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19 Torrens St Braddon
ACT 1612 || GPO Box 1989
Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone +61 2 6246 3788
Facsimilie +61 2 6248 0639
MR3009
15 October 2009
More Consultation Needed to End
Discrimination Under NT Intervention
The Law Council today warned the Federal Government
that to fully restore
human rights for Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory (NT), key measures
must be re-designed in partnership with affected communities.
The statements were made as the Government prepares to introduce legislation
this month
to bring the Northern Territory Intervention into conformity with the
Racial Discrimination Act (RDA).
Law Council President John Corcoran said, “We support
the Federal
Government’s proposal to lift the suspension of the RDA in the Northern
Territory. However, there is significant risk that Australia will continue to breach
its human rights obligations unless substantial changes are made to the
Intervention’s key measures.”
The NT Intervention has been declared contrary to Australia’s international
treaty obligations by the UN Human Rights Committee, the UN Race
Discrimination Committee, the Australian Human Rights Commission, the UN
Special Rapporteur
on
Indigenous Human Rights
and the Government’s
independent 12-month review into the NT Intervention.
The Law Council also rejected the notion that the NT Intervention is comprised
of “special measures”, within the meaning of the term in international law, citing
lack of evidence that they are supported by the majority of those affected.
Mr Corcoran said measures such as compulsory income management, bans on
judicial consideration of customary law in bail, and sentencing and restrictions
on alcohol are highly discriminatory. “It is clear many affected communities do
not support the
measures
and there are doubts as to whether they are
improving the lives of Aboriginal men, women and children,” he said.
“All of these measures must be re-visited
in partnership and consultation with
affected Aboriginal communities. The public must have confidence that
discrimination under the Intervention will end,” Mr Corcoran concluded.
Media Contact:
Elenore Eriksson, Director Public Affairs
P. 02 6246 3716 || M. 0419 269 855
The Law Council of Australia exists to represent the legal profession at
the national level, to speak on behalf of its constituent bodies on
national issues, and to promote the administration of justice, access to
justice and general improvement of the law.
NEWS 
