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The Northern Territory (‘NT’) community of Nhulunbuy, on the Gove Peninsula in Arnhem Land, will receive $300,000 after the Federal Court found two liquor retailers guilty of breaching the price-fixing provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth). The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission began proceedings against the businesses after investigating allegations that the businesses met and agreed to stop discounting the takeaway sales of certain types of alcohol. The businesses are the major takeaway liquor outlets for the community. The money will go towards establishing a service to address alcohol related problems in Nhulunbuy. Court action is continuing against another liquor retailer alleged to have taken part in the price fixing.
The communities of Jigalong, Parngurr, Punmu and Kunawarritji in Western Australia (‘WA’) have prepared a petition to the WA Government asking for permission to establish their own local government authority by seceding from the East Pilbara Shire. The proposed western desert shire would represent between 2000 and 2500 people living within the Martu native title claim area, which was determined last year. Mr Wyatt, the Cue Shire President, stated there was no reason Aboriginal communities should not have access to the same funding arrangements given to mainstream towns.
On the 11th anniversary of the High Court Mabo decision, the Deputy Premier of WA said that land justice packages would form part of the WA Government’s strategy to help native title claimants affected by last year’s High Court decisions which undermined Mabo. He said that the government would offer freehold title over land excluded from native title by the High Court decisions. Such an offer was recently made to the Miriuwung-Gajerrong people.
The NT Liquor Commission has recently reported that a 12 month trial of alcohol restrictions in Alice Springs has failed to reduce the rate of alcohol consumption. While the rate of alcohol related crime fell significantly, the rate of alcohol consumption has not changed. The restrictions had the effect of pushing drinkers from beer to stronger drinks, with the consumption of fortified wine and port rising by 1000 percent. The Commission is considering expanding the restrictions to port and fortified wines, however, Dr John Boffa from the People’s Alcohol Action Coalition says that the Commission risks making the same mistake again.
A Queensland (‘Qld’) parliamentary inquiry into Indigenous participation in government believes racism is still a barrier to Indigenous people entering politics. The Legal, Constitutional and Administrative Review Committee has been holding public meetings around the State inviting input from local Indigenous people. Committee Chairwoman Karen Struthers says meetings held around the State show that racism is still a major barrier to Indigenous people entering government.
The WA government has passed a bill which will allow the forcible removal of the Swan Valley Nyungah Community in Caversham WA. The bill was introduced into parliament following concerns of widespread violence and sexual abuse among the community. ATSIC state manager Mick Gooda said it was unfortunate that an Aboriginal community had to be closed but the decision would protect women and children.
The Nyoongar people of WA have united six existing land claims into one single Nyoongar claim over the entire south-west of WA. South-west Aboriginal Land and Sea Council chief executive Darryl Pearce said the claim had 85 named applicants representing more than 216 families and 27,000 Nyoongars. Mr Pearce said that the claim would seek non-native title outcomes such as Indigenous land use agreements and joint management of national parks.
Professor Mick Dodson has called for a national focus and centralised policy direction on violence in Indigenous communities, which he says is devastating communities. Professor Dodson stated that ‘there are very few Aboriginal families that are not struggling with the debilitating effects of trauma, despair and damage resulting from their experiences with violence’. Professor Dodson blamed poor Aboriginal leadership and a culture of silence for Australia's failure to tackle the crisis.
One of two semi-permanent buildings forming the Tent Embassy in Canberra was destroyed by fire in a suspected arson attack. No one was injured by the incident which followed months of conflict over the dismantling of the Embassy. Photographs and documents chronicling three decades of history of the Embassy were destroyed in the blaze.
Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Dr Bill Jonas, and Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Susan Booth, today expressed concern at racist attitudes towards Indigenous people in Townsville and the hostile treatment some have experienced. During a visit earlier this month Indigenous people told Dr Jonas of being shot at with flare guns, stoned, bashed, chased and verbally abused. Dr Jonas stated that ‘all Indigenous people in Townsville are put at risk by this prevailing attitude’.
The Federal Government and the National Sorry Day Committee have agreed on a commemoration of the stolen generations to be installed at Reconciliation Place in Canberra. The text of the artwork acknowledges that Australian governments authorised the removal of many thousands of Indigenous children from their families through cruel and misguided policies. It also includes the words ‘the stolen generations’, which the Government had previously rejected.
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URL: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/IndigLawB/2003/43.html