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New resolve needed to expose Indigenous Myths

23 December 2002 - Australian Council of Social Service - Media Release - Now that the debate about the once-a-year-myth of Santa Claus has been exhausted, Australians should use this time of reflection to examine the year-round myths about Indigenous Australians, ACOSS President, Andrew McCallum said today.

Mr McCallum released 'Budget Priorities - Indigenous Australia', a report designed to address Indigenous disadvantage in Australia. He pointed to a survey that showed 52% of Australians believed the myth that Indigenous Australians are not disadvantaged.

"If people believe this is true, then they really do believe in Santa Claus," Mr McCallum said.

"Unfortunately, as so often with myths, the facts get in the way. For example, life expectancy for Indigenous Australians is 76% than that of other Australians (approximately 20 years) unemployment is almost four times higher; the median family income is about two-thirds of the rest of the country; hospital admissions of Indigenous women for reasons of violence is 24 time higher than for the rest of the community.

"The government needs to make it their new year's resolution to develop a strategy to create a new, respectful and equitable relationship with Indigenous Australians and address the massive inequalities faced by them.

"Collaboration and cross-sector involvement is a necessary first step in developing these policies which should commence in the next budget.

"ACOSS through its 'Budget Priorities - Indigenous Australia' report is providing the government with concrete strategies to address the needs of Indigenous Australians - including employment and education and family support.

"Access to education and training is an important strategy to overcome poverty with completion of Year 12 greatly increasing chances of employment. However it is worrying to see the decline by nearly 15% of school students receiving ABSTUDY.

Although Indigenous participation in vocation education and training is rising, university enrolments are in decline.

"ACOSS recommends that ABSTUDY should receive additional funding of $12 million over the next four years to ensure that eligible people are provided with a full range of supports.

With this should be a comprehensive review of ABSTUDY, involving Indigenous communities and organisations, to ensure that the scheme meets the needs of the people it is supposed to assist.

"Another priority is supporting families - and Indigenous families more support, for access to childcare and other services. ATSIC also needs additional funds to address long standing issues of sexual assault and domestic violence in Indigenous communities.

"ACOSS recommends that government provide $7 million to assist in the expansion of the Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services program. Mr McCallum, in launching the report, wished all Australians a peaceful and prosperous new year.

Source:Australian Council of Social Service

related links:

• Budget Priorities – Indigenous Australia (4.1mb Word file)
• Face the Facts
  Written by the Federal Race Discrimination Commissioner.
  Who is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person? What is Reconciliation? What is self-determination? Where do Indigenous people live today? ...
  You can also download this file from the ENIAR site in PDF format (121kb file)
• Rebutting the Myths
  Reconciliation and Social Justice Library
• Money that's black and white and spent all over
  The dollars may appear black, but there are plenty of "grey" areas. Not all native title dollars are being used to Aboriginal advantage. They are being used to help those opposing native title claims. They are being used to help other landholders and the nation deal with the fallout of a High Court decision - the landmark Mabo finding in 1992 that native title exists.
• While ideologues bicker, indigenous Australians die
  In 1996, the Howard Government came to power trumpeting its commitment to free speech, especially in the area of indigenous affairs. Last week, Aboriginal social justice commissioner William Jonas accused it of seeking to "shut down debate" about reconciliation.
• Tackling Indigenous disadvantage demands new election commitment
  14 October 2001 - ACOSS - A new call for the major political parties to commit to overcoming Indigenous disadvantage by negotiating an agreement or treaty with Indigenous Australians has been issued by over 50 charities and community welfare organisations in the lead up to the Federal Election.

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