NT intervention

On 21 June 2007, the former Federal Government announced an intervention in the Northern Territory (NT) in response to the declared crisis of child abuse in Northern Territory Aboriginal communities.

The changes announced included blanket compulsory income management, the scrapping of the permit system, changes to the CDEP program, and the Commonwealth takeover of Aboriginal land on five-year leases.

ANTaR considers that Australian governments have a responsibility to intervene to protect children in danger from violence and abuse. This is particularly the case in relation to Aboriginal children, who have been found by numerous reports to have a greater risk of being abused than non-Aboriginal children. We welcome the significant additional resources that have been directed towards Northern Territory Aboriginal communities as a result of the Intervention.

However, ANTaR is also concerned that unless changes are made to the Federal Government's approach, its attempt to stop child abuse in Northern Territory Aboriginal communities will fail.

ANTaR has consistently maintained that breaching the Racial Discrimination Act is not necessary to protect children. In particular, we have expressed our concerns that this led to mistrust, division and increased intolerance towards Aboriginal people that are barriers to protecting Aboriginal children from abuse.

While we welcomed the recent partial reinstatement of the Racial Discrimination Act, we are concerned that this does not go far enough in protecting the human rights of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory. We will continue to call for the full reinstatement of the Act.

Recent Key Development & Reports

Cuts to Welfare Payments for School Non-Attendance: Requested or Imposed?

This paper, from Concerned Australians, raises a number of questions about the interpretation of consultations with Aboriginal communities across the NT concerning the link between cuts to welfare payments and school non-attendance.

The paper suggests that there is considerable doubt that the views of Aboriginal people are as clear as suggested by the Government’s recent report, Stronger Futures Report on Consultations, and presents analysis which suggests considerable disquiet about the proposal to cut welfare payments and other aspects of education that are being provided to Aboriginal communities.

Stronger Futures

On 22 June, the Federal Government released the Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Discussion Paper as part of their announced consultations about ways forward in the Northern Territory.

View an outline of the Discussion Paper here.

Or download the entire document here.(2MB)

In response, ANTaR published a submission, entitled A Better Way: Building healthy, safe and sustainable communities in the Northern Territory through a community development approach, calling on both major parties to learn from the international development experience and work with Aboriginal people to plan the transition from intervention to sustainable futures.

The Government has now enacted new Stronger Futures Legislation.

Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the Northern Territory, Submission to the Government in Response to Stronger Futures

This Submission seeks to identify ways in which the Government can make good its commitment to a new way of working in partnership with Aboriginal people, leaders and communities to address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage.

Intervention Subject of new publication

Legal Expert Peter Billings' book Indigenous Australians and the Commonwealth Intervention now available from Federation Press.

Dr Jeff McMullen's open letter regarding the Northern Territory Intervention

A letter from Jeff McMullen, associate producer of the film "Our Generation" to the Indigenous Affairs Minister, Jenny Macklin MP, responding in detail to comments regarding the Northern Territory Intervention. 21 March 2011

ANTaR's publication "A Better Way: Success Stories in Aboriginal community control in the Northern Territory".

Download ANTaR's A Better Way publication February 2011

Statement by Aboriginal Elders from the Northern Territory

Statement by Aboriginal Elders of 7 February 2011 (PDF 343k)

Statement on the NT Intervention by Eminent Australians

Statement by Eminent Australians February 2011 (PDF 57k).

Statement by Aboriginal Legal Services and Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the Northern Territory

Media Statement by Aboriginal Legal Services and Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the NT renew calls for the NT Intervention to be overhauled 10 November 2010 (PDF 76k)

Report: Commonwealth Indigenous Budget Bulletin

The Commonwealth Indigenous Budget Bulletin (PDF 512k) is produced by Macroeconomics to engender discussion and debate on indigenous policy. June 2009

Report: Australian Law Reform Commission

Australian Law Reform Commission: Native Title

Report: Progress of the Northern Territories Emergency Response Child Health Check Initiative

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (along with the Department of Health and Ageing) has released a new report today: Progress of the Northern Territory Emergency Response Child Health Check initiative. Preliminary results from the Child Health Check and follow-up data collections. December 2008

Submission on the Northern Territory Government Outstations Policy Discussion Paper

ANTaR's submission, December 2008 (PDF 115k).

