On Saturday 17th November, the Intervention Reform Coalition in Darwin are participating in a National Day of Action for indigenous rights, to address the Federal intervention in NT communities.
10AM : Meet outside the Saville Hotel - corner of The Esplanade & Peel St
10:45 : Walk together to Raintree Park for music; speakers; information; BYO picnic
The federal government is pushing ahead with the NT intervention despite ongoing concerns.
The opposition is offering 'in principle' support for the intervention...
At this crucial time, support indigenous rights by attending the national day of action, join supporters all over Australia this weekend - in Alice Springs, Darwin, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane... to let the politicians know that all Australians want indigenous rights upheld Key concerns about the federal intervention, as expressed by the combined aboriginal organisations of the NT: · lack of time to consider the legislation and ongoing lack of consultation with affected aboriginal people · the emergency response doesn't address child abuse: for example, partial removal of permits to access aboriginal land will not prevent child abuse · funding for welfare and bureaucrats, not for programs that address children's needs · the legislation is racially discriminatory · compulsory acquisition of property rights and assets · ineffective alcohol measures · abolition of CDEP –forced transfer of CDEP employees to quarantined welfare · an abuse of power and a wasted opportunity for more information go to: www.nationalaboriginalalliance.org www.federalintervention.info www.womenforwik.org if you are directly affected by the legislation or work with people who are, send your stories/experiences to: secretariat@nationalaboriginalalliance.org call the government's free hotline to voice your opinion or get information: 1800-333-995 __________________________________________ Update on events Announce mailing list
Announce@womenforwiklist.org
http://womenforwiklist.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/announce Dear all,
Below is information on events, rallies and forums that are planned over the next week or two. The Canberra Rock against Racism has just passed, but there will be a protest meeting nationally next Tuesday, and there are individual events on in Brisbane, Melbourne, Darwin, Sydney, and Adelaide.
At the moment, there are no individual events planned for Hobart or Perth, or for smaller towns, so there is plenty of room for people living in those places to plan their own forums. If you would like to make contact with other people from your state, please let me know.
all the best,
Claire
National, Tuesday 13 November
Protest meeting re NT legislation
11:00am outside the parliament of each state or territory
Public protest/gatherings/actions organised by WomenSpeak. Key messages for the events will be taken from the concerns about the NT intervention outlined by Women for Wik - Monitoring the Federal Intervention. For more information contact WomenSpeak Network Coordinator, Kathy Richards, Phone 02 6230 5150, mobile 0413 065 822, email womenspeak@ywca.org.au
Adelaide, Wednesday 14 November
Human Rights Coalition Election Forum
5.45 pm- 8.00pm, Otherway Centre, 185 Pirie Street, Adelaide
Opening addresses by two Aboriginal women each with a long history of activism in support of Northern Territory Aboriginal communities, one Arrende and one from the Top End.
Candidates from the Liberal Party, ALP, Greens, Democrats, Family First, and Nick Xenophon have been invited to express their views on the Intervention Chaired by Chris Egan (Ngarrindjeri, Ramandjeri and Gurindji), former Public Servant specialising in Equity issues
There has been evidence of, and media attention to, gross dysfunction among many Aboriginal communities for most if not all of the 11 years the Howard government has been in office.
A few short months ago, John Howard initiated the Federal Government Northern Territory intervention to address child abuse and community dysfunction. The response to the initiative among Aboriginal leaders has been very mixed, with concern being voiced about negative impacts of the intervention, including invasion of the human rights of Aboriginal people.
Two Aboriginal community activists and candidates from the Liberal Party, ALP, Greens, Democrats, Family First, and Nick Xenophon have been invited to a Human Coalition Election Forum to express their views on the Intervention. Outcomes of the event will be forwarded to all the parties.
Whatever your view, it is important to let the political parties contesting the election know. If you don't attend any other pre-election forum, make sure you come along to this one!
Enquiries to Sue Gilbey 8410 0303 Brisbane, Throughout November SACRED BUSINESS: ELECTIONS 2007
FAIRA invites the public to attend these important forums (see below) on the rights of the Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, and to consider the human rights issues that are the most important agenda for Australia's successful future.
