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Keeping Them Home
The most recent data shows that the number of children being moved into out-of-home care in the Northern Territory has just about doubled since 2007. Two-thirds of these children are being placed with non-Indigenous families away from their communities.
Elder Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra, as spokesperson for Yolngu Makarr Dhuni calls for this trend to be reversed by increasing family support services in communities. He has written to the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Adam Giles, asking him for his support.
If you would like to support Djiniyini’s request click on the campaign document
Letter from Djiniyini Gondarra to Adam Giles
What Did We Learn from “Bringing Them Home”?
Please sign: Keeping Them Home Petition |
Community Living Areas (CLAs)
CLA Media Release by the governmentCLA Discussion Paper
Rather than providing certainty and support to Aboriginal people in Community Living Areas (CLAs) in the NT, the Federal Government continues its obsessive march to remove control from Aboriginal Peoples.
It is understood that current leases for CLAs need to be less restrictive, and there is evidence for this from some of the larger CLAs. The Federal Government, however, intends to use this opportunity to take control over future development in these areas through sections 35 (4) and 35 (5) to the Stronger Futures legislation which allow changes to regulations without consultation with owners and where their consent is not required.
Such loss of control will deny certainty for those living in CLAs and deny them the right to self-determination.
This is disgraceful legislation and in breach of Australia’s commitments under international law. The controls that have been set are arbitrary and there is no avenue for appeal.
The Stronger Futures Legislation on Land Reform
35 (4) Before making regulations for the purposes of subsection (1) in relation to a community living area, the Minister must consult with:(a) the Government of the Northern Territory; and(b) if the owner of the land that is the community living area requests to be consulted about the making of regulations for the purposes of subsection (1)—the owner; and(c) the Land Council (within the meaning of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976) in whose area the community living area is located; and(d) any other person the Minister considers appropriate to consult.
35 (5) A failure to comply with subsection (4) does not affect the validity of the regulations.
Submission by 'concerned Australians' on CLAs – April 2013Submission by 'concerned Australians' on Stronger Futures Land Reform - January 2012Disempowerment in NT Communities Driven by Arrogant Policy and Inept ProcessesList of Community Living Areas in the NT as shown on the FaHCSIA website
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A Decision to DiscriminateAboriginal Disempowerment in the Northern TerritoryThrough the use of direct quotation, this new book is an important historical record that focuses on the Senate Committee Inquiry into the Stronger Futures legislation. It shows how the Government decision-making process chose to ignore the views expressed by many Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory communities, in much the same way as has happened since colonisation.The book will be launched in:Shepparton (VIC) - 31 May, 6.30pm for 7pm start(The presentation includes video clips and opportunities for questions)Ryde (NSW) - 11 June, 6.30pm - 9.00pm(including Film Screening "Our Generation")Past book launches:Sydney – 5 November 2012, 6pm for 6:30pmMelbourne – 7 November 2012, 12pm for 12.30pmCanberra – 13 November 2012, 5:30pmMurray Bridge (SA) – 16 November 2012, 7pmAdelaide – 9 December 2012, 2pmDarwin – 10 December 2012, 5:30pm(International Human Rights Day Celebration with Introduction to the book)Brisbane – 12 December 2012, 5:30pmBlackett (NSW) - 18 March 2013, 6pmMornington (VIC) - 12 April, 7 pm(including Film Screening ‘Our Generation’)Geelong (VIC) - 3 May, 2pmMona Vale (NSW) - 13 May, 7.30pm - 9.00pm(The book will be presented as part of the event "An update on NT Intervention")Mitcham (VIC) - 13 May, 7.15 for 7.30pm start – 9.30 pm(The book will be presented as part of the event "Human Rights and the Northern Territory")“A Decision to Discriminate” Order Form (PDF)Book reviewsSpeeches and photos from the launches |
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Djiniyini Gondarraat the Adelaide book launch
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Amelia Pangarte Kunoth-Monksat the Adelaide book launch
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Rosalie Kunoth-Monksat the Adelaide book launch
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Interview with Jeff McMullenon Blackchat Koori Radio 93.7FM with Lola Forester on 5 Nov 2012
with kind permission of Koori Radio 93.7FM |
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'concerned Australians' gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the
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Yolŋuw Makarr Dhuni(Yolŋu Nations Assembly)
Statement from the second Yolngu Nations Assembly meeting, Maningrida
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Stronger Futures and Associated Bills are Passed into Law - 29 June 2012
Response from the Northern Territory 27 June 2012:
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A Public Forum on the Northern Territory Intervention into Indigenous communities and the Stronger Futures legislation
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from top left: Prof Jon Altman, Barb Shaw,
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Incorporating the launch of Arena Magazine’s
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Press Conference on the Stronger Futures Legislation
in the Senate Courtyard at Parliament House, Canberra on 18 June 2012
Click here for the Statements made by Aboriginal, Church and Community Representatives
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Signing the Statement |
Yolŋuw Makarr Dhuni(Yolŋu Nations Assembly)
Statement regarding Australian Federal Government Stronger Futures Bills and Northern Territory Policies, to the Leaders of the Australian Federal and Northern Territory Parliaments
Click here for a copy of the Statement
Churches, Religious, Organisations and Reconciliation Groups
Calls to Abandon the Stronger Futures Legislation, and
Calls to Support the Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement
Click here for their Statements |
Launch of the report "Listening But Not Hearing"by the Rt. Hon. Malcolm Fraser AC CH
The report, based on transcripts of the 2011 Consultations, was prepared by Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning and the Hon. Alastair Nicholson AO RFD QC. |
Audio recordings from the launch of the report on 8 March 2012
The Hon. Alastair Nicholson AO RFD QC (excerpts) (MP3)Former Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia
The Rt. Hon. Malcolm Fraser AC CH (MP3)Former Prime Minister of Australia
Nicole Watson (MP3)Senior Researcher, Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning, co-author of the report
The Hon Ian Viner AO QC (MP3)Former Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
The Hon. Frank Vincent AO QC (MP3)Provost of the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre, Former Chancellor, Victoria University
Click here for a copy of the report (PDF) |
From left to right:Ian Viner, Frank Vincent, Malcom Fraser, Nicole Watson, Alastair Nicholson |
The House of Representatives debates the Stronger Futures LegislationMonday, 27th February 2012 |
13 March 2012
Statement supported by 28 Leading Australiansis sent to Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott and Bob Brown calling on Government to Abandon the Stronger Futures Legislation
Names of Supporters |
Senate request for inquiry
The Selection of Bills Committee referred the Stronger Futures Bills to the Community Affairs Committee on 25 November 2011.
