Scrap new NT intervention laws: groups

A coalition of indigenous groups has called on the Gillard government to scrap the next phase of the Northern Territory intervention.

gooda_L_110303_sbs_692332238


The government's Stronger Futures legislation, which extends the Howard government's NT intervention, passed parliament's lower house last week.

A Senate inquiry is looking at the draft laws which include alcohol restrictions and a controversial program that cuts welfare payments to parents whose kids skip school known as the student enrolment and attendance measure (SEAM).

The Department of Indigenous Affairs has come under fire for its community consultation process.

Aboriginal leaders, including social justice commissioner Mick Gooda, have described the process as deeply flawed.

Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) and Our Generation have launched an online campaign, Stand for Freedom, calling for the draft laws to be scrapped.

ANTaR national director Jacqueline Phillips says community support for "these far-reaching and long-term measures" has not been obtained.

Stand for Freedom director Damien Curtis says the NT intervention has been criticised by the United Nations as racially discriminatory.

So far 5500 people have signed the online petition at www.standforfreedom.org.au/




Share

1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world