Antinuclear

Northern Territory Intervention aboriginal land grab is discriminatory

Mr Gooda criticises in particular the commonwealth’s compulsory acquisition of leases over Aboriginal land in 64 communities.

Intervention still discriminatory: Gooda, Sydney Morning Herald, Julian DrapeFebruary 10, 2011 –  Social justice commissioner Mick Gooda has attacked federal Labor over its redesign of the Northern Territory intervention, arguing key elements remain racially discriminatory.

In his first social justice and native title reports, released on Thursday, Mr Gooda criticises in particular the commonwealth’s compulsory acquisition of leases over Aboriginal land in 64 communities.

“To be consistent with the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA) measures relating to the management of land must be taken with the consent of the landowners,” Mr Gooda writes.

“Therefore, the redesigned provisions regarding the five-year leases remain inconsistent with the RDA in this respect.”

Mr Gooda says the “absence of consent” and “inadequate consultation” brings into question the government’s characterisation of the leases as “special measures”.

Intervention still discriminatory: Gooda

February 11, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | aboriginal issues, Northern Territory