News

Palm Island witnesses claim there was a mirror in watchhouse: inquest NATIONAL, March 10, 2010: Two witnesses at an inquest into an Aboriginal death in custody have contradicted police claims that there was no mirror through which a third witness says he saw the action leading up to the death.

Police threats made me lie: witness PALM ISLAND, March 9, 2010: A key witness in the inquest into the death in custody of an Aboriginal man has claimed he lied in a police statement after being threatened by an officer.

No ‘black armband’ view of history in curriculum: Gillard Issue 196, March 4, 2010: The draft national curriculum will not present a black armband view of Australian history, Education Minister Julia Gillard says.

Oxfam invites all to close the gap Issue 196, March 4, 2010: With National Close the Gap day coming up on March 25, advocacy organisation Oxfam has made the call to those who want to help. National Close the Gap day coordinator Gary Highland said that public pressure would help urge the government to act.

Govt should be more “thoughtful”: Anderson Issue 196, March 4, 2010:The co-author of a report that sparked the Northern Territory intervention says the Rudd government could be more thoughtful about the way it treats Indigenous people.

Welfare changes pass lower house Issue 196, March 4, 2010: The federal government’s controversial plan for a national rollout of compulsory income management has passed the lower house.

O’Donoghue launches institute Issue 196, March 4, 2010: National treasure Lowitja O’Donoghue was joined by an Olympic gold medallist and government ministers as she launched an Indigenous health research institute named in her honour.

Black students in Parliament Issue 196, March 4, 2010: One hundred Indigenous students from around Australia will be invited to Parliament House in Canberra later this year to experience life in a political office, Minister for Employment Participation Mark Arbib has announced.

Rudd govt outlines plans for Territory nuke dump Issue 196, March 4, 2010: Australia’s first national nuclear waste dump could be operational in the Northern Territory outback within the next few years, following what the federal government describes as two decades of indecision.

Greens Senator calls for nuke dump docs Issue 196, March 4, 2010: The federal government has been asked to hand over reports examining potential sites for a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory.

First homes for town camps: govt Construction has begun on the first of 85 houses to be built in Alice Springs town camps, more than two years after the federal government announced it would overhaul housing and infrastructure in Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin inspected construction on the new house at Larapinta Valley town camp late last month.

Britain says sorry to child migrants Issue 196, March 4, 2010: Parliament has welcomed Britain’s apology to former child migrants, including those who were shipped to Australia.

Nominations for youth parliament Issue 196, March 4, 2010: Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women are being encouraged to take part in the 2010 Indigenous Youth Parliament in Brisbane this year.

Australia mourns the loss of a rare Ruby Australia is mourning the loss of inspirational singer-songwriter Ruby Hunter, a Ngarrindjeri woman and member of the Stolen Generations.

Racist Facebook post under investigation Issue 196, March 4, 2010: Police are on alert in a NSW town after a Facebook post about the death of a four-year-old Aboriginal girl fuelled racial tensions.

A “new era” for Yawuru Issue 196, March 4, 2010: Prominent Yawuru leader Patrick Dodson has welcomed a native title deal worth nearly $200 million between Broome traditional owners and the West Australian government.

Centre offers great hope: PM Issue 196, March 4, 2010: The National Centre of Indigenous Excellence offers great hope, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has said at the facility’s grand opening.

PM heckled while opening centre Issue 196, March 4, 2010: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was heckled about aid for disabled people while opening the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Sydney.

Two men die in Aboriginal arts centre fire Issue 196, March 4, 2010: Fire has destroyed a remote Aboriginal art centre in Western Australia, killing two men trapped inside.

Aboriginal councils lose liquor court bid Issue 196, March 4, 2010, Two Aboriginal councils have lost a bid to have a Queensland government move to strip them of their liquor licences declared racist.

Wild Rivers deal pushed through without consultation: Cape leaders Issue 196, March 4, 2010: Cape York Aboriginal leaders say the Queensland government decided to push ahead with controversial Wild Rivers declarations well before consulting traditional owners.

Stop kowtowing to Pearson: MP Issue 196, March 4, 2010, The government and opposition’s desire to emulate the policy ideas of Cape York Indigenous leader Noel Pearson is a dangerous trend, a federal MP says.

Indigenous kids in the Hollywood spotlight Issue 196, March 4, 2010, It’s a long way from the Torres Strait, but that didn’t stop four young Indigenous singers from hitting the right notes in Los Angeles last month.

Russians on thin ice Issue 196, March 4, 2010: Their interpretation of Aboriginal Australia may have secured them a bronze medal, but there were “no winners” in Russian ice dancing duo Oskana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin’s performance, an Aboriginal leader has said.

Stating the obvious in the Territory? Issue 196, March 4, 2010: The 23-strong Statehood Steering Committee will be busy over the coming months, travelling around the Territory as part of an Information Roadshow which is planning to visit some 40 locations as part of efforts to transform the system of government in the Northern Territory.

Camel job scheme needs review Issue 196, March 4, 2010: The success of previous feral camel management programs should be evaluated before more money is allocated to Indigenous employment schemes in that sector, stakeholders say.

SBS mentorship award open for applications SBS has opened up applications for the annual SBS Indigenous Mentorship TV Award.

PRESS CUTS ISSUE 196, March 4, 2010: A fortnightly wrap-up of how the media reported Indigenous affairs.

WORLD: South African uni racism trial begins The multi-lingual chatter of South African students on the lawns of the University of Free State belies the tensions exposed in an explosive race trial that opened earlier this month.

Five Pacific women a day die of childbirth/pregnancy Five women a day die in the Pacific region due to pregnancy or childbirth, a report by a New Zealand parliamentary committee has found.

WORLD: Fiji may pull out of Commonwealth: PM Fiji coup leader Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama is threatening to pull out of the Commonwealth, which he says continues to meddle in attempts to move Fiji forward.

THE BIG READ: Wronging the rights Issue 196, March 4, 2010: Another year, another devastating report card from the United Nations. When will Australia listen and learn?