
Image – www.smh.com.au
After several days of the Western Australia media soaking up a flurry of criticisms of Government neglect of remote communities, State Housing Minister, Bill Marmion produced an unbelievable press release reporting ‘support’ for outback communities, as if of a never-before-seen nature. Western Australian remote communities snuck into the media for a couple of days after a family of eight – including six school age children – left their remote community because the local school was closed down and drove 2,000 kilometres to Perth to secure “a good education for the kids”. They finished up homeless for more than five months but throughout which time the children went to school each day.
The story of a family living in tents on the outskirts of Perth, off a major highway, captured not only attention in the Western Australian media but thanks to the ABC, Channel 9 and NITV, also some attention nationally. The story trended highest in the nation for the ABC for several hours after they took it on. A social media campaign run by The Stringer seeking a home for the family went viral – the objective of housing the family was achieved with an offer of interim accommodation. The Stringer readers also donated money, food and clothes.
The media focused on the family leaving their community because the school had closed, and that nearby schools were of poor educational standards. Wongi Grandmother, Mary Meredith said “The Government and the Education Department have failed our communities. Our children are not learning at the same levels, to the same standards, that children are learning at schools in the big cities and towns. The remote schools are two and three years behind.”
Ms Meredith described that remote Aboriginal communities were deprived of the social wealth that other communities and towns enjoy because of unfair Government funding practices.
Perth talkback radio also heard of the State housing crisis, with 3,000 families – who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness – on the Department of Housing’s priority waiting list, for most of whom there is little likelihood of securing a home anytime soon. Western Australia has the worst homelessness rate in the nation, with half of it comprising First Peoples. Government promises of hostels and transitional accommodation have been broken. But for a couple of days the Western Australian public was exposed to both the fact of poor remote living conditions and to the homelessness and State Housing crises, issues which usually do not get a look-in.
And then instead of the Premier or a Minister responding to the crises we got from Minister Marmion the preposterous proposition that remote communities are being supported by the State and Federal Governments – and on the housing crisis, which is his portfolio, not a peep.
“Remote Aboriginal communities are set to benefit from an extra $15 million in State Government funding for essential services,” said Mr Marmion.
Western Australia has more First Peoples communities than anywhere else – $15 million is peanuts for 274 remote communities, long neglected and as a result languishing far behind the rest of regional Australia in what should be the basic tenement of “essential services.”
“The additional money for critical infrastructure will enable more secure water supplies, improvements in water quality and will ensure the safe supply of electricity and other essential services,” said the Housing Minister.
He touted as a positive the “$30 million per annum provided by the State to maintain power, water and wastewater services through the Remote Area Essential Services Programs.” At the same time from the lands that most of these remote communities stand neglected on because of the debacle that is Native Title, the resources extraction companies are becoming filthily wealthy, with profits in the hundreds of millions and billions of dollars each year.
Minister Marmion said that both the State and Commonwealth had “a shared responsibility to address the backlog of infrastructure needs in remote communities.”
“Ongoing funding from the Commonwealth is essential to address the significant challenges in achieving sustainable improvements in remote Aboriginal communities.”
The majority of the 274 remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia are in the Pilbara – the engine room of the mining boom – and in the Kimberley, a tourist mecca. The Kimberley has the highest concentration of First Peoples in the nation, nearly one in every two of the population but the Kimberley endures a homelessness rate of 7 per cent of its total population, with 90 per cent of that homelessness comprising First Peoples.
The State Government’s commitment to remote community essential services in the Budget is $45 million. What a sad joke.
