Federal Government Intervention in the Northern Territory
The Sisters of St Joseph recently invited Ms Olga Havnen, Head of Indigenous Strategy Development for the Red Cross, to come and break open some of the complexities of the legislation underpinning the Federal Government intervention in the Northern Territory. Olga gave a very clear picture of what is happening and why it is happening.
Those who attended the day with Olga at Baulkham Hills heard first hand accounts of the impact of the Intervention on the lives of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory, as well as much background information that provided an overall context for understanding what is really a very complex set of measures. The group assembled at Baulkham Hills is committed to following through with action to assist in bringing justice to the people of the Territory.
The South Australian Province Reconciliation Circle, mentored by Aboriginal women Alitya Rigney and Pilawuk White, have worked long and hard on this issue and were really instrumental in bringing to light among the Josephite community the extremely serious nature of this matter. Their persistent and ongoing commitment to Reconciliation and Aboriginal issues in our country is a wonderful example to all to keep moving forward. We thank them very much. The South Australian Reconciliation Circle and Laraine Crowe at the Josephite Leaders Social Action Office, both prepared submissions for the Northern Territory Emergency Response Review and a copy of these can be downloaded here.
This Review is to examine and assess the overall progress of the Northern Territory Emergency Response in improving the safety and wellbeing of children and laying the basis for a sustainable and better future for residents of remote communities in the Northern Territory, and in particular, in improving the education, health, community safety and employment outcomes for citizens, and particularly women and children, resident in remote communities and town camps in the Northern Territory. Fine words indeed. It seems that no one, including Aboriginal people, has much idea about what the Review Board will recommend to the government regarding the future of the NT Intervention.
Some of the major issues about the Legislation fly in the face of Catholic Social Teaching and the Gospel and some main concerns in this regard are around:
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The lack of respect for the basic human rights of Aboriginal people
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The suspension of the Racial Discrimination Act relating to the legislation,
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The complete lack of consultation with Aboriginal people about any aspect of the measures proposed
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Removing structures and process that result in self-determination
The Board is due to report to the government by the end of September so let us pray that the voice of those so disempowered will be heard and that the Federal Government winds back this destructive legislation. Let us pray for ourselves that we will be strong in heeding and responding to the call of the 25th General chapter.
The Chapter calls us to respond to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) peoples by:
- strengthening our Congregational commitment to ministry among Aboriginal peoples
- developing structures to support this ministry
- promoting employment of ATSI peoples in our various ministries
The Chapter calls us to respond to the crises among First Peoples by:
- addressing racism
- continuing our public stance with and on behalf of First Peoples
- Continuing, as part of Josephite protocol, the public acknowledgement of traditional custodians
- Engaging in the lives and stories of the Peoples
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