Campaigns
Aboriginal Justice in NSW - Fact Sheets
We are cautiously optimistic that the new NSW government will continue the recent tradition of bi-partisanship in relation to reconciliation. For real and lasting change to occur, the government must listen to and work with Aboriginal people and their communities.
The attached fact sheets contain important information on our juvenile justice and Close the Gap campaigns. Individuals and Reconciliation Groups are welcome to use them in their campaigning, representations to government and for informing the community.
Please do not hesitate to ANTaR NSW if you have any questions or wish to discuss our campaigns further.
Thanks again for your continued support in campaigning for Aboriginal justice.
•Indigenous Juvenile Justice•
Of the 5,500 young people in NSW detention centres in 2009, almost 50 per cent were Indigenous.
We campaign to ensure NSW Government, in partnership with Aboriginal peoples, strengthens community approaches to reduce this over-representation.
•Close the Gap•
The life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in NSW is 8.8 years for men and 7.5 years for women.
We campaign for sustained, targeted and evidence-based action, to achieve health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by 2030.
Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage
The Legislative Council and the Social Issues Committee has undertaken an inquiry into Indigenous disadvantage. The inquiry specifically aims to address the life expectancy gap between Indigenous people and non Indigenous people. Take a read of the final report.
The Government has now made its reponse to the Inquiry. Take a read of it.
How many times do Aboriginal people have to keep telling? People keep asking and we keep telling but nobody is listening to what we are saying and that is frustrating. (Jack Beetson, quoted in the Final Report on Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage in NSW).
In the Final Report of the NSW Upper House Inquiry into Indigenous Disadvantage, the Chair, Ian West, noted that the recommendations build on existing frameworks and tools rather than creating something new. It was stated that the framework to address Indigenous disadvantage is in existence – the State Plan, the Two Ways Together Partnership Community Engagement strategy, and the Interagency Plan to tackle child sexual assault. The tools are also there – Aboriginal community organisations, Elders, and government and non-government agencies, policies and programs. What is needed is a radical change in the way government engages with Indigenous communities.
The Final Report outlines a number of key areas and recommendations based around ensuring that effective partnerships between Government and Aboriginal communities exist, and coordinated service delivery is key, that long term funding for programs is essential, and that the education of non Indigenous people regarding Indigenous cultures is important. ANTaR NSW recognises the importance of effective and meaningful partnerships, coordinated service delivery, and long term funding and we endorse the principles established by the reports recommendations in regards to the following:
the need for long term, rather than short term ad hoc funding of programs (including the interagency plan for implementation of the Breaking the Silence Report)
the involvement of Indigenous community in identification of need, operation of programs and evaluation
Transparent and meaningful monitoring and reporting.
ANTaR NSW sees that Government has an important role in overcoming Indigenous disadvantage. It is essential for Government to involve Aboriginal communities in assessing the effectiveness of Government programs. Similarly genuine partnership is essential in addressing disadvantage. Local communities and Elders need to be included in consultation and in decision making regarding the governance of their communities. The coordination of service delivery is required at many levels including at regional and local levels. This would allow for services and community representatives to determine the best way of delivering services together.
It is necessary for the recommendations made by the Inquiry to be addressed by Government. These recommendations broadly relate to the closing of the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and non Aboriginal people.
ANTaR continues to call on the Government to:
1) Negotiate a Statement of Intent with Indigenous health and health-determinant leaders and organisations in the state.
2) Provide a response in regards the recommendations in the Final Report relating to Aboriginal peoples access to high quality, primary health care. The Government needs to develop a costed and measurable action plan to ensure these barriers are overcome by 2018.
3) Consider how greater self determination can be encouraged and supported in NSW Aboriginal communities.
4) Develop policy that improves the training, recruitment and retention rates of Aboriginal doctors, nurses, dentists and allied health workers
5) Provide a public analysis of the extent to which the Interagency Plan to Tackle Child Sexual Assault in Aboriginal Communities has been effective
These are necessary measures to ensure that Indigenous disadvantage is addressed.New South Wales is home to nearly a third of all Aboriginal people in Australia.
To address Indigenous disadvantage nationally, NSW must become a major arena for change.
That is why ANTaR NSW works hard to raise awareness and lobby NSW State Government. You can help!
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