WGAR News: Aboriginal Australian Communities Send a Powerful Message to Government: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities
https://indymedia.org.au/2015/03/24/wgar-news-aboriginal-australian-communities-send-a-powerful-message-to-government-stop
Contents:
* Analysis / Opinion: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Here is part of the list of threatened Homelands – “remote communities”
* Media Release: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia: Aboriginal Australian Communities Send a Powerful Message to Government
* News Analysis: Miranda Wood, Red Flag: Thousands join nationwide rallies against community closures
* News Analysis: Alex Bainbridge, Green Left: Resistance builds against plan to close Aboriginal communities
* News Analysis: Calla Wahlquist & Helen Davidson, The Guardian: Close the Gap day: Colin Barnett tells protesters to ‘put yourselves in my shoes’
* Audio Interviews: Cassandra Tim & Warren Barnsley, National Indigenous Radio’s ‘Weekly News-in-Review’:
Proposed community closures in Western Australia [Featuring Graham Merritt, Irene Davey, Nigel Scullion & Kirstie Parker]
* Audio: Lucy Martin, ABC News: Thousands rally in protest of remote community closures
* Video: SBS News: Barnett shouted down at Indigenous rally
* Video: SBS News: SA crowd protests remote closures
* News Analysis: Brendan Foster, SMH: Aboriginal community closure: intense rally at Parliament House
* News Analysis: Nicolas Perpitch, Bonnie Christian & Andrew O’Connor, ABC News: Colin Barnett pushed as anger erupts at protest over remote communities closure
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA
Thu 19 March 2015 Canberra Rally against Homeland Closures
WGAR News: Eleanor Gilbert’s Videos of Canberra Speakers at 19 March 2015 Rally against Homeland Closures; from Aboriginal Tent Embassy to Parliament House
https://indymedia.org.au/2015/03/24/wgar-news-eleanor-gilberts-videos-of-canberra-speakers-at-19-march-2015-rally-against
Contents:
* Event: Thu 19 March 2015: Rally from Aboriginal Tent Embassy to Parliament House, Canberra:
Aboriginal communities in Australia announce a global call to action.
* Videos: Eleanor Gilbert’s Videos on Vimeo
* Video: Eleanor Gilbert, Vimeo: 150319-Homelands-Abbott for genocide
* Video: Eleanor Gilbert, Vimeo: 150319-Homelands March
* Video: Eleanor Gilbert, Vimeo: 150319-Homelands-Gerry Georgatos
* Video: Eleanor Gilbert, Vimeo: 150319-Homelands-Ghillar Michael Anderson
* Video: Eleanor Gilbert, Vimeo: 150319-Homeland-Alice Haines
* Video: Eleanor Gilbert, Vimeo: 150319-Homelands-Hamid Bin Saad
* Video: Eleanor Gilbert, Vimeo: 150319-Homelands-Rod Liddle
* Video: Eleanor Gilbert, Vimeo: 150319-Homelands-Nova Peris
* Video: Eleanor Gilbert, Vimeo: 150319-Homelands-Shaun Harris
* Video: Eleanor Gilbert, Vimeo: 150319-Homelands-Nicole Culbong
* Video: Eleanor Gilbert, Vimeo: 150319-Homelands-Senator Rachel Siewert
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA
Support for WA Remote Communities is Going Global
WGAR News: International exposure: Rallies throughout Australia protesting closure of Aboriginal homelands / remote communities
https://indymedia.org.au/2015/03/25/wgar-news-international-exposure-rallies-throughout-australia-protesting-closure-of
Contents:
* Video: NITV News: Support for WA Remote Communities is Going Global
* Open Letter: Sovereign Union Letter to United Nations – SOS Forced closure of Aboriginal homeland communities in WA
* Photo: Sovereign Union facebook: “Here is Sovereign Union founder and convenor Ghillar Michael Anderson speaking on a Russian TV program on Thursday night by Skype.”
* News Analysis: Charlotte Chabas, Le Monde: En Australie, la colère des Aborigènes face au « mépris » de leur culture: “The World: In Australia Aboriginal People’s anger faces the ‘contempt’ of their culture”
* News Analysis: teleSUR: Australians Rally against Closure of Aboriginal Communities
* Media Release: Sisters of Saint Joseph: Josephites express profound concern at proposed Government plans to withdraw basic services to Aboriginal communities
* Media Statement: Bishops Commission for Relations with Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders: What Choice? Aboriginal peoples have the right to decent services where they live
* Joint Urgent Appeal: Franciscans International & Edmund Rice International: Forced Displacement of Aborigines in West Australia
* Background: Franciscans International – a voice at the United Nations: Indigenous Peoples
* News Analysis & Video: Heeni Brown, Maori Television: NZ MP’s support Aboriginal protest over proposed closure of indigenous communities
* Analysis / Opinion: Royce Kurmelovs, Al Jazeera: Shutting down Australia’s Aboriginal areas
* News Analysis: Alan Austin in France, Independent Australia: Abbott trashes Australia’s reputation abroad – again
* Analysis / Opinion: Marie McInerney, BBC News: Australia’s remote indigenous communities fear closure
* Facebook: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia
* Background: Diet Simon, sourced from WGAR, Linksunten Indymedia: Aboriginal Australian communities send a powerful message to government
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA
Maori Solidarity with the Nyoongar people at Matargarup, Perth
WGAR News: Protests against closure of Aboriginal communities gain momentum: Rewa Harriman, Maori Television
https://indymedia.org.au/2015/03/29/wgar-news-protests-against-closure-of-aboriginal-communities-gain-momentum-rewa-harriman
Contents:
* News Analysis & Video: Rewa Harriman, Maori Television: Protests against closure of Aboriginal communities gain momentum [Maori Solidarity with the Nyoongar people at Matargarup, Perth]
* News Analysis & Video: Heeni Brown, Maori Television: Maori concern grows for remote Aboriginal communities
* News Analysis & Video: Taroi Black, Maori Television: Maori students join online protest against the closure of Aboriginal communities
* Action: Eru Rerekura, Radio New Zealand News: Call for support for Australian indigenous rights
* Video: Digital Dreaming Project, facebook: Coroboree Causes Conjestion: Brisbane Unites for the WA Mob.
