have been delivered. Instead many people have been placed under compulsory income management provisions, and the essential services provided by these CDEP jobs have fallen away.

"It is little wonder that people are protesting and speaking out against this failed intervention.

"The support being given to the Gurindji people from nearby communities and unions is a sign that these concerns are widespread and cannot be ignored by Government.

"The Australian Greens remain strongly opposed to the intervention and will continue to speak out against it. We want to see less money wasted flying bureaucrats in and out from Canberra and more spent to deliver real jobs and essential services in Aboriginal communities.

"It is clear that a new, consultative and positive strategy is needed in the Northern Territory," Senator Siewert concluded.

Source: http://greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/greens-back-strike-gurindji-workers-nt

Reproduced with the kind permission of Chris Redman.