Media Release Intervention Rollback Action Group 14 June 2017
Key speakers for Alice Springs major event
10 YEARS OF INTERVENTION – 10 YEARS TOO LONG
A conference in Alice Springs marking ten years of the Northern Territory Intervention will bring together people from prescribed areas to discuss the issues impacting on them and how best to move forward in taking control of their lives and communities.
Speakers include Yingiya Mark Guyula, Member for Nhulunbuy and local Arrernte woman Pat Ansell Dodds discussing Treaty;
Dylan Voller and Vickie Roach, campaigners for reform of the justice system;
Barbara Shaw and Matthew Ryan, NT Aboriginal Housing Board;
Ngarla Kunoth-Monks, Alukerre First Nation Cultural Trust, speaking on community governance;
And Senator Rachel Siewert discussing income management.
21st June 2017 marks ten years since John Howard announced the Northern Territory Intervention. In 2012, after token consultations, Jenny Macklin introduced the Stronger Futures laws which extended the intervention for a further ten years.
Despite all the evidence to the contrary and various reports and recommendations including from the UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Issues and many peak Aboriginal organisations, governments have continued these policies which are having a devastating effect on individuals and communities.
People are still living in poverty and in unacceptable living conditions, many more are being sent to jail (often for non-criminal offences), more and more children are being removed from families and losing contact with their culture, more people are turning to drugs or suffering from mental or other health issues.
A meeting of the full Central Land Council on 10th May issued the following statement:
“CLC believes that the Intervention and Stronger Futures legislation is racist and continues genocidal policies, has not improved Aboriginal people’s lives and should be repealed.”
Media contacts: Roxanne Highfold 044 767 4688/Marlene Hodder 043 881 6851
http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com
Published with the kind permission of IRAG.