ANTaR Report: Federal Government response to the NTER Review

The recommendations of the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER) review report provide an opportunity to refocus the Federal Government’s efforts from an emergency to community development approach in improving the lives of Northern Territory Aboriginal children. This is ANTaR's response. 23 October 2008

Report: Report of the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER) Review Board

The NTER Review Report provides an independent and transparent assessment of the first 12 months of operation of the Northern Territory Emergency Response. 13 October 2008

Report: A Community Based Review of the Northern Territory Emergency Response

This is a quantitative and qualitative study of the impact of the Northern Territory Emergency Response on the Aboriginal communities of Barunga, Wugularr, Eva Valley, Kalano, and associated outstations, within the Katherine East region of the Northern Territory. This research presents a range of findings and recommendations, geared towards assisting in delivery of the aims of the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER) as stated in the Terms of Reference for the NTER Review Board. Download the report from the University of Newcastle website.

Report: Northern Territory National Response Act

The Northern Territory National Emergency Response Act 2007 (PDF), to respond to the Northern Territory’s national emergency.

Report: A proposed Emergency Response and Development Plan to protect Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory

This report (PDF 121k) from the Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the Northern Territory was a preliminary response to the Australian Government’s proposals.

Submission: ANTaR's submission to the Inquiry into the Appropriation of the NT National Emergency Response Bill

This is ANTaR's submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry into the Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2007-2008 (PDF 115k).

Submission: AIDA's submission to the Inquiry into the Appropriation of the NT National Emergency Response Bill

This is Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association's submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry into the Appropriation (Northern Territory National Emergency Response) Bill (No. 2) 2007-2008 (PDF).

All things considered — a range of opinions

To give you a complete picture about the NT intervention, here's a range of statements, reportage and opinions. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of ANTaR, but we think they should be considered and thoughtfully debated.

NT Prosecutor puts his view

David Dalrymple, a prosecutor with the NT Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions discusses the Intervention on ABC's The Drum.

Town Camp Communities

Aboriginal council confirms town camps in Alice Springs will sign 40-year lease - The Australian, 30 November 2009
Alice town camps dispute resolved - The Age, 30 July 2009
Town camp takeover - NT News - 25 May 2009
Alice Springs camp move attacked - The Canberra Times, 25 May 2009
NT govt backs Rudd's town camp plans - The Canberra Times, 25 May 2009
Our fourth world - Nicolas Rothwell, The Australian, 30 May 2009
Remote homelands rethink urgently needed in the Northern Territory - ANTaR, 2 June 2009
Own home truths - The Australian, 29 May 2009
No movement on the outstations - Jon Altman, The Sydney Morning Herald, 26 May 2009
Alice Springs camps go their own way on $125m offer - The Australian, 26 May 2009
Tangentyere Supports Open and Transparent Tenancy Reform - Press release from Tangentyere Council Inc, 25 May 2009
We could wait no longer on shanty towns - Jenny Macklin, The Age, 25 May 2009
Outstations policy a fresh attempt at assimilation - Dr Thalia Anthony, The Age, 21 May 2009

