THE Australian Government did not formally respond to United Nations concerns about its plans to extend a Northern Territory intervention program until the legislation had passed parliament, new documents show.
The Labor government's "Stronger Futures" legislation, which passed in late June, extended the Howard-era policy to address abuse in Aboriginal communities for another decade.
Last week, it was revealed UN special rapporteur on poverty,
Magdalena Sepulveda Carmona, and James Anaya. the special rapporteur on indigenous rights, had raised concerns about Australia's human rights obligations.
In a seven-page letter dated March 9 and obtained under freedom of information laws, the rapporteurs expressed concerns that discrimination and stigmatisation of Aboriginal people could be exacerbated under the Stronger Futures laws.
They also were concerned the government's consultation process with remote communities had failed to take into account literacy and education deficits.
Australia responded to the rapporteurs' letter on July 20, even though the rapporteurs had requested a response within 60 days.
In the letter seen by AAP, Australia's permanent representative at the United Nations Paul Wilson said the Stronger Futures laws would make communities safer.
"The Australian government's commitment will see continued investment in making communities safer and families and children, healthier," he wrote.
Mr Wilson said the laws complied with the Racial Discrimination Act and defended the consultation process.
"Each of these consultations have involved an unprecedented number of communities and individuals participating in meetings to have their say and influence policy proposals," he wrote.
Mr Wilson also said the legislative process had "allowed time for effective parliamentary scrutiny".
Indigenous minister Jenny Macklin has previously said the objectives of the laws are compatible with humans rights obligations.
Mr Wilson's five page letter also provided a long detailed list of spending promises for indigenous communities.
The intervention program, started by the former Howard coalition government to address abuse and drunkenness, has been deeply unpopular across many Aboriginal communities in the NT. (SOURCE)
In April, 2012, Dr Djiniyini Gondarra from the Assembly of First Nations in Arnhem Land called for the Federal Government to scrap the Stronger Futures legislation. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford Source: Northern Territory News
Sad! Sad! Deplorable! Racist.
I wonder how the people who stole the land from the aborigines, former criminals sent to live out their sentences in Australia, would feel when their time comes and others show up to round them up like cattle, take their best land, abuse them and their wives and children and then try to suffocate them by taking all their land which is sacred to them..
If I know University of Arizona law professor James Anaya, this fight is not over. He is a good man to have on your side.
What people need to remember is that under an Order In Council created by Queen Victoria of the UK Parliament on 2 Aug 1875 (which can NOT be amended, repealed etc..) The UK parliament and its minion 'Australian' parliaments are prohibited from extending or construing to extend sovereignty over the Tribes here and in the Pacific Islands.
This is basic law. The 'Australian' Crown agents who interfere with Tribal Sovereigns are committing acts of war against the Tribes and the Australian governments fraud of Native Title has also been exposed as being an unconscionable and illegal process.