National Indigenous Times - Issue 132 - 28 June 07

BIG READ: The Charge of the Band-Aid Brigade Part Two Issue 132, June 28, 2007: Presenting the myths on child sexual abuse, as reported in the "Little Children are Sacred" report.

BIG READ: Charge of the Band-Aid BrigadeDrastic new measures have been put in place by John Howard's federal government in the Northern Territory. Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, is leading the charge. Their crisis intervention, they say, stems from ˜Little Children Are Sacred", a report into abuse released last week, and political
inaction up north. If they had read the report, perhaps they would have done things a little differently. A special report by Brian Johnstone and the NIT team.

Administrator wanted: no experience required
Issue 132, June 28, 2007: Senior Commonwealth public servants from some of the biggest public service departments in Canberra are being asked to volunteer to act as Administrators of Aboriginal townships and communities in the Northern Territory which will soon be taken over by the Howard Government - and no experience is necessary.

Aboriginal alliance says government plan ˜unworkable" Issue 132, June 28, 2007: Pat Turner, until recently Australia's most senior Aboriginal bureaucrat, has slammed the Howard Government's dramatic Northern Territory takeover as "totally unworkable" and a covert ploy to rob Aboriginal people of their land.

Mutitjulu wins the battle against govt Issue 132, June 28, 2007: The tiny Northern Territory community of Mutitjulu has won its court challenge to the appointment of a Perth-based administrator by the federal government.

Family considers civil action in Palm Island case Issue 132, June 28, 2007: A lawyer for the family of Mulrunji Doomadgee says the door is still open to pursue legal action against the police officer cleared of his manslaughter.

Probe into NQ death in custody Issue 132, June 28, 2007: An investigation was underway at the time of press after a man, believed to be Aboriginal, died in police custody in north
Queensland on Tuesday.

Fake and forged art needs addressing: Scrymgour Issue 132, June 28, 2007: Detailed recommendations on the import of fake and forged Aboriginal art should have been included in a federal senate report, Northern Territory Arts Minister Marion Scrymgour says.

Government fails to respond to inquiries Issue 132, June 28, 2007: The federal government has failed to respond on time to dozens of parliamentary inquiries - including some that were finished
more than six years ago.

Funding needed for Aboriginal art Issue 132, June 28, 2007: More funds are needed to clamp down on unscrupulous
Aboriginal art dealers who pollute the multi-million dollar industry with fakes and unethical practices, a Senate inquiry has recommended.

Elders say jail too soft on Aboriginal youth: Quirk Issue 132, June 28, 2007: Some Aboriginal elders believe jail is too soft for young Indigenous people, Western Australia's Correctional Services Minister Margaret Quirk says.

Three teenagers to face child rape trial Issue 132, June 28, 2007: Three teenagers accused of repeatedly raping a 12-year-old boy over five months at a remote Aboriginal community have been committed to stand trial.

Permits scrapped for inquest into Wadeye teen shooting Issue 132, June 28, 2007: Entry permits will be temporarily waived to allow for an "open and transparent" inquest into the death of a teenager shot by a police officer at a remote Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory.

NT govt granted leave on coast case Issue 132, June 28, 2007: The Northern Territory government is to appeal to the High Court to overturn a decision giving Aboriginal people exclusive access to 80 per cent of the region's coastline.

Black workers payment slash Issue 132, June 28, 2007: Hundreds of Aboriginal workers in remote communities will pocket $54 less a week starting next month under changes to the existing Indigenous welfare program, NT senator Trish Crossin says.

Overhaul needed on councils: Beattie Issue 132, June 28, 2007: Premier Peter Beattie says Indigenous councils
still have a "long way to go" to make improvements, after a new audit showed serious financial mismanagement.

Forcing Indigenous rep off reef Issue 132, June 28, 2007: Australian Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett has
told the Senate that new legislation aimed at providing better protection for the Great Barrier Reef will force Indigenous representation off the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.