Interview with the Pariah

19 april 2002

Delirra: Mick Lambe, thanks for talking to Delirra today. Can you tell us a little bit about what you do?

PARIAH: We publicize the racism that has a hold on this country and its institutions.

Delirra: I know you have a website called PARIAH. How else do you publicise these issues?

PARIAH: Direct action. The courts. The Anti-Discrimination Commission and some heavy networking, that involves comparative analysis of Australia's problems with other countries.

Delirra: What do you see as the major problems that Australia and the NT has and how do we compare with other countries... and other states?

PARIAH: We use the slogan "racism, militarism and nationalism = fascism" - - to condense a fairly complex mixture of our history, ties with other imperialist countries (America, UK...et al) and the 'attitudes' that comprise 'modern' Australia.

Obviously the NT has real problems after 26 years of corrupt and blatantly racist CLP policies. Our problems are essentially those of any invasive culture that didn't entirely succeed in decimating their indigenous populations.

The parallels are strinkingly similar. Blaming the victim and revisionism seem a universal response to indigenous claims for justice. Obviously the fact that the NT didn't get around to annihilating their Aboriginal population (as happened down South) makes the situation here unique in Australia.

Delirra: The NT is unique in what many people see as multiculturism and a vibrant mix of cultures and peoples and especially Aboriginal people. What do you see as the racism and discrimination against Aboriginal people?

PARIAH: Aboriginal people who wish to live 'traditionally' or outside the European paradigm have been punished here for over a century. Their treatment is a matter of Public Record ... from massacres to sexual slavery (drover's 'boys').

The low outcomes of Aboriginal people in every important social indicator, Health, Education, Employment, Imprisonment rates etc.. make it apparent that Aboriginal needs are not being met.

Furthermore Aboriginal people continue to be punished for refusing to 'integrate' into an alien and invasive culture. This is Aboriginal land.

Delirra: Do you think this is down to a concerted effort by certain political elements or do you think this is a broader social issue?

PARIAH: Our history in the treatment of Aboriginal people is a mixture of both. That there has been a concerted effort (genocide) in the NT is once again Public Record.

The Northern Territory Administrator's report of 1933 said: "In the (Northern) Territory the mating of an Aboriginal with any person other than an Aboriginal is prohibited. The mating of coloured aliens with any female of part Aboriginal blood is also forbidden."

"Every endeavour is being made to breed out the colour by elevating female half-castes to the white standard with a view to their absorption by mating into the white population."

Delirra: Specifically, what are the current issues in Darwin and the local area?

PARIAH: The constant harassment of the so-called 'itinerants'-- by NT Police, Night Patrol and the Darwin City Council is totally unjust. Many of these people are visiting relatives in Hospital or Prison -- or simply seeking some respite from Communities described as "dysfunctional" by Shane Stone, former CLP Chief Minister and more recently by Labor's John Ah Kit.

The impoundment of their belongings and a number of by-laws that ignore their cultural and social circumstances are simply racist. A fact illustrated almost daily in the local media. That long term camps in the Darwin area are still not recognized or serviced, is typical of the "monstering" approach promulgated by Shane Stone.

The justice system is also in need of an overhaul. Recently an Aboriginal man pleaded guilty to charges -- when in fact he was there by mistake. (It was a different case!) While I was in Berrimah Prison (due to an East Timor protest) I spoke to Aboriginal inmates who didn't know why they were there. Apart from the injustice -- it makes a mockery of any deterrent effect.

Delirra: You are very active in highlighting these issues and fighting these injustices. Do you think that this form of active protest is the only way to achieve change?

PARIAH: It's all that's ever worked in the past -- anywhere.

We have used the more 'formal' approaches...NT Ombudsman, NT ADC, Senate submissions...ad nauseum... to demonstrate our willingness to highlight injustice in the convential forums.

While we have certainly created change here on some levels -- it is apparent that 'legal' venues are closed to political activists in the NT. We are not the radicals. The ADC and courts have dismissed about 20 complaints and appeals and allowed armed vigilantes and Respondents to harass and intimidate us for years.

That they are blatantly biased and have acted in a protective role for racists -- (and Respondents in serious discrimination and victimization complaints) -- is what I consider to be radical. PARIAH have called for an inquiry into this 'state of affairs' a call backed by the NT Greens.

Essentially the Country Liberal Party, their corruption and blatant use of racism to hold power here created PARIAH. http://www.country-liberal-party.com

Delirra: On your website, you describe how you were harassed and victimised by both the council and police. I have been told that this was because you were squatting. Why do you think this happened?

PARIAH: That is a nonsense. I have every legal right to live where I did before Respondents in ADC complaints destroyed my home. I had lived there for seven years prior to the attempts by the CLP and Federal government to remove me.

Attempts that only occurred because I had complained of local racism and the obscenities screamed at me during a Mandorah Council meeting. In fact it was a Respondent -- Mandorah Town Clerk, Graham Watson who approached the Federal Australian Communications Authority (ACA) to remove me. Public Record.

Another attempt saw myself and my partner imprisoned for Trespass the day after an Australian Day action. This sort of political retaliation is a highlight of the numerous attacks we suffered. The Dept. Lands Planning and Environment notice cited that "an anonymous phonecall" to the DLPE had stated I was "annoying local residents". Sure. By acting within my rights to complain of discriminatory behaviour.

