FED: Better indigenous participation needed in intervention

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2007
FED: Better indigenous participation needed in intervention:

By Adam Gartrell

CANBERRA, Dec 7 AAP - The commonwealth intervention into Northern Territory Aboriginal
communities will fail unless the new government takes steps to improve indigenous people's
participation in it, a new human rights report says.

In the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission (HREOC) annual report, President
John von Doussa says measures in the intervention that bypass racial discrimination laws
have put Australia's proud human rights reputation at risk.

Mr von Doussa says it is now "critical" there be comprehensive consultation with communities
targeted by the takeover.

"Steps must be taken to ensure that they understand the new measures and have realistic
opportunities to participate in the implementation of programs that are intended to improve
their wellbeing," Mr von Doussa said.

"Unless there is culturally appropriate and meaningful consultation and respect given
to the wishes of the communities affected, HREOC is concerned that the laudable object
of the legislation will not be achieved."

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma said he
had spent a lot of time in the past year trying to convince people Aboriginal disadvantage
could be overcome.

"My 25-year vision is that of an optimist," Mr Calma said in his section of the report.

"My vision is for a country where the current state of indigenous disadvantage will
be as incomprehensible to future Australians as the White Australia policy is to the present
generation."

AAP ag/sb/lh/de

KEYWORD: INDIGENOUS HREOC

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