Indigenous Policies
Tom Calma, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and Acting Race Discrimination Commissioner at the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, has identified three fundamental elements of good Indigenous policy that meets community needs and brings about lasting change. They are
- engagement,
- participation and
- accountability.
He argues that good outcomes require
- community empowerment
- relationship building
- development of a research base
- improving parenting skills
- school based interventions
- offender treatment programs; and
- community development employment projects.
He also speaks of policy interventions that do not adversely impact on Indigenous people’s ability to exercise our human rights and fundamental freedoms. (see Calma, Tom, Tackling Child Abuse and Inequality in Coercive Reconciliation, Altman J and Hinkson M eds. listed below)
Inquires into child sexual abuse within Aboriginal communities have generated many recent policy responses Federally and in many states and territories. New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory have all produced reports over the last six years with damning findings. The causes are complex, but all refer to the role of education in addressing a myriad of needs and in creating sustainable solutions.
In 2007 the Northern Territory Emergency Response represented a dramatic intervention to address these problems. In 2008 The Parliament of Australia, under Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, offered an Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples, which placed educational achievement in the centre of government priorities and goals.
Websites
Reports into Child Sexual Abuse:
www.nt.gov.au/dcm/inquirysaac/pdf/bipacsa_final_report.pdf
The report of the Northern Territory Board of Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse, 2007. Ampe Akelyernemane Meke Mekarle, Little Children are Sacred
www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/acsat
The report of the NSW Aboriginal and Child Sexual Assault Taskforce, 2006, Breaking the Silence: Creating the Future. Addressing child sexual assault in Aboriginal communities in NSW
http://www.premier.wa.gov.au/feature_stories/gordoninquiryreport.pdf
Gordon S, Hallahan K, and Henry D, 2002, Putting the Picture Together: Inquiry into Response by Government Agencies to Complaints of Family Violence and Child Abuse in Aboriginal Communities, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Western Australia, 2002
www.service.sa.gov.au/ContentPages/sagovt/mullighaninquiry.aspx
Hon EB Mullighan QC, Commissioner, 2008, Children in State Care Commission of Inquiry. Allegations of Sexual Abuse and Death from criminal Conduct, South Australian Government.
Research Centres
www.cis.org.au
The Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) is one of the key research bodies that have influenced government policy particularly under the previous Federal Coalition Government. CIS research on Indigenous policy issues began in 2005 with an overview of the issues facing the 90,000 most disadvantaged Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders who live in remote settlements. The research sought to establish the key problems facing Indigenous communities and the policy reforms needed to ensure a transition to decent living standards for Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in remote settlements, as well as the reasons for low labour force participation and high unemployment in fringe and ghetto settlements.
The Centre for Independent Studies is underpinned by an ideology that believes economic freedom is essential for the economy to thrive and the best way to assist the most disadvantaged is through economic performance. You will find a range of papers on education, literacy and schooling in remote communities on this website.
www.cyi.com.au
This is the website of the Cape York Institute which is closely associated with Noel Pearson, an influential Aboriginal commentator who writes a column weekly in the Australian. He is most known for his critique of the “welfare dependency” model of government policy. The Cape York Institute produces a range of discussion papers, speeches, often relating to practical implementation of programs.
www.anu.edu.au/capr/
The Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy and Research focuses upon research and teaching regarding Indigenous economic and social development and public policy striving to contribute to better outcomes for Indigenous Australians. On this site you will find publications, seminars and news on CAEPR’s activities. CAEPR represents important alternative analysis to that of the Centre for Independent Studies.
Policy Response
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www.pm.gov.au/media/Speech/2008/speech_0073.cfm
You will find at this website the Prime Minister of Australia’s Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples House from Representatives Parliament House Canberra. The apology contains within it the following goals:
- within a decade to halve the widening gap in literacy numeracy and employment outcomes for indigenous children
- to halve the gap in infant mortality rates between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children and to close the overall life expectancy gap; and
- to build new educational opportunities and health care.
www.facsia.gov.au/nter/docs/factsheet_all.pdf
Northern Territory Emergency Response – Facts Sheets
These facts sheets are regularly amended and updated and provide information on the policy and practices that inform the ongoing federal Government intervention in Northern Territory’s Indigenous Communities.
