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| home | news lLabor would abolish ATSIC: Latham30 March 2004 - Opposition leader Mark Latham said today a Labor government would abolish Australia's peak indigenous body ATSIC - the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission. Mr Latham said the executive agency the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services (ATSIS) would also be abolished. "ATSIC is no longer capable of addressing endemic problems in indigenous communities," Mr Latham told reporters. "It has lost the confidence of much of its own constituency and the wider community." Mr Latham said Labor would coordinate indigenous services through the Council of Australian Governments. He said responsibility for program development and delivery would be transferred to regional bodies with support from a new national indigenous body which would release funding from the body. Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre spokesman Michael Mansell said while Mr Latham's criticisms of ATSIC were fair and reasonable, Aborigines wanted their own national body to tell politicians what they needed. "We all know ATSIC has to go, but something better must be put in its place," Mr Mansell said in a statement. "We do not need another federal instrumentality set up by the politicians to tell us what we need. "It has to be Aboriginal driven. "It has to be designed by Aborigines. "The Latham plan is a step backwards." "It is plain for all to see that the Howard government has had its mind set on scuttling Aboriginal Affairs. "It seems Mr Latham wants to do the same thing, but wants to get there quicker." Former ATSIC regional commissioner for north Queensland, Jenny Pryor, said leadership sagas had clouded the issue and that was a government responsibility. "I've always maintained that ATSIC is bigger than Geoff Clark and Sugar Ray Robinson and here we are in a time of crisis when we talk about having a political voice in this country, that you've got the opposition saying they want to abolish ATSIC and ATSIS." Mr Latham needed to do his homework on ATSIC's achievements in 14 years compared with other government departments responsible for funding indigenous services, Ms Pryor said. "If you have a look at some of the statistics in regard to incarceration, poor health and education, there is a need and there is a role for ATSIC to play. "It's going to be a very sad day if we lose that because I don't believe any government will replace the national voice for Aboriginal people in this country because it's all about mainstreaming and assimilation." Ms Pryor said if there was a problem with the leadership, the government had a responsibility to step in and fix it, "don't penalise every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person in this country." Source: AAP
Apology to Aborigines back on political agenda By Luke McIlveen in Canberra 30 March, 2004 - Federal Labor leader Mark Latham yesterday reignited the debate over Aboriginal reconciliation, saying he would expect an apology if his family were split up. "If anyone split up my family I would expect apologies down the track," he told a group of Canberra high school students. Mr Latham's remarks were his strongest yet on the controversial issue of reconciliation and came just two months after he wiped the issue from his speech at the ALP national conference. Leaked copies of the draft speech showed Mr Latham had intended to tell the Labor faithful that Australia was "big enough to say sorry" to Aborigines, but the words were removed from the final version. Mr Latham made the comments yesterday at a youth forum at Parliament House. He said a recent visit to Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory had convinced him of the need for white Australians to make amends. "We have got to face the fact as a country we have got pockets of Third-World poverty in some of our communities," he said. "We have got to bring them up to a first-world standard, a standard we take for granted as first-world citizens." A spokeswoman for Mr Latham said his comments about Aboriginal reconciliation were in line with Labor policy. "It's been Labor Party policy for a long time to offer an apology," she said. Mr Latham's remarks will add fuel to the long-running debate over whether or not white Australians should apologise for the past treatment of Aborigines, including the stolen generations. Prime Minister John Howard has maintained that apologising for the past treatment of Aborigines would achieve nothing. The co-chair of Reconciliation Australia, Fred Chaney, welcomed Mr Latham's remarks. "(It) indicates his understanding that practical and symbolic aspects of reconciliation are inseparable." Source:Adelaide Advertiser
