Aboriginal Law Bulletin --- "News: Human Rights and Goondiwindi" [1987] AboriginalLawB 28; (1987) 1(26) Aboriginal Law Bulletin 11

• Human Rights And Goondiwindi

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Human Rights and Goondiwindi

Earlier this year Irene Moss, Race Discrlmination Commissioner for the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commisslon visited the New South Wales - Queensland border area of Goondiwindl, Boggabilla and Toomelah. The Inspection was in response to reports of nodal violence and tension In the three communities.

Following Irene Moss's visit the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission resolved to hold a public Inquiry into the social and material needs of residents of New South Wales-- Queensland border towns.

The Inquiry will not be investigating or considering any criminal culpability arising out of the events which occurred in the area in January, 1987. The terms of reference of the Inquiry are as follows:

1. To inquire into and report on the social and material situation of persons in Goondiwindi, Boggabilla and Toomelah and identify the social and material needs of these and nearby communities.

2. In particular to inquire into and report upon the extent to which any problems or deficiencies identified have been caused by inadequate educational and/or employment opportunities and/ or other facilities, and the existence of the Queensland - New South Wales border between the town of Goondiwindi and the other two towns.

3. To investigate and report on the state of community relations in Goondiwindi, Boggabilla and Toomelah and the way in which problems identified can be resolved among these and nearby communities.

4. To report on the impact of the state of community relations on the social and material needs of these communities.

5. To recommend to all relevant persons and/or authorites steps which might be taken to resolve the identified problems of these communities.

The Commission recently placed advertisements in the media inviting submissions by July 31, 1987. The Inquiry intends to take oral and written submissions. A public hearing is presently scheduled to be held in July, 1987. It will be conducted by the President of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, the Honourable Justice Einfield, with the assistance of the Mrs Margaret Whitlam and the Honourable Sir James Killen.

The outcome of the Inquiry is dependent on the active participation of all interested persons and bodies. If any organisation would be interested in making a submission to the Inquiry, we would be most pleased to receive it.

To assist in any submission which you may be considering, the Commission has issued a preliminary report to the Inquiry. This document has no pretensions of being a comprehensive statement of the problems or needs of the area. Submissions on matters outside the issues raised in the report and which are felt to be relevant to the Inquiry are welcome.

For any queries or further information, please telephone Kim Monnox on [phone].