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Women For Wik Press Releases:
A little light relief:
Kevin Rudd, Transcript of Press Conference, Bulimba Memorial Park, Brisbane, 16 December 2007
"Well, I've just had a half day talking to the Aboriginal leadership of the Northern Territory, yesterday. We had a good two hour long discussion and prior to that I had a long discussion also with the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory. These are complex matters.
What I want to do with the States and Territories is move forward on a cooperative basis. Secondly, in the case of the Northern Territory I reiterate, I support the intervention. I've said that before the election. That remains my position after the election. As I said also before the election, we'll review it at the twelve month point and make an assessment of its effectiveness. Therefore, in response to any suggestion that it be applied somewhere, that is a wrong approach, until such time as we've actually concluded our assessment of its effectiveness. My approach therefore, with States and Territories, long term and in the immediate term is to work cooperatively. The other thing I said in Darwin yesterday, and I think in Dili the day before was that during the course of this week I'll be determining through discussions with States and Territories the placement of Indigenous affairs on the COAG agenda for this Thursday in Melbourne and I'll be having those discussions later today and tomorrow with State and Territory colleagues."
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Election Comments
Congratulations first to Marion Scrgmgour on her new appointment. This is surely a step in the right direction, giving a voice that counts to the Govt. of NT.A voice that has the authority to speak on behalf of the people, a voice that represents those people.
The people of Australia have spoken also. They were not deceived by the "invasion". They were not deceived when it came to light that the 'Little Children Are Sacred' report was used as a political tool to enhance the former Govts. re-election chances. They were never going to be deceived when the prime objective of the invasion was to remove land and ignore consultation.
I am heartened by the fact that both Howard and Brough are no longer in any position to influence this matter. We must now pressure Rudd to be more concilliatory in his approach, to achieve the outcomes that we all deeply desire. Fairness, equality and respect for the indigenous people. Education, housing and health reform.Consultation to decide the best outcomes for all. Listening to all those concerned, rather than riding roughshod and using this situation for political advantage.
I am cautiously optimistic.
Robynne Burchell, NSW, 27th November 2007
As a non-Indigenous person working with Women for Wik, I am overjoyed that the Howard regime has come to an end. I can only hope that Mr. Rudd keeps his promise and, firstly, apologises to Indigenous people, and secondly, abolishes Howard and Brough's draconian laws.
Keith McNamara, SA, 27th November 2007
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About THE MONDAY AFTER the Federal Election, it was significant that the NT chief minister and her deputy chose then to resign instead of before. Would they have stayed if Howard and his Neocon coalition had won and the "intervention" had continued?
Clare Martin once started off well but got a 'big head' from running an "NT Inc" - style government exclusively from her own chief minister's office. Pandering to the miners and the oil corporations at the expense of indigenous communities meant that she played into the hands of the Liberal's Brough and Howard whose game was to usurp traditional native lands and turn them into mining leases on a grand scale.
In the end, Aboriginal people would have been hunted off their own land with nowhere to go. Using the "intervention" and fake excuses about child abuse (which exists Australia-wide in ALL communities without redress, according to the churches) and allowing the army into remote communities in a kind of mini-martial law occupation has cost Martin all of her credibility.
Inevitably, as the only person in the NT government who was brave enough to stand up and speak out (at the Perkins lecture, Sydney university last month), indigenous minister Ms. Marion Scrymgour has now come forward as the new deputy leader and will at last be able to effect the kinds of positive changes for her people that were thwarted by Clare Martin.
Kevin Rudd now has no alternative but to follow Marion Scrymgour's lead, ha ha!!! At least he has been gracious enough to see that and to accept.
Douglas Chalmers, VIC, 27th November 2007
Australia has a chance to step back and find good ways of addressing the challenges of the "Little children are sacred" report.
For a start by adopting a collaborative approach that leverages the insights and concerns of indigenous people themselves.
Susan Harkus, NSW, 27th November 2007
Lets hope the new regime will give real respect to Indigenous Australians. Its looking good so far.... Marion Scrymgour as Deputy Chief Minister! What a good result.
Maura Dawes, NSW, 26th November 2007
Hopefully Labour will come to the party and override Brough's disastrous policies. We should hold Rudd to his promise to govern for all Australians, including aboriginals, single mums and handicapped people made to work for their pittance.
The Greens have been lobbying long and hard to make a difference to Howard's heartless social welfare policies. Hopefully with more Greens in the Senate this will be possible. Pity about losing Kerry Nettle though.
Thanks for keeping us informed.
Cheers.
Ria Murch, NSW, 26th November 2007
This is a good day for Aboriginal people, but we mustn't assume that things are necessarily going to change with the passing of Howard and his government, and with the coming of this new government. Pressure must be put on Rudd and his government to listen to the voice of Aboriginal Australia, and to make the necessary changes so that they can enjoy the same opportunities and living conditions enjoyed and taken for granted by the rest of the country. We must keep up the fight for fairness for the First Australians!!
Jean Mayers, NSW, 26th November 2007
I hope that the Rudd government will make repairing the damage done by John Howard's heavy handed intervention one of its first priorities. This is one issue which cannot wait. The support of the Indigenous people of the Northern Territory for the Labor government offers an amazing opportunity to work together for empowerment and progress. I am confident the government will not waste this opportunity to move with urgency.
Sue Milliken, NSW, 26th November 2007
I am delighted with the result of the election. I had a very late night not wanting to miss a moment so am rather tired this morning, but very happy. Congratulations on your hard work and contribution towards this. May it be a day that is the beginning of a new life for the indigenous people of our country.
Wilma Carolan, SA, 26th November 2007
This is a victory, not only for Indigenous people who have so courageously struggled "against the odds" but a moral victory for all decent Australians!!!!
Eileen McManus, QLD, 25th November 2007
JOYOUS DAY!
I hope the Labor party abandons Brough's diabolical course, and does prove to be a government for Aboriginal people, as one of Kevin Rudds' first promises, I hope this means it is a priority.
Here's to hope for a new course, guided above all by respect for the cultural integrity of Aboriginal people, their health and well being.
Rosie Lee, NSW, 25th November 2007
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