Opportunity and Responsibility for Indigenous Australians ALP News Statements 30 March 2004 - Australia needs to find new ways of giving Indigenous Australians the opportunity to take responsibility for their future. A Labor Government will abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) and the executive agency Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services (ATSIS). We will establish a new framework for Indigenous self-governance and program delivery with a focus on regional partnerships and a new directly elected national representative body. ATSIC is no longer capable of addressing endemic problems in Indigenous communities. It has lost the confidence of much of its own constituency and the wider community. The current model has not delivered sufficient gains to Indigenous communities. It has been damaged by leadership turmoil, and the failure of the Howard Government to deliver reform. In Australian politics, every initiative to advance Indigenous Australia has come from Labor. Today Labor is announcing a new plan for improved Indigenous self-governance and program delivery. Labor's plan Labor will also re-affirm and strengthen the right of Indigenous Australians to inform and shape national policy, and to make key decisions in relation to their own communities. We will use the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) process and extensive consultation and negotiation with Indigenous Australians to create a new system of governance in Indigenous Affairs. Our model and consultations will be guided by the following principles: A national priority Labor aims to integrate and coordinate Federal, State, Territory and community-based Indigenous programs. A whole-of-government approach is needed to tackle Indigenous poverty and ensure that services and resources reach those in need. This is an essential foundation stone for better governance and service delivery to Indigenous communities. Partnership approach Labor's new partnership approach will incorporate the community and private sectors in the development and delivery of Indigenous services. Pooled funding will create the capacity to deliver a comprehensive suite of policy responses to address endemic community problems. Regional governance Directly-elected Indigenous regional bodies will make key decisions with support from their communities, the nationally elected body and the national government. Efforts by Indigenous communities to take greater responsibility for addressing endemic problems will be central to the success of Labor's plan. Opportunity and responsibility We will also demand that individuals and communities make the best use of government services by acting in a responsible way. The powerful combination of opportunity and responsibility can end the Third World poverty of many Indigenous communities. Advocacy, advice and accountability It will have responsibility for providing independent policy research and advocacy, delivering policy advice to government and the private sector, and monitoring policy outcomes. Consultation Cost Source: Australian Labor Party
Aboriginal affairs in danger of becoming election football ATSIC Media Release March 31, 2004 - ATSIC Townsville Regional Council Chairman Eddie Smallwood says he is concerned that Aboriginal affairs may become an election year political football with Indigenous Australians – and good indigenous affairs policy - the losers. Commenting on Federal Labor leader Mark Latham’s plans to abolish ATSIC, Mr Smallwood said he fears the forthcoming Federal election could become a competition to see who could kick ATSIC the furthest. “This is a real danger now, with Labor’s surprise announcement seen by many commentators as gazumping the Federal Government’s yet to be revealed response to its own million dollar review of ATSIC. “If this happens, the losers in all this will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. “There is a real risk we will see Aboriginal Affairs policy–as well as our people - knocked for six backwards,” he said. Mr Smallwood said Labor’s announcement was a surprise to most Indigenous people. “Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people support Labor and will see this as a big turn around.” He said that while ATSIC needed restructuring, abolishing the organisation without agreement by and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on what will replace it, was wrong. “Most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people would say abolishing ATSIC like this is wrong.” Mr Smallwood said there was still no replacement proposal on the table which would provide the same - let alone better - opportunities for Indigenous people to make policies, set priorities or influence the decisions which affect them. He said the test that needs to be applied to any proposal by either the Federal government or the Opposition was whether Indigenous people emerge in a better or worse position than when they started. “Self determination should be enhanced, not diminished. Our capacity to make decisions in matters which affect us improved, not removed. Our ability to decide for ourselves those things which improve our peoples’ lives and circumstances, must be advanced, not taken away.” Mr Smallwood said the terrible levels of disadvantage faced by Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders demands that debate on reforms in Indigenous Affairs should not be used as a political football. The need for reform was urgent, he said, and ATSIC wanted to see this achieved in partnership with governments across Australia, of all political persuasions. ATSIC would continue to contribute constructively to creative ways of achieving better outcomes, policies and representation for Indigenous people, he said. Mr Smallwood urged Indigenous people, journalists and other Australians interested in what should be happening in Indigenous affairs, to read ATSIC’s submissions and statements on the ATSIC review, the Review panel’s report, and now on Labor’s proposals, for themselves. Source:ATSIC