The NT Courts threw this attempt by the DLPE out and the family that now 'own' the Cox Peninsula -- the Singhs -- gave me permission to stay there as "long as I liked" as well as adopting me as "family". Nor is my home within the Klandorah (Mandorah) boundaries. I don't live there anymore because I was driven out and Police refused to charge the people (Respondents) responsible.

'Squatters' on the Cox Peninsula have not faced similar intimidation. Apart from the Kouncil's harassment of George Martin, who refused to bow to their bigotry. The Kouncil and the ADC share culpability in George's murder.

The Police and Kouncil harassment continued despite my 'win' in court and my position as Deputy Captain in the local Bushfire Brigade.

It is an absurd proposition by racist criminals desperate to discredit facts available in the Public Record.

Delirra: Do you think that your situation will change once the Federal government passes the Land commissioners findings and makes the Cox Peninsula Aboriginal land? And by the way, where are you now?

PARIAH: No. Police and local harassment would continue. Please understand that whenever we were in Darwin at the Mindil Beach PARIAH stall -- our home was ransacked. Until we get justice and the criminal clique running the Klandorah Kouncil is removed, we are essentially in danger at our isolated home. When things were particularly heated, Belyuen Aboriginal people would stay out there at night with us. Other people who stayed with us, simply left when they saw the level of local hostility. We're in Darwin. Not by choice.

Delirra: You mentioned that you were created by the CLP. Has the 'new' Labor government changed things?

PARIAH: Not really. The racism in NT institutions is still there and Labor are aware of the reality of how deeply racism is embedded in the Territory psyche.

(Quote) "They know the NT hierarchy, composed of Police, legal officers, government officials and a host of civil and military functionaries will hinder any policies that threaten their perceived interests. To take these parasites on would require "courage" -- Labor have chosen the cowardly option."

From - NT Labor's Ah Kit: PARIAH's response to his speech on Aboriginal affairs in the NT. http://www.country-liberal-party.com/pages/Ah-Kit.htm

The use of 'soft targets' such as Aboriginal 'itinerants' and drug users to tap into electoral biases are contemptible. An investigation into the CLP (and their interference in the legal processes regarding PARIAH) would be a breath of fresh air here.

Senator Trish Crossin has impressed us, with her stand against the NT's detention centre for asylum seekers.


Delirra: Do you think that the asylum seeker issue is a racist one?

PARIAH: Definitely. No-one who has talked to their fellow Australians, listened to talkback radio, surfed the web...etc, can fail to see that this is a racist issue.

It is further underlined by the fact we are imprisoning children behind razor wire in remote detention centres. The children of asylum seekers fleeing regimes we are either hostile to -- or at war with. I am disgusted that almost immediately after the drowning of 353 asylum seekers a poll showed that public opinion had hardened against them.

Howard was re-elected on the basis of that racist sentiment.

Delirra: What is your vision for the future of Darwin, Australia and the world?

PARIAH: We need desperately to begin a process of reassessment. We need to stop blaming the victims of repressive policies and to allow more cultural freedom - for 'European' sub-cultures as well. Education is the key to societal and individual empowerment and the tolerance needed to implement progressive policies. In the NT we need to (exclude) the CLP from any possibility of regaining political power. Once again -- an inquiry.

The CLP represent the regressive racism, militarism and nationalism PARIAH continue to expose and combat. Their support of the illegal and genocidal invasion of East Timor was an obscenity and the aforementioned low social outcomes of Aboriginal people is their direct responsibility.

The CLP spent millions fighting and losing every Aboriginal landclaim, but succeeded in creating massive animus to entrench their rule. Their manipulation of Darwin City boundaries to include the Cox Peninsula, is just one of many "illegal" moves that bears investigation. Darwin has an opportunity to become a huge tourist destination by keeping development within asthetic limits and encouraging Aboriginal involvement rather than attempting to exclude it.

A relaxation of marijuana laws and some projects similar to the RED schemes in the eighties to implement community improvements, would also see some unnecessary problems addressed and accent Darwin's popularity as a tourist destination. The Darwin Aboriginal camps -- legally recognized and constructed along innovative lines -- rather than 'European Institutional' also needs to be implemented.

An International Court being set up to arbitrate disputes is a positive idea. Unfortunately the USA refuse to be involved. They have simply ignored rulings by similar bodies in the past. Australia too -- could do with some rulings on its 'handling' of indigenous people and asylum seekers.

A need to end the military build-ups ...eg SE Asia are INCREASING (defence) spending despite the economic slump caused by State Corporatism in the nineties... to new heights. Given the surrender of the Russian Bear and China's Capitalist adventure it makes no sense at all. The winner as usual will be the USA military/industrial/oil combine and the losers... the people in those countries.

Fact. US Military budget 2002. If converted into silver dollars -- would circle this planet 27.5 times. This is simply insane -- and demonstrates the need for people to put an end to an unnecessary military expenditure killing more people with waste (than the arms it produces) through preventable disease and starvation.

There are no simple answers, we must tackle local issues with a global viewpoint to make a difference. The Net has proven a useful tool for PARIAH and other activists.

Educate.

Kudos to the Woomera 2002 mob.

Delirra: What do you think each student can do as individuals to begin the process of reconciliation?

PARIAH: Show respect... talk to Aboriginal people... LISTEN... support progressive groups that do the same.

http://www.pariahnt.org/NAP/pages/Articles_1.htm#art1