* Video: Lia Yorkston, facebook: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia: “Brisbane knows how to protest”
* Poster: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia, facebook: “We would like to confirm that that 2nd National Call of Action will be held Friday 1st May 2015.”
* Background: The Stringer facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheStringerNews
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA
WGAR News: May Day marches:
Forcibly removing our Peoples from their lands unacceptable as a remedy for governments trading insolvent:
Ghillar Michael Anderson, Sovereign Union
https://indymedia.org.au/2015/03/30/wgar-news-may-day-marches-forcibly-removing-our-peoples-from-their-lands-unacceptable-as
Contents:
* Media Release: Ghillar Michael Anderson, Sovereign Union: May Day marches: Forcibly removing our Peoples from their lands unacceptable as a remedy for governments trading insolvent
* Poster: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia, facebook: “We would like to confirm that that 2nd National Call of Action will be held Friday 1st May 2015.”
* Facebook: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia
* Video: NITV News: Remote Closures – SA Communities Call Emergency Summit to Fight ‘Cultural Genocide’
* News: Online News Team, Rewa Harriman, Maori Television: Maori supporters entertain indigenous protesters
* Background: Diet Simon, sourcing from WGAR, Linksunten Indymedia: Maori solidarity with the Nyoongar people at Matargarup, Perth
* WGAR Background to the Aboriginal Sovereignty Movement
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA
Threats to close Aboriginal homelands in South Australia
WGAR News: SA Indigenous leaders seek urgent meeting over community closure concerns: Natalie Whiting, ABC PM
Featuring Haydyn Bromley, SA Aboriginal Lands Trust & Tammy Franks, SA Greens MLC
https://indymedia.org.au/2015/03/31/wgar-news-sa-indigenous-leaders-seek-urgent-meeting-over-community-closure-concerns
Contents:
* Audio: Natalie Whiting, ABC PM: SA Indigenous leaders seek urgent meeting over community closure concerns [Featuring Haydyn Bromley, SA Aboriginal Lands Trust & Tammy Franks, SA Greens MLC]
* News: ABC News: Indigenous elders meet at Port Augusta as federal funding cuts threaten to close remote communities [Featuring Elder Mima Smart]
* Video: NITV News – 30 March 2015: Threats to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in SA
* Video: NITV News: Remote Closures – SA Communities Call Emergency Summit to Fight ‘Cultural Genocide’
* Poster: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia, facebook: “We would like to confirm that that 2nd National Call of Action will be held Friday 1st May 2015.”
* Facebook: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA
WGAR News Public Google Group: https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en-GB#!forum/wgar-news
WGAR News – Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)
Bella Bropho interviewed on Maori Television
WGAR News: Bella Bropho interviewed by Rewa Harriman – Aboriginal Community Closures: Native Affairs, Maori Television
https://indymedia.org.au/2015/04/05/wgar-news-bella-bropho-interviewed-by-rewa-harriman-aboriginal-community-closures-native
Contents:
* Latest News & Videos: Top topic: Australia – Maori Television: http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/latest-news/australia
* Video Interview: Native Affairs, Rewa Harriman, Maori Television: Native Affairs – Aboriginal Community Closures [Rewa Harriman interviews Bella Bropho]
* News Analysis & Video: Native Affairs, Online News Team, Rewa Harriman, Maori Television: Aboriginal people call on John Key to support their communities
* News Analysis & Video: Maiki Sherman, Maori Television: Support grows for Australian Aboriginal communities from Maori MPs
* News Analysis: Online News Team, Maori Television: Marama Fox denied leave for vote on Australian Aboriginal communities
* News Analysis & Video: Rewa Harriman, Maori Television: Wangkatja elder concerned about mineral wealth of ancestral land
* News Analysis & Video: Rewa Harriman, Maori Television: Nyungah tribe embroiled in familiar battle with Australian Government
* Poster: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia, facebook: “We would like to confirm that that 2nd National Call of Action will be held Friday 1st May 2015.”
