ABC website “Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting gets underway in Vila
Updated Thu May 29, 2008 3:34pm AEST
The 17th summit of Melanesian leaders opened in a colourful and true Melanesian tradition in the Vanuatu capital.”
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/programguide/stories/200805/s2259512.htm
(listen to the ABC audio report for music)
HREOC media release – Friday, 23 May 2008
“National Sorry Day (Monday, 26 May) is the perfect catalyst to turn sentiment into action for members of the Stolen Generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma said today.
“The National Apology was a defining moment in our nation’s history, but it is now time to take the step beyond sorry and address the outstanding needs of the Stolen Generations,” Commissioner Calma said.
“National Sorry Day puts the spotlight again on the challenges we face as a nation in eliminating the gap between the life advantages of non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians. But for members of the Stolen Generations, there are distinct challenges that must be directly faced – simply focussing on closing the gap won’t do.
“There is a pressing need to focus on those measures that will advance the healing process for the Stolen Generations. The focus in the coming months must be on consultation with Stolen Generations members on how best to promote a healing agenda and respond holistically to the recommendations of the Bringing them home report. “
I heard Kevin 07 saying, in regard to blocking the Liberal nominee Mad Mal Brough to the indigenous housing panel, that he (Kevin) did not want to play politics with this.
Now lets see if i have got this right:
Kevin, a non-indigenous man from Queensland, has been elected as Prime Minister of Australia.
He is running the show.
All is well in the world, apparently.
Australia’s First Peoples. meanwhile:
* remain without recognition of their co-existing sovereignty,
* they have no culturally appropriate or even bureaucratic means of political representation;
* there are no indigenous people in the Australian Federal Parliament;
* members of the Stolen Generations are not to be paid compensation for the trauma they suffered;
* First Peoples are not paid a resource rental for the use of their living countries (from which they could buy their own homes, if so moved);
* the exploitation of their mineral resources props up the whole non-indigenous economy;
* Anglo-Australia has no treaty or treaties with First Peoples to legitimise the folly of British colonisation …
Aw, come on, Kevin, come out and play.
We’re waiting for you.
Bruce Reyburn
Sorry Day 08
ANTAR Media release – May 23, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson’s decision to pull out of the bipartisan commission to improve housing in Aboriginal communities flies in the face of undertakings he gave in parliament during his apology to the Stolen Generations.
During his apology speech in Parliament on the 13th of February, Dr Nelson gave his “unconditional” support for the Prime Minister’s proposal.
Dr Nelson said, “I … offer on behalf of the opposition my unconditional support to participate in the commission for policy which he proposes. This is far, far more important than any of the things that would normally divide us as a nation in philosophy and politics.”
ANTaR National Director, Gary Highland said he felt “gutted” that Dr Nelson has gone back on his commitment to the Parliament and Aboriginal people only three months after making it.
From Songlines Magazine UK (no relation)
“check out our new website http://www.songlines.co.uk/musictravel for the latest offering from Songlines of music holidays, including trips to the flamenco Biennale in Seville, fado in Lisbon, tango in Buenos Aires and The Mostar World Music Festival in Bosnia, to name a few.”
ABC “TONY EASTLEY: Fifteen years after its introduction, Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin says it’s time to overhaul Australia’s system of native title.
Ms Macklin gave the 2008 Mabo Lecture in Townsville yesterday, saying that native title must be used as part of the country’s armoury to close the 17-year life expectancy gap between black and white Australians.”
full story url
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2008/s2252149.htm
From HREOC
19 May 2008
“As national patron of Wakakirri, Race Discrimination Commissioner, Tom Calma, today praised the festival for including remote community schools, including three Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory and Queensland, in its itinerary.
“The Wakakirri Outback Program is tremendously valuable to the lives of Indigenous children in remote areas because of its focus on sustainable living and the opportunity it provides these children to share their stories and experiences with not only one another, but with their community and many other communities around Australia,” said Commissioner Calma.
For more information, visit www.wakakirri.com
Budget reaction across Pacific
ABC website Updated Thu May 15, 2008 12:08pm AEST
“With Australia the major provider of aid in the South Pacific, how is this budget, the first by a Labor Government since 1995, likely to be recieved.Jenny Hayward Jones is the Director of the Melanesia Program at the Lowy Institute for International Policy, and she spoke to Pacific Correspondent Campbell Cooney.
Presenter:Campbell Cooney
Speaker:Jenny Hayward Jones, the Director of the Melanesia Program at the Lowy Institute for International Policy”
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/programguide/stories/200805/s2244827.htm
You tube video – message from West Papua
