MEDIA RELEASE
Embargoed until 6pm Monday 23 November
Fundamental Flaws in Wasteful NT Consultation Process
A report, “Will They Be Heard?” is due to be launched by former Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser today. Authors of the report include former Chief Justice Alastair Nicholson and Professor Larissa Behrendt. It is based on independentfootage of three NT Emergency Response consultations at the Bagot, Utopia and Ampilatwatja communities.
The views expressed in these consultations are also reflected in the Government reports from regional meetings at Darwin, Alice, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy. These regional reports are all examined as part of the report to be released by Malcolm Fraser.
The consultations indicate that Aboriginal people are concerned about the continuation of the discriminatory special measures such as income management. Alastair Nicholson, points out,”The rest of the Australian community would not tolerate such restrictions (special measures) and neither should the Aboriginal community be expected to do so”.
The report identifies a number of problems with the consultation process, from its lack of independence to lack of transparency, failure to adequately explain special measures and legal concepts as well as the failure to provide professional aboriginal interpreters
The report clearly states that flaws in the consultation process mean that it cannot be relied upon as evidence of consent to special measures under the Racial Discrimination Act. The report urges a policy rethink by government
Millions of dollars have been spent on these extensive consultations with Aboriginal communities over the last few months across the Northern Territory.
Spokesperson for ‘concerned Australians’, Michele Harris, comments, “We are told by the Attorney General’s Department that, the government will be giving careful consideration to these views (from the consultations) in formulating its final policy position, which will be reflected in the legislation to be put before Parliament.”
“If this is the case then we should expect to see the end of discriminatory special measures very soon.”
Contacts:
The Hon. Alastair Nicholson AO RFD QC 0418 533 411
Michele Harris OAM(03) 9415 7164