Statements

Rollout of Blanket Income Management Unfair and Un-Australian - ACOSS, 25 November 2009
Success of new NTER framework depends on genuine engagement and communication - Reconciliation Australia, 25 November 2009
Concerns remain about the Northern Territory Emergency Response - ANTaR, 25 November 2009
Racial Discrimination Act changes crucial to re-engage Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory - ANTaR, 25 November 2009
Forming alliances the only solution - ANTaR, 29 October 2009
Two years on, intervention 'causing confusion' - ABC News, 19 June 2009
Stop the Intervention: Self-Determination not Assimilation - Prescribed Area Peoples’ Alliance, 22 June 2009
Budget status quo will just widen the gaps - Professor Jon Altman, Crikey.com, 20 May 2009
Death knell for homelands - Lindsay Murdoch, The Age, 19 May 2009
Government approach to NT Intervention should be incentive based and tailored to individual community needs - ANTaR, 23 October 2008
All sides of politics urged to support NTER Review recommendations - ANTaR, 13 October 2008
10 point plan to improve NT intervention - Tom Calma, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 31 March 2008
Call to protect all children - Anglican Church, 23 October 2007
John Howard is taking over the Territory - Rex Wild, 13 September 2007
The Australian Greens - August 2007
Parliament Supports Vital Reforms to Protect Aboriginal Children - The Hon Mal Brough MP, 17 August 2007
Government’s fatally flawed NT Bills pass Senate - Australian Democrats, 17 August 2007
Maori doctors concerned for long term improvements in Indigenous Australians' health - Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association & Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa - Maori Medical Practitioners Association, 26 July 2007
NT Emergency Response - Good progress in first month but long road ahead - Mal Brough MP, 19 July 2007
Bishops lash black welfare bans - Sydney Morning Herald, 6 July 2007
Letter to the Prime Minister regarding the Government's 'emergency plan' to address child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities (PDF) - Law Council of Australia, 4 July 2007
Jenny Macklin, Labor's Indigenous Affairs spokeswoman speaks to ABC's Insiders, 1 July 2007
Reawakening awareness - The Age, 29 June 2007
Statement from Mutitjulu, 28 June 2007
A human rights based approach is vital to address the challenges in Indigenous communities - Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 26 June 2007
John Howard's address to the Sydney Institute, 25 June 2007
Social Justice Commissioner's statement on the government's 'national emergency' measures - Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 22 June 2007
Indigenous doctors demand real and long term results in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids' health (PDF) - The Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association, 22 June 2007
SNAICC Media Release - Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care, 22 June 2007
Indigenous Child Abuse - Australian Medical Association, 22 June 2007
Federal Measures On Child Abuse In Indigenous Communities - Australian Labour Party, 22 June 2007
Statement by Reconciliation Australia in response to National Emergency Measures to protect Aboriginal children - Reconciliation Australia, 21 June 2007