* Facebook: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA
WGAR News: Abuse in remote communities is the oldest excuse for catastrophic evictions: Tammy Solonec, The Guardian
https://indymedia.org.au/2015/04/07/wgar-news-abuse-in-remote-communities-is-the-oldest-excuse-for-catastrophic-evictions
Contents:
* Analysis / Opinion: Tammy Solonec, The Guardian: Abuse in remote communities is the oldest excuse for catastrophic evictions
* Analysis / Opinion: Tammy Solonec, Indigenous Rights Manager, Amnesty International Australia: Update: forced closure of homelands communities
* Audio Interviews: Cassandra Tim & Warren Barnsley, NIRS Weekly News-in-Review [Featuring Dennis Eggington & Margaret Culbong: remote community closures]
* Analysis / Opinion: Revive Magazine: Concern for WA’s remote Indigenous communities
* Analysis / Opinion: Ruth DeSouza: The closure of remote Aboriginal communities: What is the role of nurses in Indigenous disadvantage?
* Poster: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia, facebook: “We would like to confirm that that 2nd National Call of Action will be held Friday 1st May 2015.”
* Facebook: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA
Marches in Melbourne & Sydney protesting community closures
WGAR News: Breaking News 10 April 2015: Over Thirteen Thousand People Shut down Melbourne: CAAMA
https://indymedia.org.au/2015/04/11/wgar-news-breaking-news-10-april-2015-over-thirteen-thousand-people-shut-down-melbourne
* Photos, Videos & Media: 10 April 2015 Marches in Melbourne & Sydney: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia, facebook
* Audio Interview: Van Nguyen & Sacha Payne, SBS News: Protests over plans to close remote communities [Van Nguyen spoke to Sacha Payne from the Melbourne rally]
* Video: David Hurley, Herald Sun: Flinders Street protest causing traffic, commuter chaos
* Breaking News & Photos: CAAMA: Over Thirteen Thousand People Shut down Melbourne
* Breaking News: ABC News: Thousands rally in Melbourne in support of remote Aboriginal communities
* Breaking News: Aisha Dow, The Age: Protests bring city roads to standstill
* Breaking News: Skye News: Aboriginal protest disrupts Melb CBD
* Breaking News: SBS News: Hundreds protest against WA closures in Melbourne, Sydney
* Video: NITV News: We Want the World to Know: Rallies Continue Against Forced Closures of Aboriginal Communities
* Breaking News: Brittany Ruppert, SMH: 800 people march in Sydney protest against forced closure of remote Indigenous communities
* News Analysis: Green Left: Good news: Victorian council opposes closures of Aboriginal communities
* News Analysis: Thom Mitchell, New Matilda: Marches Today In Sydney, Melbourne Against Forced Closures Of Aboriginal Communities
* Photos: Citizenside France: Noosa: Protesters condemn community closures outside Abbott’s lunch
* Poster: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia, facebook: “We would like to confirm that that 2nd National Call of Action will be held Friday 1st May 2015.”
