Michelle Cochrane
What isn’t working?
The personal liberties of Aboriginal people have been curtailed. Basic rights regarding how and where to spend one’s money are being contravened and it is a patronising system. There is a belief that it is more about access to land in relation to mining interests rather than addressing child abuse. In some places streets have been renamed arbitrarily with no reference to the local people or their activities. Aboriginal academics are calling the Intervention a neo –invasion.
Will the suite of measures deliver the intended results?
It is doubtful that intended results will occur because of the lack of consultation with Aboriginal people. Aboriginal people need to be the key decision makers in the matters which concern them. Successive Australian Governments have failed to recognise Aboriginal sovereignty in terms of their culture and land.
Have there been any unintended consequences?
In some communities there has been a loss of hope amongst Aboriginal people as this intervention is an exercise in control over their lives.
Will the NTER lay the basis for a sustainable and better future for residents of remote communities and town camps in the NT?
The Intervention will not be sustainable or provide a better future for residents of remote communities because it is dominated by non Aboriginal processes and personnel.
What alternative measures should be considered?
End the Intervention and seek consultation with Aboriginal leaders from the different nations.
Are there other ways of working that would better address the circumstances facing remote communities and town camps?
Consultation with Aboriginal people around the issues of sovereignty,
a treaty and the means for governance over their affairs.