Search words

Text size: A A A

INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIA

The Australian community has developed a deeper appreciation of the unique place of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our community, but the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain over represented among the most economically poor and socially excluded people in Australia.

Indigenous ministry 40 years on
Forty years after the Jesuits re-established their mission among Indigenous people at Balgo, Australian Provincial Fr Steve Curtin SJ says the Jesuits' commitment to Indigenous ministry remains strong.  

WCC supports churches against Stronger Futures laws
The World Council of Churches meeting in Greece has endorsed the Australian Churches' protest against the Stronger Futures legislation enacted in July. The meeting in the first week in September expressed support for actions which empower Indigenous peoples to take control of their own lives and destinies, and which enable partnerships between Indigenous communities and the Australian Government towards culturally appropriate efforts for improvements in the areas of health, housing, education, employment, self-sufficiency and well-being of Indigenous peoples.  

Amnesty slams Australian government treatment of Aboriginals
Amnesty International includes damning criticism in its latest report of Australia's treatment of Aboriginal people and claims that authorities have continued to limit funding for housing and services like water and sanitation.  

Stronger Futures laws slammed at UN
An Aboriginal leader has taken the fight against the federal government's continuation of the Northern Territory intervention to the United Nations.  
See also statements from the Yol?uw Makarr Dhuni (Yol?u Nations Assembly) to the Leaders of the Australian Federal and Northern Territory parliaments.

Ending Constitutional Racism
Twenty years on from Mabo, have we done all we can to displace Terra Nullius? The constitution still allows racial discrimination, writes indigenous leader Patrick Dodson in New Matilda. Even so, building support for a referendum will be hard work.  

Heeding Polding's call about our first peoples
In 2010, the Commonwealth Government promised to hold a referendum on Indigenous constitutional recognition at or before the next election. Surely now is the time to act, says Clare Condon SGS.  

Stronger futures legislation racist say national leaders
Some 27 of Australia’s leaders have signed a statement saying that the Stronger Futures legislation further develops the previous government’s racist approach and breaches two UN conventions. The statement is addressed to the leaders of Australia’s three main political parties – Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott and Bob Brown. See the press release  

Stronger futures - weaker human rights
For Aboriginal people to achieve their social, cultural and economic goals, there must be ongoing engagement of those who are affected by the proposed Stronger Futures measures, says Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner Mick Gooda. This would ensure that they are able to address the challenges they face and own the solutions. In the Commission’s submission on the legislation, Mr Gooda said the commission supports the intent of the proposed legislation, but believes the measures are intrusive and limiting of individual freedoms and human rights. See the press release  

UN reports critical of NT children’s care
Overcrowding and the failure to provide adequate and safe housing for children in the Northern Territory is threatening lives, according to two reports presented at the United Nations. The reports looking at Australia’s compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child have just been released.  

Social Justice and Indigenous Wellbeing
In Social Justice and Wellbeing, Mick Gooda, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner presents a human rights approach to Indigenous wellbeing.  

NATSIEC Calls for Full Reinstatement of RDA
Commenting on the Federal Government's plan to redesign the Northern Territory Intervention, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumencial Commission calls for the full reinstatement of the Racial Discrimination Act.