Indigenous intervention, doing good and racism

The High Court has just handed down its decision on the constitutionality of the legislation enabling the Northern Territory intervention: Wurridjal v Commonwealth of Australia [2009] HCA 2. A majority of the Court ruled that the legislation was constitutional, with Kirby J delivering a last (and controversial) dissent. It is a fascinating decision, involving the question of whether the Commonwealth has acquired property by reason of the Northern Territory intervention, and, if so, whether it has done so under “just terms” as required by s 51(xxxi) of the Constitution. [The short answer, for those who can't be bothered reading through the entire post, is that the majority of the Court concluded that property was acquired by the Commonwealth as a result of the intervention, but that the terms were just.]

Safe houses open across the NT

By Australian Labor Party

Jenny Macklin - Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs - Media Statement with NT Minister Malarndirri Mccarthy and MP for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon - 31-01-2009

The Australian and Northern Territory Governments today opened a women’s safe house and a men’s cooling off place in the remote community of Ngukurr, as part of a roll-out of 22 safe places across the Northern Territory as part of the Northern Territory Emergency Response.

INTERVENTION: UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES

Reporter: Lorena Allam
While remote Aboriginal communities are safer, everyday living is more complicated. There's a 600 dollar cab fare to town, and then Centrelink has to approve toys for your kids.

Northern Territory Emergency Response

Northern Territory Emergency Response: Report of the NTER Review Board
NTER Review Board
The NTER Review Report provides an independent assessment of the first 12 months of operation of the Northern Territory Emergency Response. Posted 14-10-2008