Reportage

Intervention a '$1b disgrace' - The Canberra Times, 8 November 2009
NT policy 'authoritarian': Abbott - The Age, 7 November 2009
Macklin's Special Treatment - Sarah Burnside, New Matilda, 4 November 2009
NT intervention failing to make a difference: report - Sydney Morning Herald, 31 October 2009
D-day for Alice Springs town camps - ABC News, 4 August 2009
UN assured Aboriginal communities will get compo - ABC News, 11 August 2009
NT intervention 'creating misery': Yunupingu - ABC News, 12 August 2009
'Welcome to the real world': Aboriginal desert protest continues - ABC News, 17 July 2009
Pedophile ring claims unfounded - The Age, 5 July 2009
Roadblock on remote housing as progress stalls on indigenous response - The Australian, 4 July 2009
Special: Leaked advice reveals Rudd government's deceit on NT intervention consultations and Alice Springs town camps land grab - NIT, 6 July 2009
Vanishing orphans of the intervention - The Sydney Morning Herald, 20 June 2009
New card to control welfare - The Sydney Morning Herald, 26 March 2009
Macklin extends intervention - The Australian, 6 March 2009
THE BETRAYAL: Macklin unveils plan to force 40-year leases in exchange for public housing - National Indigenous Times, 19 February 2009
Indigenous child abuse doubles in NT: study - ABC, 22 January 2009
Intervention policy does not wash - Sydney Morning Herald, 3 March 2008
Thousands to march against NT intervention - ABC, 11 February 2008
Indigenous community gives Rudd CDEP plan - ABC, 16 December 2007
Labor eyes expanded NT scheme - The Australian, 1 December 2007
It's time to stop playing politics with vulnerable lives - Sydney Morning Herald, 30 November 2007
Outback welfare cards sold for cash - The Australian, 30 November 2007
Scheme 'based on flawed opinions' - The Australian, 29 November 2007
Not Holding Our Breath - The Epoch Times, 27 November 2007
Federal election ripples capsize NT leadership - Sydney Morning Herald, 27 November 2007
Labor softens stand on intervention - The Australian, 27 November 2007
Abolishing CDEP: Coming soon to a community near you - Crikey, 16 November 2007
NT intervention 'a health opportunity' - SBS World News, 9 November 2007
One policy, two camps - the takeover rift - Sydney Morning Herald, 27 October 2007
Aboriginal MP backs intervention - The Australian, 25 October 2007
Desert elders lash out at intervention - The Age, 25 October 2007
Labor minister lashes party over intervention - Sydney Morning Herald, 24 October 2007
Territory for hope - The Australian, 23 October 2007
What indigenous health experts think of the NT intervention - Crikey, 18 October 2007
PM's victory on land deal - The Australian, 20 September 2007
Aborigines to get $100m health corps boost - Sydney Morning Herald, 18 September 2007
Misdiagnosing a "National Emergency" - Crikey, 15 September 2007
Aboriginal health: a decade-old election promise - The Lancet, 15 September 2007
New Aboriginal alliance vows to fight NT intervention - ABC, 14 September 2007
NT intervention threatens Aboriginal program - The Age, 13 September 2007
Shame Job - Sunday, 26 August 2007
The Law Report interview with Olga Havnen - ABC, 21 August 2007
'A sad day for Aborigines' - SBS World News Australia, 18 August 2007
Intervention bills will let Govt 'do what is necessary' - ABC News, 17 August 2007
Senate passes NT indigenous laws - Sydney Morning Herald, 17 August 2007
Lack of respect will not help indigenous children - Sydney Morning Herald, 14 August 2007
Entering dangerous territory - Sydney Morning Herald, 11 August 2007
PM's wedge is no gift to Aborigines - The Australian, 10 August 2007
Building a future for black Australia - The Canberra Times, 30 July 2007
Opal fuel saved my life - The Australian, 30 July 2007
Long to see PM over a new deal - Herald Sun, 29 July 2007
No family favours on the bush beat - The Australian, 28 July 2007
Kids behind some 'atrocities' - The Australian, 28 July 2007
Fear replaced by thanks - The Daily Telegraph, 28 July 2007
Mutitjulu requests adult health care - The Age, 27 July 2007
Sex abuse, alcohol - and tea - The Daily Telegraph, 27 July 2007
Fact vs Fiction: The truth behind a bandaid solution - National Indigenous Times, 26 July 2007
Aboriginal coalition's alternative plan - The Australian, 11 July 2007
'I asked them to act 10 years ago' - The Australian, 9 July 2007
All parents to face loss of welfare payments - The Australian, 4 July 2007
How hard is Howard's way? - The Age, 1 July 2007
Ditch politics when children are suffering - The Australian, 28 June 2007
It's our hurricane Katrina, says emotion-charged PM - The Age, 26 June 2007
Now comes the hard part - action - Sydney Morning Herald, 25 June 2007
Black aid plan could do more harm than good - The Age, 24 June 2007
Attempting to make up for decades of neglect - The Age, 22 June 2007
Alcohol, porn ban for NT indigenous - The Age, 21 June 2007

Opinion and Analysis

Let Aboriginal communities have a say over intervention - Jacqui Phillips, National Director, ANTaR - The Age, 22 June, 2010
Intervention is hurting health - Larissa Behrendt and Irene Fisher, Sydney Morning Herald, 3 March 2009
Intervention has made no health difference - Dr Di Marchant, 12 March 2009
Intervention a failure on the ground - George Newhouse, The Australian, 17 February 2009
An unfinished business - Rex Wild, 11 September 2008
NT Intervention one year on - Janet Hunt, ANTaR, 21 June 2008
Saving children's lives a matter of long-term will - Fiona Stanley, Sydney Morning Herald, 31 July 2007
Opinion from NSW Rape Crisis Centre, 26 July 2007
An entire culture is at stake - Patrick Dodson, The Age, 14 July 2007
Remote Communities: Unexplained Differences - Ian Anderson, Australian Policy Online, 29 July 2007
Indigenous affairs minister Mal Brough speaks to Insiders - ABC, 24 June 2007
Pat O'Shane's open letter to Kevin Rudd, 24 June 2007
Interview: Kevin Rudd - Nine's Sunday program - 24 June 2007
The devil in the detail - Karen Middleton, The Canberra Times, 23 June 2007
Politics aside, an end to the tears is our priority - Noel Pearson, The Australian, 23 June 2007

Should the NT intervention be changed, maintained or scrapped ... and why?

We encourage considered, respectful and where necessary provocative debate. Please feel welcome to have your say, and in turn allow others to have their say without responding in anger or distrust.

ANTaR reserves the right to delete any comment that contains offensive, defamatory or discriminatory content. If you feel any of these comments are of this nature, please let us know.