Abolishing ATSIC won’t solve complex problems 30 March 2004 - ATSIC welcomes the Federal Opposition’s adoption of many of our own proposals to establish a new framework for Indigenous self-governance but the Opposition is wrong in its call to abolish ATSIC before spelling out a clear alternative. Abolishing ATSIC would be a simplistic and wrong answer to the complex problems facing Indigenous Australians. Nor can it solve the problems of governments seeking effective policy and program delivery. If ATSIC were to be abolished then it is doubtful that anything which replaces it would provide the same opportunities for Indigenous people to make policies, set priorities, and influence the decisions which affect us. I state this as one who has consistently argued for a renewed, more vigorous and effective ATSIC which can truly represent the views and aspirations of Indigenous Australians. We are available to talk to Mr Latham and we are keen to engage with him and his colleagues in any discussions to solve the complex problems facing Indigenous peoples. During the past 18 months ATSIC has taken part in a comprehensive review of its operations which we believe has laid the foundations for a reformed and renewed organisation. As part of that review ATSIC called for a greater role at Regional Council level in program development and service delivery and the pooling of all federal government funding at the regional level. Last year the ATSIC Board of Commissioners also urged the introduction of direct elections for the Commission’s national leadership. ATSIC has already initiated similar proposals to Mr Latham’s, such as the signing of partnership agreements with State and Territory governments around the country. ATSIC is also taking part in Council of Australian Governments (COAG) trials in communities around Australia which are incorporating whole-of-government responses to the multiple problems in communities which stem from poverty. It is clear that ATSIC is actually implementing many of the Opposition’s proposals already. There is no need to abolish ATSIC – rather, we need to amend the ATSIC Act to provide a more effective organisation and better outcomes for Indigenous people. Minister Amanda Vanstone stated clearly a few weeks ago that ATSIC is not responsible for the problems which face Indigenous people but that all agencies need to take their share of responsibility. As the alternative Prime Minister, Mr Latham should be talking not about abolishing ATSIC but reforming the work of all government departments and agencies to deliver effective Indigenous programs. ATSIC is happy, however, to consider a new plan for improved self-governance and program delivery and welcomes the Opposition’s commitment to comprehensive consultation and negotiation on the details of its policy. It also supports major reform to the current administrative arrangements for the conduct of Indigenous affairs by Australian governments. ATSIC wants stronger recognition of the rights of Indigenous Australians to inform and shape national policy and to make key decisions in relation to their own communities. ATSIC supports giving Indigenous Australians the opportunity to take responsibility for key decisions on Indigenous program development and implementation. And it strongly supports an enhanced role for Regional Councils in this process. ATSIC also recognises the critical importance of a strong, representative national body as a voice of Indigenous Australia. We have been and are open to discuss reforms which would achieve this. The need for meaningful reform is urgent. ATSIC wants to see it achieved in partnership with governments across Australia of all political persuasions. The desperate disadvantage faced by Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders demands that the debate on reforms in Indigenous affairs should not be used as a political football. ATSIC stands ready to contribute constructively to creative ways of achieving better outcomes on the ground for our people. It calls on all parties to outline their policy directions in the lead-up to the next election and to consult with ATSIC, with Regional Councils and other Indigenous leaders on the details of their reform proposals. I am more than willing to discuss all these issues with Mr Latham. I await his phone call. Source:ATSIC
Labor's new ATSIC plan TV PROGRAM TRANSCRIPT 30 March, 2004 - TONY JONES: Ever since his "troops home by Christmas" interview last week Mark Latham's been struggling to get back on the front foot. He's watched his media honeymoon end, his polls slip and today he faced the prospect of further Government ridicule in Parliament. What better time to launch a new and controversial policy -- to scrap the failing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission created by the Hawke Government in the late 1980's. In doing so -- Labor appears to have beaten the Government to the punch. Here's Stephen McDonell on the death knell for the embattled organisation that it was once hoped would give Aboriginal people control of their own affairs. STEPHEN McDONELL: Today Mark Latham, along with the Shadow Aboriginal Affairs Minister, made an announcement that could spell the end of ATSIC. MARK LATHAM, OPPOSITION LEADER: I'm here with Kerry O'Brien to announce