Events before the election

I have some catching up to do on election statements of the Labor Party in regards to the current Federal Government intervention in the Northern Territory. That catch-up is to follow soon.

For now, some information on upcoming events and meetings distributed by Women For Wik.

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, email womenspeak at ywca.org.au

Adelaide, Wednesday 14 November

Human Rights Coalition Election Forum

5.45pm–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!

Brisbane, Throughout November

Sacred Business: Elections 200715 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, email watson at 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, email liz.conor at unimelb.edu.au.

Sydney, 18th November

NSW ANTaR’s 10th Anniversay of the Sea of Hands

11am–3pm, Victoria Park, Camperdown (corner of Parramatta and City Roads)

Sydney, Sunday 18 November

Family gathering and rally
MAKE OUR VOTE COUNT!

Meet: 10am, Redfern Community Centre
Rally: along Cleveland Street to Victoria Park
Speakers: Shane Phillips and NT community representatives

WEAR RED AND BRING YOUR BANNERS, YOUR FLAGS, PLACARDS AND 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.