Publications
HUGHES, Helen, 2007, Lands of Shame, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander “homelands’ in transition, The Centre for Independent Studies Limited, Sydney
This book was published with the intention of shaking up the policy debate. Helen Hughes outlines the shocking and persistent disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and identifies a number of causes. She then proposes solutions that in some cases are highly controversial and contested.
ALTMAN Jon and HINKSON Melinda, 2007, Coercive Reconciliation. Stabilise, Normalise, Exit Aboriginal Australia, Arena Publications, Melbourne
This book lays out through a series of contributions some of the concerns with the National Emergency as an appropriate response to the Northern Territory Board of Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse, but more broadly represents an alternative view to that outlined in Helen Hughes book.
Key Reports which continue to impact upon the policy debate
HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION, 1991, Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, Commonwealth
This report revealed a complex pattern and devastating picture of the effects of dispossession, colonisation and institutional racism on Aboriginal peoples. It also produced a series of recommendations the majority of which have not yet been implemented.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION, 1997, Bringing them Home, Commonwealth
The report told the stories of Indigenous communities and children who were taken from their families as a consequence of government policies and laws. The report made wide ranging recommendations, such as the need to provide counselling and other heath services, family reunion services and other means to support Indigenous families and their children. The report also called for the establishment of a Sorry Day and a national apology to those affected by the separation.
The national apology was finally delivered in the Commonwealth parliament on the 13 March 2007 with the election of the Rudd Government
HUGHES, HELEN, 2008, Indigenous Participation in the Northern Territory, Policy Monograph 83 Centre for Independent Studies
Ever controversial, Helen Hughes outlines the failure of education policy and practice in Aboriginal communities of the Northern Territory and outlines an agenda for action.
Particular education policies
VICTORIAN ABORIGINAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED in partnership with the Victorian Government through the OFFICE OF TRAINING AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, Wurreker Strategy
Wurreker means message carrier in Wemba Wemba Language. The Wurreker Startegy was developed by the Wurreker’s overall vision is that vocational education training and support for Koorie communities must include:
- Pathways and employment
- Koorie community development
- Individual learner development
- Self determination
TASMANIAN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, 2002, Oana Mallacka Tasmanian Plan of Action for Increasing Aboriginal people’s access to vocational education and training 2002-2005
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL TRAINING AUTHORITY, 2005, Partners in a learning culture: The Way Forward, ANTA, Brisbane
This document succeeds Partners in a Learning Culture: Australia’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy for Vocational Education and Training 2000-2005. While continuing to work on the earlier strategic objectives, six new priorities have been identified. They are:
- Building the capacity of the VET Sectors
- Creating more pathways
- Improving funding frameworks
- Culturally appropriate product development, design and delivery
- Links to employment
- Growing VET sector partnerships
NSW ABORIGINAL EDUCATION CONSULTATIVE GROUP INC. AND NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING, 2004, Yanigurra Muya: Ganggurrinyma Yaarri Guurulaw Yirringin.gurray. Freeing the Spirit: Dreaming and Equal Future. The Report of the Review of Aboriginal Education. NSW Department of Education and Training, Darlinghurst, NSW
The review found that education and training is only one part of the story in bringing brighter futures to Aboriginal teenagers and young adults. Key messages were:
one of the most valued aspects of schooling and training is the potential to lead to employment; people within DET, its schools and campuses would benefit from additional training and experience in working with Aboriginal people; the understandings of community, collaborative decision making and self determination held by non-Aboriginal leaders and staff members are only a shadow of what these concepts mean to Aboriginal people.
The report has made recommendations in a number of areas which include extending quality learning and teaching and engaging Aboriginal Students.
NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING, 2006, NSW Aboriginal Education and Training Strategy 2006 – 2008, NSW Department of Education and training.
The Strategy’s purpose is to build perspectives and activities relevant to Aboriginal education into all areas of education, improve learning outcomes for Aboriginal students, and change practice to strengthen workplace participation for Aboriginal People.
The strategy outlines goals, principles and key directions, which will enable the Department to realise its purpose.