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Brough’s Loss is Aboriginal People’s Win

25 November 2007 - Media Release - The grassroots organisation Women for Wik, which has been monitoring the Federal intervention in the Northern Territory, has described the change of Federal government as a potentially transforming moment in relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Rachel Willika

Olga Havnen

photos courtesy Priscilla Brice-Weller/ANTaR

The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, lost his seat, with a swing of around 10%, considerably higher than the national average.

“Mal Brough has lost the trust of Aboriginal people, and John Howard has lost the trust of the Australian people,” said Olga Havnen, CEO of the Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the NT.

“The magnitude of a swing against Mal Brough shows that the Northern Territory intervention has been a low-key but critical factor in this election,” said Ms Havnen. “Not only is this intervention a travesty against Aboriginal people’s rights, but it has been a shambles.”

“This election result is a moral victory for Australia,” said Eileen Cummings, former Policy Advisor to the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, “This election was decided on moral grounds, rather than economic self-interest. We thank the Australian people for their support.”

“That John Howard has no heart,” said Rachel Willika, of Eva Valley community. “This intervention is hurting Aboriginal families. Maxine McKew said Kevin Rudd would be a great Prime Minister for children. I hope he is a great Prime Minister for all children, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal.”

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia represents the very heart of Australia, with its deep relationship to the land, it’s art and it’s dance”, said Christine Olsen, writer-producer of the film Rabbit Proof Fence. “The Howard government has never understood this but Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have continued to survive despite all the attacks on them.”

“Let us hope that under the incoming Labor government Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be given their rightful recognition as not only the original owners of this land but as the living, breathing, heart of this country,” said Ms Olsen.

“Aboriginal people have supported the Labor Party. Now it’s time for the Labor Party to show us that our support is justified,” said Ms Cummings, “We want to meet with Kevin Rudd as soon as possible. We can’t wait for a review after 12 months.”

CONTACTS - http://www.womenforwik.org/

WOMEN FOR WIK- MONITORING THE FEDERAL ACTION IN THE NT

STATEMENT

The Federal Action in the Northern Territory could provide a unique opportunity to improve conditions in Aboriginal communities, but there is also a real possibility that it may make things worse. As currently planned, it will undermine key aspects of Aboriginal societies - country, kin and culture. Moreover, by using a top-down approach, it has the potential to work against self-government and, in some instances, contravene human rights. This will not improve the lives of Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory.

Accordingly, we call on both Federal and Territory governments to recognise the importance of Indigenous identity and develop an environment of mutual respect through cross-cultural awareness, communication and engagement. Like the many Australians who walked the Sydney Harbour Bridge in support of reconciliation, we believe our generation can ensure a fair go for Indigenous citizens.

SUPPORTERS

Prominent women supporting us monitoring the Federal Action in the Northern Territory include Lady Deane, Tamie Fraser, Lowitja O'Donoghue, Justice Elizabeth Evatt, Helen Caldicott, Anne Deveson, Kate Grenville, Gabi Hollows, Faith Bandler, Anita Heiss, Margaret Fulton, Rosemary Stanton and Margaret Pomeranz.

ABOUT WOMEN FOR WIK - MONITORING THE INTERVENTION

Women for Wik came to prominence in 1997 when we opposed the Howard government's 10-Point plan which promised 'bucketloads of extinguishment' to Native Title. In a massive groundswell of support, 130 women's organisations, representing hundreds of thousands of Australian women, endorsed our statement of support for native title land rights. Thirteen National Treasures were among our supporters, including Faith Bandler, Margaret Whitlam, Elizabeth Jolley and Ruth Cracknell.Exactly ten years later we believe it is time for us to step back into the arena.
The Northern Territory National Emergency Response Act 2007 and the Aboriginal Land Rights (NT) (Township Leasing) Amendment Bill, categorised as 'special measures' - emergency legislation to prevent child abuse - has been rushed through Parliament. There was no proper consultation with the Indigenous groups immediately affected by the legislation. Nor was there time for proper debate and scrutiny by the Australian public generally.

In light of the suspension of the Racial Discrimination Act, and compulsory acquisition of Aboriginal land, assets and property, Women for Wik support the call by the Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the Northern Territory for the Federal government to repeal these bills. These laws, while claiming to be about child abuse, take people's land from them and remove their right to control access to that land. This is a direct threat to Aboriginal culture, and has nothing to do with the issue of child abuse. Obviously the issue of child abuse is extremely urgent, as it is in non-Indigenous communities. The twenty-five official reports written on the state of Indigenous health since 1977 have already identified abuse of alcohol and lack of education as keys to the problem.

Women for Wik is committed once again to the same grass roots process. We will scrutinise this legislation, bring it forward to public debate, monitor the Federal intervention in the Northern Territory and document its effect on peoples' lives. We will link with the hundreds of reconciliation groups around Australia. Under the guidance of Aboriginal elders and community groups we will provide a forum for the voices of Indigenous women in the NT.

The Federal intervention, now enshrined in law, could provide a unique opportunity to improve conditions in the Indigenous communities in the NT, but there is also a real possibility that it could only make things worse. It could undermine the key aspects of NT Indigenous societies - country, kin and culture - and by using a top-down approach to management, work against self-government and, in some instances, contravene human rights.

Accordingly, we support the call by the Chief Minister of NT Clare Martin to recognise the importance of Indigenous identity and develop an environment of mutual respect through cross - cultural awareness, communication and engagement. Like the half-million Australians who walked the Harbour Bridge in support of reconciliation, we believe our generation can ensure a fair go for Indigenous citizens. We believe that the majority of Australians want to bring the reconciliation process back on the track of decency and justice and that this can be achieved.

"It is up to the women of Australia to get our country back on the path of reconciliation." Lady Deane

Source: Women for Wik

Further information: NT Intervention issues page - includes news index and external links

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