that the Labor caucus this morning decided that a Labor Government will abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, ATSIC, and the executive agency of ATSIS. STEPHEN McDONELL: ATSIC was set up in the late 1980s by the Hawke Government to better manage Aboriginal affairs through a strong central body and a network of elected regional councils. Recently it's been criticised by the Howard Government, which split the commission into two bodies -- ATSIC and ATSIS. They have a combined budget of over $1,000 million and critics say the money is not being well spent. What's more, according to Mark Latham, ATSIC and ATSIS have lost the support of Aboriginal people. MARK LATHAM: ATSIC is no longer capable of addressing endemic problems in indigenous communities. It has lost the confidence of much of its own constituency and the wider community. Unhappily the current model has not delivered sufficient gains to indigenous communities and it's been very much damaged by leadership turmoil. STEPHEN McDONELL: The Opposition Leader also blamed the Howard Government for gutting ATSIC. It's unclear what Labor would replace ATSIC with but Mark Latham said he favoured a 3-tiered system, with a network of regional partnerships, a national statutory organisation controlling the funds and a separate directly-elected national body to deliver advice to Government. Labor's already drawing criticism. ADEN RIDGEWAY, DEMOCRATS SENATOR: It is shameful, I think, that they have decided to take an approach without talking to indigenous people. REPORTER: Are you aware that they consulted with any indigenous people on this? ADEN RIDGEWAY: Well, I am not aware, and he certainly hasn't said anything public, that I am aware of, in relation to any indigenous leader in this country. STEPHEN McDONELL: But according to the acting head of ATSIC, there were discussions with Labor's Shadow Minister, although no talk of this type of an announcement. LIONEL QUARTERMAINE, ACTING CHAIR ATSIC: We don't need to abolish ATSIC. We just need to change the act to ensure that what the Opposition's talking about is given full strength. STEPHEN McDONELL: The response of the Aboriginal Affairs Minister was one in full attack mode, aimed directly at Mark Latham. AMANDA VANSTONE, INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS MINISTER: A new realisation that suddenly dawned on him. There's something wrong at ATSIC. Well, hold on, mate, buddy, pal, where have you been? Where have you been? STEPHEN McDONELL: The Government is currently carrying out its own review of ATSIC. As early as next week this could prompt a response, including the commencement of proceedings to remove ATSIC chairman Geoff Clark. There's speculation tonight that the timing of Labor's announcement could have less to do with helping indigenous Australians and really has everything to do with getting the jump on the government as a key political issue. Stephen McDonnell, Lateline. Source: ABC
My 'sorry' story By Luke McIlveen in Canberra March 30, 2004 - Mark Latham has reignited the debate over Aboriginal reconciliation, saying he would expect an apology if his family were split up. "If anyone split up my family I would expect apologies down the track," Mr Latham told a group of high school students in Canberra yesterday. The Opposition Leader's remarks were his strongest yet on the controversial issue of reconciliation and came just two months after he wiped the issue from his speech at the ALP national conference. Leaked copies of the draft speech showed Mr Latham had intended to tell the Labor faithful that Australia was "big enough to say sorry" to Aborigines, but the words were removed from the final version. Mr Latham made his comments yesterday at a youth forum at Parliament House, attended by high school students from the Canberra region. He said a recent visit to Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory had convinced him of the need for white Australians to make amends. "We have got to face the fact as a country we have got pockets of Third World poverty in some of our communities," Mr Latham said. "We have got to bring them up to a First World standard, a standard we take for granted as First World citizens." His remarks will add fuel to the long-running debate over whether or not white Australians should apologise for the treatment of Aborigines in the past, including the so-called stolen generations. Until now, the rookie leader has preferred to focus on less inflammatory policy areas such as health, superannuation and the environment. Mr Latham's apparent willingness to apologise should he win government puts him in direct conflict with Prime Minister John Howard. Mr Howard has maintained that apologising for the past treatment of Aborigines would achieve nothing. Indigenous Affairs Minister Amanda Vanstone says it is time to move on from an "ideological debate" about an apology. The Labor Leader has said previously that the best way to achieve reconciliation between black and white Australians was to end Aboriginal poverty. Reconciliation Australia co-chair Fred Chaney welcomed Mr Latham's remarks. "These two sentences from the Leader of the Opposition indicate his understanding that practical and symbolic aspects of reconciliation are inseparable," Mr Chaney said. Source:The Daily Telegraph
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