[Dialogue] Call to Action

[Robyn & John Hutchinson]

        Dear Colleagues,
    We would like to take the opportunity of sharing with you, an update on one part of the campaign for justice.  We invite your participation in whatever way you see fit.  


    The National Emergency document which has been pulled together by Sally Fitzpatrick, edited by John Telford, originally attached, was too big for the list, so can be accessed off-line, if you wished.  

    Sally will be attending the Garma Festival at Gulkula, East Arnhem Land NT and participating in the Keynote Forum focussing on: INDIGENOUS HEALTH: Real Solutions for a Chronic Problems.

    This week long event to be held 2-7 August 2007, is one of Australia's leading cultural exchange gatherings hosted and organised by the Yothu Yindi Foundation - a not-for-profit Aboriginal organisation, with charitable status and who organises programs which have real social, cultural and economic outcomes. This foundation has been the recipient of various prestigous awards over recent years.  Our thoughts go with Sally this week.

    ICAA colleagues are in discussion about how we can best support / partner with organizations to contribute to collaborative, sustainable plans.  

    With best wishes, John and Elaine Telford, Sally Fitzpatrick, John and Robyn Hutchinson



    Subject: 
    To: 2007ReconciliationGroups, 2007StolenWages, wrnlist
    Cc: NSW ANTaR General, NSWAction, NSW Reconciliation Council SydneyList


    Dear Friends,

    This is a further update on the NSW ANTaR campaign to achieve the necessary additional funding for the recommendations of the report Breaking the Silence. Our campaign has the support of Aboriginal leaders, specifically the Chair of the Task force, Marcia Ella-Duncan, who have encouraged us to act. 

    Some of you may be reading about this campaign for the first time. There is a detailed Briefing Note on the NSW pages of the ANTaR website www.antar.org.au which explains something of the establishment of the Task Force, its consultation process and recommendations. There is information about the Northern Territory situation as well.

    The key issue in our campaign is the lack of funding. The NSW Government supported 88 recommendations from its Task Force on Aboriginal Child Sexual Assault but did not provide the essential additional funding in the recent Budget. Despite the release of the Government's five year interagency plan to tackle the issue, the NSW Treasurer, Michael Costa, refused the request for funds from the relevant Ministers. 

    ANTaR representatives have met with a number of NSW politicians about this impasse. These include those with portfolio responsibility and others who have shown particular concern about the issue. We know politicians have received hundreds of letters resulting from the ANTaR campaign and questions have been asked of the Government in Parliamentary Question Time. 

    Over 30 organisations had signed the Open Letter to the Premier when it was sent last Thursday (view at  www.antar.org.au) . There has been growing media attention including a front page story in the Sydney Morning Herald. Some good stories about successful programs in overcoming violence have been featured also. 

    We intend to keep following up the politicians and take every opportunity to publicise the issue. Obviously it is related to the situation in the Northern Territory, but we are keeping this campaign separate because the NSW Government process has been very different. The issue is funding. Given all of this we are calling on you again: 

      a.. To follow up your local NSW politicians. Parliament is in recess now for some weeks, so they can be reached in their local electorate offices 


      a.. To write to your local media, telling them that the local Reconciliation Group signed the Open Letter (example attached), and write letters to editors. 


      a.. To send the Open Letter to the Premier with your own variations or extra comments. We are very aware of the short time frame when we asked organisations to sign it, but it is certainly worth sending it independently. 

    Thanks for your effort so far and keep it up.
    Anne Byrne. President, NSW ANTaR













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