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Lemezina, Zrinka --- "Recent Happenings August 2008" [2008] IndigLawB 32; (2008) 7(7) Indigenous Law Bulletin 28

Recent Happenings – August 2008

Compiled by Zrinka Lemezina.

03/08

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and head of Fortescue Metals Group Andrew Forrest today announced a plan to find 50,000 corporate sector jobs for Indigenous Australians within two years. The Prime Minister said “we believe that the best way forward for … Indigenous Australians is to make them training ready, job ready, and to give them a job for the future.” Full details to be released by the end of 2008.

05/08

Indigenous remains were today returned to the Northern Territory after being held for the last 60 years at the American Smithsonian Institute Museum of Natural History. The 33 remains were from four communities in Arnhem Land – Gunbalanya (Oenpelli), Groote Eylandt, Yirrkala and Milingimbi - and will be held at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory the communities are ready to return them to country.

13/08

An Indigenous Management Agreement has been concluded for the joint management of the McIlwraith Range in Cape York by the rainforest’s traditional owners, the Kaanjy, Umpila, Lamalama and Ayapathu people and the Environment Protection Agency. The Agreement was passed under the Cape York Peninsula Heritage Act 2007 (Qld).

20/08

At today’s Wentworth Lecture in Canberra, Indigenous lawyer and member of Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Council, Terri Janke proposed the establishment of a national Indigenous cultural authority to promote and defend Indigenous culture. Ms Janke said, “it is important for the right infrastructure to be in place to manage rights and to provide good sound policy for service delivery.”

25/08

Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Julia Gillard introduced new legislation linking Indigenous welfare payments to school enrolment and attendance by children. The legislation will be trialled in eight states, six in NT and one in Perth, affecting approximately 3300 students.

25/08

The ACT Supreme Court found former federal Indigenous Policy advisor Tjanara Goreng Goreng guilty of sharing classified information related to the Government’s plans to address sexual abuse and petrol sniffing in NT communities. The jury found her guilty of five counts of leaking confidential material; the other two charges were dismissed.

27/08

National Children’s and Youth Law Centre says the Federal Government must address the high detention rate for young Indigenous people. A report by the Institute of Health and Welfare shows the number of children in juvenile detention has risen to a four-year high; nearly half are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children. Director of the centre James McDougall says Indigenous children are 14 times more likely to enter the justice system than other children and he says the Commonwealth needs to take action through community-building strategies.

28/08

NT Chief Minister Paul Hendersen has announced a literacy and numeracy program to be trialled in remote NT communities. The program will focus on children in their formative primary school years. The program will be delivered in Warlpiri triangle communities of Lajamanu, Yuendumu, Nyirrpi and Willowra, and Milingimbi, Ramingining, Shepherdson College at Galiwinku, Gapuwiyak, Yirrkala and in the Miwatj region of Arnhem Land. Menzies School of Health researchers will monitor effectiveness of trial.


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