Aboriginal Law Bulletin --- "News: Aboriginal TV Unit; CRA Concession?; Survival International; Ivory Scales" [1987] AboriginalLawB 54; (1987) 1(29) Aboriginal Law Bulletin 2

• News
• Aboriginal T.v. Unit
• Cra Concession?
• Survival International
• Ivory Scales: Black Australia And The Law

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News

Aboriginal T.V. Unit

A new unit has been established at the ABC - the Aboriginal TV Programs Unit. It commenced operation on 9 November, 1987. The Unit's producer, Jim Everett, is an Aboriginal writer who has directed and produced his own works, mainly for theatre. His major play, "Survivors", was performed at the Salamanca Arts Festival, Hobart in 1984.

Mr Everett's intention is for the Unit to effect changes in the ABC in a number of key areas relating to Aboriginal people. The Unit will:

• assist in the development of ABC policy regarding all aspects of film and television in relation to Aboriginal people;
• facilitate more Aboriginal involvement in film-making, both within and outside the ABC;
• produce more appropriate programs for Aboriginal communities.

Mr Everett has already made one significant policy decision which has been endorsed by the ABC Board. Any person seeking to obtain a recommendation from the Unit to the ABC for a pre-sale agreement on a film concerning Aboriginal people, must ensure that the film meets with the approval of the local Aboriginal community.

'Black March' is the working title of the Unit's first venture-a one hour documentary on the march of Aboriginal people across Australia on 26 January 1988. Looking further into the future, Jim Everett has ideas for Aboriginal drama and entertainment, and is aiming for better viewing times.

The media has generally portrayed a negative, stereotyped image of Aboriginal people. The establishment of the ABC Aboriginal T. V. Programs Unit offers an opportunity to reverse this image, to effect some fundamental changes to Aboriginal people's identity.

Good luck with Aunty, Jim!

Aboriginal Researcher

This position will become available next year.

If interested, please write to:

The Producer, Aboriginal T.V. Programs Unit,

ABC TV, 221 Pacific Highway, Gore Hill 2065

CRA Concession?

On 12 October, CRA announced its decision to cease exploration in 20 percent of the mining tenements it holds in the Rudall River National Park, Western Australia. This moratorium on mining exploration for an 'indefinite period' involves approximately 1,600 square kilometres of CRA's 8,000 square kilometres of tenements.

But, as Ken Lance from the Western Desert Puntukurnuparna (formerly, Land Council) has indicated, CRA has made no real concession. Rather the company's decision amounts to a token and temporary gesture towards the Western Desert Aboriginal communities. CRA has not rescinded any of its existing tenements, nor has it defined what it means by 'indefinite period'.

To add fuel to the fire, so to speak, the WA Mines Department is allowing new companies into Rudall River mining tenements-a consortium of Queensland Mines and Battle Mountain (US Co.) and Uranerz (German Co.). Furthermore, the WA government has made no mention of petroleum interests in the National Park.

The struggle continues for the Western Desert Aboriginal people to gain control over their traditional lands and live in a community free from the disruption caused by the activities of mining companies. [see AboriginalLB No. 26 for a detailed analysis of the problems the Western Desert people face in dealing with CRA and the WA government].

Survival International

The next issue of Survival International News, to be published in January 1988, will contain a special pull-out section on the Aborigines of Australia today. It will form part of S.I.'s campaign in support of Aboriginal rights during the bicentennial year.

Ivory Scales: Black Australia and the Law

This new book, edited by Kayleen Hazlehurst, will be officially launched by Gerry Hand, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs on 25 November 1987. "Ivory Scales" offers a systematic examination of the historical experience and current practice of Australian criminal justice as it relates to the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The critical issues covered include the origins of law and policy, many of which remain unresolved today; imprisonment and the serious difficulties encountered by Aborigines facing the judicial process and the contentious areas of community regulation and policing.

If you would like to purchase a copy of "Ivory Scales: Black Australia and the Law", send $19.95 plus $2.00 postage and handling to:

The Manager, NSW University Press,
P.O. Box 1, Kensington NSW 2033