[Greens-Media] Indigenous Australians must not be forgotten

[Norton, Tim (Sen R. Siewert)]

Indigenous Australians must not be forgotten
Tuesday 14th October 2008

The Australian Greens today welcomed the findings of the Northern
Territory Emergency Response Review, saying that a new approach is
needed and calling on the Government to act to amend the excesses of the
NTER legislation.

"The findings of this report validate what the Greens have said all
along - a top-down heavy-handed approach that over-rides basic human
rights simply won't work," said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

"We are calling for the Racial Discrimination Act to be reinstated
immediately - and the Greens have already drafted amendments to do so.
Rent and just terms compensation also needs to be paid to Aboriginal
landowners for the acquisition and use of their property without their
consent," she said.

"The Government need to start from square one. They must go back and
talk to communities," said Senator Siewert.

"Blanket mandatory income management needs to become voluntary and
targeted, and be backed up by proper financial counselling."

"We need much better coordination of services with greater
responsiveness to the unique characteristics of each community," said
Senator Siewert.

"Greater resources are still needed to tackle the disadvantage produced
by three decades of government neglect."

"I have called in the past for the Rudd Government to recognise their
mistake in backing the rushed approach taken by the Northern Territory
Intervention. This report, commissioned by them, is a clear sign that
things have to change."

"This is the perfect opportunity to correct this horrible mistake. We
need to rebuild trust so we can work together in partnership to build a
better future," she concluded.
 
For more information or media enquiries please call Tim Norton on 0418
401 180
senator.siewert at aph.gov.au  |  www.rachelsiewert.org.au  |
www.greensmps.org.au