From the MAIC
The Greens were there with a table full of related material.
James Searle, The Greens State candidate for Eltham was on deck, too.
And the star of the event was Oliver.
Oliver is a protest hip-hop artist
who writes his own material.
Although wheelchair bound he is highly energetic.
He was a great success.
I arrive a little late and was told that Jenny Macklin had been there early with a table of stuff. However, when she saw the company she was among, she moved. Sometime later I spotted Jenny Macklin and spoke to her. I told her that I used to work for a Labor Member of Parliament. "Oh, yes" Jenny Macklin said, "I know her." I then asked Jenny what she was doing to try to get back the $35 million of taxpayer funds wasted by the New Future Alliance in the Northern Territory. You can read more about it here.
Jenny's lips clamped shut and she sped off leaving me to wonder why a Labor party minister cannot converse with a Labor voting citizen about such a policy. Are we living in Joe Stalin's Russia? Do cabinet ministers' loose lips sink policy ships? And I wondered whether this is how Jenny saw herself all those years ago when she set out on her political career. I recall a time when we were proud of Jenny. She was in Opposition acquitting herself well with an assortment of scalps on her belt.
What more can I say, Networkers? Plenty, to be sure. But I don't want to. I am saddened, possibly disgusted by all this. In the Northern Territory, people who were never consulted about the depth and breadth of the impact of The Intervention are suffering and denied the right to be treated as the majority of citizens are treated in Australia. They are denied autonomy and self-determination in regard to the most basic activities of daily life.
All that is left to say is: Who will stop the NT Intervention?
Please join us in trying to do something about this.
We do need your help. See the details below.
Federal Election 2010:
Who Will Stop the NT Intervention?
Speakers:
Richard Di Natale (candidate for The Greens)
Sharon Firebrace (candidate for Socialist Alliance)
David Glanz (Melbourne Anti-Intervention Collective)
Plus a representative from the labour movement TBA.
Monday, 6:30pm
9th August 2010
Trades Hall
cnr Victoria and Lygon Streets
Carlton South
It will take more than voting to get rid of the NT Intervention.
Even if the Greens hold the balance of power in the Senate
it will still require the power of grassroots movements,
such as the land rights movement of the 1970s
to win real Aboriginal rights.
It is no surprise that Tony Abbott is 100% committed
to the failed policies of the NT Intervention.
If he is elected he will
extend the racist Intervention that his party brought in.
Gillard’s Labor government supported the implementation
of the Intervention under Howard and
have entrenched Intervention policies—
Rudd’s apology to the Stolen Generations rings very hollow.
The Greens are the only party with members in parliament
who have consistently opposed the Intervention.
It would be good if the Greens increase their vote in this election,
and if Labor remains in power rather than Abbott.
This will demonstrate a clear vote against
the continuation of racist policies like the NT Intervention.
We encourage you to join us in discussion about what we can do
to take a stand against this latest attack on Aboriginal rights.
Melbourne Anti-Intervention Collective (MAIC) meets
every Monday, 6:30pm at the New International Bookshop.
The bookshop is located in the basement of the Trades Hall
building located on the corner of Lygon and Victoria Streets
in South Carlton. All welcome!
Find us on Facebook:
‘Melbourne Anti Intervention Collective’
Self Determination NOW!
Jobs With Justice
Land Rights, Not Leases
Basic Rights, Not Basic Cards
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