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key indigenous australian issues
| home | news l"Tuckey takes wrecking-bar to Tent Embassy"18 July 2003 - ANTaR - Media Release - The ACT branch and the national office of Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) today condemned the removal of the historic building from the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. "Not only did Mr Tuckey fail to condemn the suspected arson at the embassy, but he has weighed in with his own wrecking-bar by ordering the removal of an historic, heritage-listed building" said David Cooper, ANTaR spokesperson. "Minister Tuckey, on the pretext of safety concerns, has used the terrible recent events to pre-empt the formal review process currently underway. This makes a mockery of the Minister's self-professed patience and commitment to negotiation and consultation. "Mr Tuckey has previously told ANTaR the original Tent Embassy protest was of 'iconic status' in Australian history. "Is this how the Minister for Territories treats an Australian cultural icon? "Mr Tuckey's actions are an illustration of how progress on reconciliation has become blocked by the hostile and self-serving agendas of the federal government. "Mr Tuckey should swap his wrecking-bar for genuine negotiation", Mr Cooper concluded. Source: ANTaR ACT Suspected arson attack on Tent Embassy14 June 2003 - Police are investigating a suspected arson attack which destroyed an education building at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra in the early hours of Saturday morning. The blaze, at the site outside Old Parliament House, followed another suspicious incident about a month ago. ACT Police Superintendent Charmaine Quade told reporters the circumstances surrounding the fire were suspicious and a team of forensic experts had examined the scene. "The matter is currently under investigation by members of the Australian Federal Police, who are looking at forensic and investigation issues to determine the cause of the fire and those who may be responsible," she said. Police and firefighters were called to the fire in an old shipping container turned demountable building about 4am (AEST) Saturday. Officers believe a failed attempt was also made to set fire to another structure next to the container. Six people were at the site when the fire broke out, but no-one was injured. Supt Quade was unable to comment on reports the fire could have been the result of a petrol bomb or may have involved a similar accelerant. She confirmed police had been advised of another suspicious incident at the embassy site about a month ago. "There was an incident about a month that was reported to police in regards to containers that were found near the Aboriginal Tent Embassy and that ... is still an active investigation," Supt Quade said. Tent embassy resident Damien Eade accused police of failing to listen to concerns raised after the incident a month ago. "These are the sort of things (we constantly) have to put up with at the embassy," he said. "We have got children down on site. Does it have to take someone to die before someone does anything about it? "The police should have actually acted on this thing a month ago, they should have increased patrols. I find it quite appalling they don't do that sort of thing." Mr Eade said he was worried the attack might be part of a campaign to force the embassy and its residents from the site. He also said the incident could be racially motivated. Supt Quade said police had to cover a large area in the ACT but endeavoured to make patrols as regularly as possible. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000. Source: AAPrelated links:
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its one year on from the Australian Governments controversial intervention into NT Indigenous communities
action Roll back, listen to Indigenous community voices speaking about the intervention |
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