ANTaR has welcomed this afternoon’s announcement of the Northern Territory Emergency Response Review Board by Indigenous Affairs Minister, Jenny Macklin.

ANTaR National Director, Gary Highland said Western Australian Aboriginal leader, Peter Yu was a wise choice to head up the review.

"Peter Yu is someone of great intellect and integrity who will assess the evidence with independence, care and objectivity," Mr Highland said.

Mr Highland said that Review Board Member, Marcia Ella-Duncan would bring a detailed knowledge of best practice in overcoming child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities that will be of great value to the review.

"The expert advisory group also seems to be well balanced and capable and the terms of reference fair and comprehensive," Mr Highland said.

ANTaR has worked extensively to support Aboriginal people who are overcoming violence and child abuse. This has included:

• Assisting Redfern Aboriginal leaders, Dixie Gordon and Rob Welsh to establish and promote the award winning Blackout Violence program;
• Organizing a forum in Parliament House, Canberra bringing Aboriginal leaders who have successfully tackled abuse and violence together with politicians and public servants to discuss strategies to overcome these problems;
• Campaigning to urge the NSW Government to properly fund its response to the abuse of Aboriginal children in that state; and
• Publishing a Success Stories in Indigenous Health booklet that profiles a number of successful programs that are tackling child abuse and its effects.

Media contact: Gary Highland on 0418 476 940.