Reaction Stronger Futures policy

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in response stronger futures legislation, amnesty international called on australian government collaborate indigenous communities of northern territory , construct appropriate approaches respect rights of affected. rodney dillon, amnesty international campaigner of australian indigenous rights, referring northern territory national emergency response act, states government must recognise local issues need local solutions rather failed one-size-fits-all intervention policies imposed upon communities 4 years ago.

the organisation has discussed how australian government must adopt holistic approach service delivery, based on actual location of indigenous people live, , address one-third of indigenous people living in remote homelands without financial support. amnesty international concludes calling policies , programs brought in line minimum standards set out in un declaration on rights of indigenous peoples , grounded in free, prior , informed consent of aboriginal people living in northern territory.

the stand freedom campaign leads movement against implementation of stronger futures legislation. campaign criticises elements of northern territory emergency response act of being culturally , racially discriminating , claims these features remains consistent in stronger futures policy. stand freedom website discusses how 450 submission made senate committees’ inquiry legislation, variety of organisations including national congress of australia’s first peoples , australian council of social service, , how 95 percent of submissions opposed legislation. campaign has outlined several measures enhance government control on aboriginals , land:

it excludes aboriginal customary law , traditional cultural practices criminal sentencing decisions
it bans alcohol on large swathes of aboriginal land, , continues suspend permit system in aboriginal townships, though these measures have been opposed northern territory s aboriginal peak organisations.
it provides excessively increased penalties alcohol possession, including 6 months potential jail time single can of beer , 18 months more 1.35l of alcohol.
it provides australian crime commission star chamber powers when investigates aboriginal communities, overriding right remain silent.
it provides police right enter houses , vehicles in aboriginal communities without warrant if suspect alcohol possession.
makes laws allowing information transferred individual, federal, state or territory government department or agency, without individual’s knowledge or consent.
it bans sexually explicit or violent material on aboriginal land.
it gives commonwealth control on local regulations in community living areas , town camps.
it expands school enrolment , attendance measure (seam). under measure, parents of truant students (who absent more once week) receive smaller welfare payments. action ignores rising concerns among aboriginal families regarding inappropriate education
the 2 thousand remaining paid community development employment program positions cut april 2012. is, in stand freedom s view, final attack on vibrant program lifeblood of many communities, employing upwards of 7500 people before northern territory intervention.
changes proposed social security act constitute further attacks on rights of welfare recipients.

several prominent figures in australia have expressed opposition stronger futures legislation. mick gooda, aboriginal , torres strait islander social justice commissioner, discussed inadequacy of aboriginal consultations within report australian human rights commission, in identified key issues within stronger futures policy including lack of cultural competency , attention paid competency , ability of aboriginal governments.

a group of aboriginal elders of northern territory released statement in response stronger futures legislation titled, no more! enough enough! . statement discussed rejection of stronger futures legislation , called on australian government issue apology hurt, embarrassment, shame , stigma aboriginals in northern territory experienced because of measures within intervention. elders accused australian government of being in breach of international treaty obligations first nations people, due membership united nations, through inability eliminate racial discrimination. elders identified several measures ensure strong future children, including: bilingualism in schools, rewards attendance, leadership roles in localised school programs, reflection of traditional knowledge in curriculum, , fair treatment of aboriginal teachers in culturally sensitive manner.

a statement 28 leading australians, including professor of anthropology jon altman, hon ian viner, , hon malcolm fraser criticised policy since there no apparent attempt involve aboriginal people or elders , discussed how policy lacked informed consent on part of affected communities. individuals wrote iniquitous , demeaning nature of income management , , how seam obvious injustice children depriving parents of means of support them. individuals asserted policy violates un convention on rights of child , declaration on rights of indigenous peoples , breaches racial discrimination act 1975. individuals called on government abandon legislation , set appropriate mechanisms involve aboriginals leaders , elders of northern territory in decision-making processes define future. despite widespread condemnation, stronger futures legislation passed on june 29, 2012.

support

the stronger futures policy regarded government important initiative improve quality , access of education children in northern territory through $583 million investment, discussed jenny macklin, peter garrett mp, minister school education, warren snowdon mp, minister indigenous health, , senator trish crossin, senator northern territory, in joint media release. officials detail how policy provides retainment of teaching positions in remote northern territory schools , investment of teaching initiatives. in addition policy supply funding creation of teacher housing in remote northern territory communities , provide assistance northern territory government professional development of aboriginal workers in education system. in addition, releases states how stronger futures policy continue funding of nutrition program provides meals 5,000 students in 67 schools every day.

in media release, members of australian government, including macklin, snowdon, kate ellis , trish crossin, suggest stronger futures policy provides investment of more 443 million dollars strengthen safety , encourage well-being of aboriginal children, youth , families in northern territory. funding support sixteen women s safe houses , allow expansion of number of communities children sites, offer various services such learning , literacy programs , child nutrition advice. input of community members define services offered. in addition, policy funds mobile child protection teams, employment of twelve remote aboriginal family , community workers, , youth in communities program, keep youth connected school , away substance abuse. advocates of stronger futures policy discuss how encourages livelihood of indigenous community members , increases amount of services aboriginal families in northern territory.

proponents of stronger futures policy claim increases safety within aboriginal communities of northern territory. members of australian government, such jenny macklin, trish crossin, nicola roxon, , warren snowden, policy provide $619 million in funding boost services such remote policing, community night patrols , legal assistance services. funding support employment of sixty full-time northern territory police officers , build 4 police complexes in northern territory. funding provide substance abuse intelligence desks, intended bust drug distribution other states northern territory , reduce substance abuse in remote communities of northern territory revealed independent review in 2012. in response strong community support, australian government continue funding of night patrols. in addition, funding support northern territory child abuse taskforce. furthermore, stronger futures policy includes 76 million dollars in funding tackle alcohol abuse in terms of extending current restrictions, developing alcohol management plans , increasing penalties grog running. australian government claims through funding provided stronger futures policy, safety of aboriginal communities in northern territory increase , degree of alcohol abuse decline.