ATSI Rights

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are the traditional custodians of Australia. Since its beginning, CCL has fought hard for the rights of the indigenous peoples of NSW and Australia.

SENATE INQUIRY INTO THE nORTHERN TERRITORY NATIONAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE BILL 2007 & RELATED BILLS

On 9 August 2007, the Senate referred to the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs five bills comprising the legislative package for the Australian Government's response to the 'national emergency' relating to the welfare of Indigenous children in the Northern Territory. The committee held a public hearing in Canberra on Friday, 10 August 2007 and is required to report on Monday, 13 August 2007.

The lack of time given for proper consideration of this important legislation suggests that there will be many aspects of it which turn out to have detrimental consequences, but will escape criticism at this stage.

CCL lodged a submission to the inquiry. You can read that submission here. Some of the major concerns addressed in the submission are:

The suspension of the Racial Discrimination Act
The suspension of the permit system
The creation of a number of new criminal offences with the potential to dramatically increase the rate of imprisonment of Indigenous Australians
The suspension of Native Title with non-cash compensation in a manner which may lead to permanent extinguishment

federal government's 'emergency response' to the 'little children are sacred' report

CCL recognises that there are complex issues involved in the proposed federal government direct intervention in indigenous communities. However, there are rights involved in the issues, which should be respected.

These include the rights of children to protection from those who seek to exploit them, their rights to care and education, the rights of children and their parents to informed consent to medical examination, the rights of Aboriginal nations over their land, and the right of all persons to be consulted concerning decisions which affect their interests.

Rights should not simply be overruled and ignored in the interest of protecting other rights; but a solution sought which respects all of them to the greatest extent possible.

CCL joined over 50 individuals and organisations in a letter to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs on 26 June 2007. You can read that letter here.

REPORT BY THE COMBINED ABORIGINAL ORGANISATIONS northern territory

The elected committee of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties has read the Combined Aboriginal Organisations NT 'Preliminary Response to the Federal Government's Interventions to Address child Abuse in the Northern Territory'. It is a detailed, considered response to the complex issues involved and offers an examination of each government proposal. This is followed up with proposed actions which respect the rights of the Indigenous community whilst addressing the serious problems.

You can read the report by the Combined Aboriginal Organisations NT here and view the accompanying snapshot of the Northern Territory here.