Tomorrow, 31 May, 7pm AEST, free online forum about Australia’s (in)justice system and the Intervention & Media Release
Sabine Kacha
Tomorrow, 31 May, 7pm AEST, please join this significant free online forum about Australia’s (in)justice system and the Intervention
For more info, please see https://www.eventbrite.com/e/australias-injustice-system-and-the-intervention-tickets-338552769447
MEDIA RELEASE 27 May 2022
Australia's (in)justice system and the Intervention: What are the impacts on First Nations People?
On-line Forum – Tuesday, 31 May at 7pm AEST - SA & NT 6.30pm - WA 5pm
On Tuesday, 31 May 2022, 7pm AEST, Amnesty’s Redfern Action Group will host a significant online forum “Australia's (in)justice system and the Intervention- What are the impacts on First Nations People?“ marking National Reconciliation Week with this year’s theme “Be Brave. Make Change.”
There is an opportunity for media organisations to arrange an interview with First Nations speakers before the forum.
With the proposed ending of the Intervention after 15 years and a change of government, now is a significant time to examine this topic, to be brave and make change.
First Nations speakers will address this theme and shine a light on the punitive measures of the Intervention laws and their impact of disempowerment on communities. The call for change has been loud and clear for the 15 years of the Intervention and change is long overdue.
Guest speaker MLA Yingiya Guyula stated in the NT Parliament “Our communities are calling out for resources to enable elders and leaders to maintain peace and safety in the community for our people.” He asked, “Why are millions of dollars going into systems that are failing and barely anything going towards our right and self-determination?”
Olga Havnen, Western Arrernte woman from central Australia will join the forum as guest speaker. She is the former CEO of Danila Dilba Health Service which was working in Don Dale off the back of the Royal Commission and very active writing submissions and giving evidence. She stated, “With change in government, it presents an opportunity to bring about well overdue and much need change to the justice system. We have the lowest Rates of crime and ever-increasing rates of incarceration. It makes no sense.”
Senior Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves said the Territory government had “no shame”. “This funding increase is a direct threat to our lives in our community,” he said. “More funding for police means more police violence against our people. Karrinjarla muwajarri, this must stop. The only safe way forward for our people is for our local First Nations authority to be empowered and for funding to go to our community controlled services.”
Also speaking at the forum is Kaytetye-Arrernte and Warlpiri-Warramungu woman Barbara Rachael Shaw, Kaytetye-Arrernte and Warlpiri-Warramungu woman, Mount Nancy Town Camp, Mparntwe and long time human rights campaigner. Barbara said, “I know that wherever I go, where there’s a meeting or whatever board room I’m sitting in, whatever other Elders I’m sitting with, they always seem to mention the Intervention and how the Intervention brought so much heartache.”
Maggie Munn, Gunggari activist and the Indigenous Rights Campaigner for Amnesty International Australia will speak at the forum. She has stated ‘Smart justice looks at the whole picture and provides wrap-around services to help kids who are interacting with the police; there are often complex issues going on including poverty, intergenerational trauma, medical needs and the elephant in the room, racism.”
Senior Researcher at Jumbunna Institute, UTS Padraic Gibson added, “The devastating policies introduced through the NT Intervention 15 years ago now continue to breed racism, poverty and injustice. With the ‘Stronger Futures’ legislation ending and promises from the incoming Labor to abolish compulsory income management we now need to reset the power relationship poisoned by the Intervention. Restore local Aboriginal governance and redirect the huge budgets for police and other punitive agencies to provide the jobs, housing and services desperately needed by all communities.”
Traditional Owner from Gudanji and Wakaya Nations, Nimragikyi, Rikki Dank/Lhudi Noralima, one of just four Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates at the COP26 climate summit held in Glasgow, will be the forum moderator.
This forum will be an opportunity to hear from First Nations speakers of the NT, evaluate the impact of laws which affect them and their children and share their wisdom and understanding of the solutions which will respect their human right and nurture the next generation. It’s time to ‘Make the change’.
Some speakers are available for interview.
Forum speakers are:
Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, Senior Warlpiri Elder from Yuendumu
Olga Havnen, Western Arrernte woman from central Australia, former CEO of Danila Dilba Health Service
Yingiya Mark Guyula MLA - A Liya Dhalinymirr leader of the Djambarrpuyngu people
Maggie Munn, Gunggari activist, Amnesty's Indigenous Rights Campaigner, AIA
Barbara Rachael Shaw, Kaytetye-Arrernte and Warlpiri-Warramungu woman, Mount Nancy Town Camp, Mparntwe
Paddy Gibson, Senior Researcher, Jumbunna Inst for Indigenous Education & Research, UTS
Moderator:
Ms Rikki Dank/Lhudi Noralima - Traditional Owner from Gudanji and Wakaya Nations, Nimragikyi
To liaise with speakers, please contact Cathy Gill on 042 238 5852 or email Sabine at redfern...@gmail.com
When: | Where: https://amnestyau.zoom.us/j/92027795992 Meeting ID: 920 2779 5992 |
You can register for the event through eventbrite here.
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