The reason for Referral/Principal Issues for Consideration:
The Effect of measures and implementation plans, evidence of community awareness / acceptance. Assessment of intended and unintended consequences.
(See Appendix 8 of the Selection of Bills Committee
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Senate Hearing at Maningrida 22 February 2012Watch this video on vimeo
The above video is a compilation from the hearing (13 min).
Click here for the full recording of the hearing
Transcripts of the Senate Hearings:
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Stronger Futures Forumheld at Maningrida on21 February 2012
Aboriginal people from West, Central and East Arnhem Land give their views on the proposed Stronger Futures Legislation
Facilitator: Jeff McMullen
This video was produced by NITV(National Indigenous Television) |
NT Consultations Report 2011: By QuotationsConsultations took place in the NT between June and August 2011, at the request of government. Ten of these consultations were recorded and quotations from them are contained in this report.Launch & Press Conf. on the Stronger Futures legislation with
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Alice Springs Public MeetingAlice Springs Town CampsBagotDarwin Public MeetingGaliwin'ku |
KintoreManingridaMutitjuluYirrkala |
Videos from the Launch and Press Conferenceon the Stronger Futures legislation |
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From the Introduction-by Jeff McMullen |
Commentary on the Proposed Stronger Futures Legislation -by The Hon. Alastair Nicholson AO RFD QC |
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From the Commentary -by The Hon. Frank Vincent AO QC |
Opinion:
NTER Evaluation 2011
Prepared by 'concerned Australians' in November 2011
Click here for a copy of this document (PDF) |
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Cuts to Welfare Payments
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| Watch this video on Youtube | No More! Enough is Enough!Statement by Northern Territory Elders and Community Representatives
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Central Land Council, Kalkaringi, 26 August 2011 (PDF)
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Walk With UsAboriginal Elders Call Out to Australian People
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CHILDREN OF THE INTERVENTION - Aboriginal Children Living in the Northern Territory of Australia
Click here for a copy of this report (PDF)
This report is a complement to the report"Listen to Children - 2011 Child Rights NGO Report Australia"by the Child Rights Taskforce.The Child Rights Taskforce is a coalition of organisations committed to the protection and promotion of child rights in Australia. The co-convenors of the Taskforce are NCYLC and UNICEF Australia.Click here for a copy of the "Listen to Children" report (PDF) |
Aboriginal Leaders meet
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| Letter to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
We would like to sincerely thank all who added their name to this letter to Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Just over 6,500 signatures were presented by Djapirri Mununggirritj to the Commissioner in Darwin on Friday 20th May.
Signatures were collected from every State and Territory and a large percentage were from NT towns and communities.
Letter to Navi Pillay (PDF) |
A Further Conversation with Elders
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From left to right: Dhanggal Gurruwiwi from Yirrkala, George Gaymarani Pascoe from Milingimbi, Rosalie Kunoth-Monks OAM from Utopia, Betty Pike, a Nyoonga woman from SW Australia, Miriam Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann AM from Nauiyu (Daly River), Djapirri Mununggirritj from Yirrkala, Rev Dr. Djiniyini Gondarra OAM from Galiwin'ku and Harry Jakamarra Nelson from Yuendumu |
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LOSS OF RIGHTS - the Despair of Aboriginal Communities in the Northern Territory
A submission to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination by ‘concerned Australians’ August 2010
Prepared by Submission to the CERD by 'concerned Australians'
Click here for a copy of this report (PDF) |
Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM and Rosalie Kunoth-Monks OAM with Australian Racial Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes at the UN
Report by Rev.Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM and Rosalie Kunoth Monks OAM (LINK)Media Release by ‘concerned Australians' (DOC) |
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Australian Aboriginal people give their views on the Northern Territory Intervention - February 2010“This Is What We Said” Order Form (DOC)“This Is What We Said” Media Release (DOC)
Launched on 9 February 2010 at Melbourne University by
The Hon.Alastair Nicholson AO RFD QC
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Conversation with Elders held at the Melbourne University Law School on 19 May 2010.Elders: Roslaie Kunoth-Monks OAM from Utopia in Central Australia Facilitated by well-known journalist, Jeff McMullen Conversation with Elders Transcript (DOC)
Click here for video with Elders night
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“Will They Be Heard?” – a response to the NTER Consultations June to August 2009
The Hon. Alastair Nicholson AO RFD QC
Larissa Behrendt, Professor of Law & Director of Research at Jumbunna Houseof Indigenous Learning, University of Technology,Sydney,and Theo Mackaay, General Secretary, Victorian Council of Churches
“Will They Be Heard?” Media Release (DOC)
“Will They Be Heard?” Report (PDF) |
PO Box 281 East Melbourne Victoria, 8002
info@concernedaustralians.com.au |
"If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."Lilla Watson and a group of Aboriginal activists in Queensland in the 1970s |
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