15 November
Reconciliation, Promises and Lies
Southbank
22 November
Voting for Aboriginal Self Determination
Brisbane City Hall
Brisbane, Saturday 17 November
Rally and March
11am, Queens Park, George and Elizabeth Streets
This rally and march is being held in protest against the Howard government's policies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This involves a march, so you are reminded to bring a hat and a bottle of water. A number of Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory will be holding a rally or meeting in solidarity at noon that day. For more information contact Sam Watson, mobile 0401 2274 443, email watson@oznetcom.com.au Darwin, 17th November
National Day of Action for indigenous rights 10 am, meet at Saville Hotel and walk to Raintree Park
There will be a gathering at Raintree Park following this protest march. Music, speakers, information. Intervention, UN convention, reconciliation, Aotearoa solidarity.
Melbourne, 18th November
Rally, Federation Square
Rally at Federation Square for Victoria's ANTaR's 10th Anniversay of the Sea of Hands. Contact liz.conor@unimelb.edu.au _________________________ Melbourne:
1pm Sunday 18th November
GPO Building
Cnr Bourke St and Elizabeth St, CBD. hey all,
this Sunday is the National Day of Action for Indigenous Justice in
Australia!
Stand up in Solidarity with Indigenous Nations.
Call for Self-determination not Intervention.
Always was, Always will be, Aboriginal Land
www.votenuclearfee. net
_______________________________________________ Sydney, 18th November NSW ANTaR's 10th Anniversay of the Sea of Hands 11am-3pm, Victoria Park, Camperdown (Cnr Parramatta & City Roads)
Sydney, Sunday 18 November Family gathering and rally MAKE OUR VOTE COUNT!
Where: Redfern Community Centre
When: 10am, Sunday 18th November, 2007
Rally: along Cleveland Street to Victoria Park
Speakers: Shane Phillips & NT community representatives
WEAR RED AND BRING YOUR BANNERS, YOUR FLAGS, PLACARDSSAND MOST OF ALL, YOUR MOB!!
On Saturday 24th a new Federal Government will be decided. This meeting and rally, one week out from the election, is our chance to ensure Aboriginal voices are heard loud and clear and the injustices of the Government's invasion of Aboriginal communities in the NT are known about.
Of all the criticisms of the 11 year Howard Government, their legacy in Indigenous Affairs will surely be remembered as a low point in the history of this country.
They were elected in 1996 on a wave of racism sparked by the former Liberal candidate Pauline Hanson and have since been unrelenting in their attacks on Indigenous rights and politics. We can see this in their approval of the Hindmarsh Island Bridge, amendments to native title after Wik, the Reconciliation convention, the mounting of legal action defending past Government's removal of children, the white-washing of Australia's history, abolition of ATSIC, axing of the CDEP and now with the measures in the NT to name only a few.
In the NT the Government's so-called emergency intervention followed the Anderson & Wild report on the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse in the NT. The Federal Government initiated an 'emergency response' and have since passed several laws giving them wide ranging powers over Aboriginal people's lives, land, resources, stores and enterprises. These include new powers to manage welfare benefits of all Aboriginal people in the NT, changes to land rights (eg axing of permit system to communities), assumption of 5 year lease over Aboriginal land and greater controls by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs (eg Minister can determine who can live in the community) and changes to bail and criminal law.
The Anderson & Wild report noted serious issues and the need for an urgent community led response. No-where did it recommend taking Aboriginal land, abolishing the CDEP or control of the lives of Aboriginal people as if they're children. This intervention has been criticised as compromising human rights, democracy, freedom, self-determination and Indigenous rights. Others have said if these powers can be exercised over Aboriginal communities in the NT it can happen in NSW as well.
Come along to this family friendly gathering at the Redfern Community centre where we will walk along Cleveland St to Victoria Park and join up with other events are being held in the Park. Meet 10am, Sunday 18th November, 2007.
-- Claire Smith, Department of Archaeology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide. SA 5001. Australia
President, World Archaeological Congress
Women for Wik - Monitoring the Federal Action in the Northern Territory
Sixth WAC Congress, WAC-6, University College Dublin, Ireland, 29th June-4 July 2008 _______________________________________________
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