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA
Reps from KLC will travel to NY for 20 April meeting of permanent forum on Indigenous issues
WGAR News: Kimberley Land Council to ask UN forum to condemn Indigenous community closures: Calla Wahlquist, The Guardian
https://indymedia.org.au/2015/04/10/wgar-news-kimberley-land-council-to-ask-un-forum-to-condemn-indigenous-community-closures
Contents:
* Video: Rachael Thornton, The Feed, SBS: Indigenous communities facing closure [Featuring Aboriginal people from WA homelands]
* Personal Story: Samantha Martin, Sunday Style, news.com.au: It’s more than just a ‘lifestyle choice’, it’s my home
* Analysis / Opinion: Calla Wahlquist, The Guardian: Kimberley Land Council to ask UN forum to condemn Indigenous community closures
* Analysis / Opinion: Michelle Lovegrove & Andrea Booth, NITV: Indigenous MP Linda Burney condems WA remote community closures
* Analysis / Opinion: Bridie Jabour, The Guardian: SA Indigenous figures fear funding dispute could lead to ‘cultural genocide’
* Analysis / Opinion: Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese: Funding Cuts to Remote WA and SA Communities Will Destroy Aboriginal Life
* News Analysis: Natalie Whiting, ABC News: Remote SA Aboriginal communities reassured they will stay open in face of national funding cuts
* Audio: Natalie Whiting, The World Today: SA Aboriginal groups assured communities won’t close
* WGAR News: Breaking News – 10 April 2015: Over Thirteen Thousand People Shut down Melbourne: CAAMA
* Poster: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia, facebook: “We would like to confirm that that 2nd National Call of Action will be held Friday 1st May 2015.”
* Facebook: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA
KALACC Directors Statement – Kimberley
WGAR News: KALACC Directors: Threatened Closure of Remote Aboriginal Communities: Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre
https://indymedia.org.au/2015/04/12/wgar-news-kalacc-directors-threatened-closure-of-remote-aboriginal-communities-kimberley
Contents:
* Statement: Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre: KALACC Directors Statement on the Threatened Closure of Remote Aboriginal Communities – April 2015
* Background: KALACC is the Kimberley Region’s Peak Indigenous Law and Culture Centre
* Background: WGAR News: Kimberley Land Council to ask UN forum to condemn Indigenous community closures: Calla Wahlquist, The Guardian
* Background: Kimberley Land Council – About Us
* Analysis / Opinion: Michele Madigan, Eureka Street: Funding cut signals the destruction of Aboriginal life in Australia
* Audio: Dom Vukovic, 2SER – Real Radio: “removal of aboriginal communities from their lands in Western Australia”
[Featuring Paddy Gibson, Brenda Croft & Rosalie Kunoth-Monks]
* News: Thom Mitchell, New Matilda: ‘We’ll Be Back’: Thousands Protest Forced Closure Of Remote Communities
* News: NZ Herald: Melbourne rocked by protests
* News: Reme Sakr, Press TV: Australians slam govt. over plans against aboriginals
* Video: Seven Local News – Sunshine Coast, facebook: “A group of protesters tried to interrupt the Prime Minister while he lunched in Noosa”
* Event Poster: TangataWhenua.com: Maori solidarity with our Aboriginal brothers and sisters in Australia
* Event Poster: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia, facebook: “We would like to confirm that that 2nd National Call of Action will be held Friday 1st May 2015.”
* Facebook: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia
* Background: Press TV: Australia discontinues water, electricity services for Aboriginals
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA
Funding for South Australia’s Aboriginal Communities
WGAR News: Interview with Haydyn Bromley on funding for the 60 SA Aboriginal Communities: Uncle Stephen Goldsmith, Nunga Wangga – Radio Adelaide
https://indymedia.org.au/2015/04/14/wgar-news-interview-with-haydyn-bromley-on-funding-for-the-60-sa-aboriginal-communities
Contents:
* Audio Interview: Uncle Stephen Goldsmith, Nunga Wangga – Radio Adelaide: Haydyn Bromley on funding for the 60 SA Aboriginal Communities
[Featuring Haydyn Bromley, Stephen Goldsmith, Minungka McInerney]
* Audio Interview: CAAMA Radio’s Strong Voices: South Australia’s Remote Communities Safe for Now!
[Featuring Haydyn Bromley, Aboriginal Lands Trust South Australia]
* Audio: Natalie Whiting, The World Today: SA Indigenous communities safe: state and federal governments strike a deal
[Featuring Nigel Scullion, Haydyn Bromley & Kyam Maher]
* Media Release: Senator Rachel Siewert: Greens: Federal funding for SA remote aboriginal communities secured, WA must receive funding rethink
* Analysis / Opinion: Michele Madigan, Eureka Street: Funding cut signals the destruction of Aboriginal life in Australia
* Breaking News: Natalie Whiting, Nicola Gage & staff, ABC News: Future of remote Aboriginal communities secured by deal between SA and federal governments
* Breaking News: Lauren Novak, The Advertiser: State and Federal Governments sign $15 million funding agreement for services for Aboriginal communities.
* Breaking News: Stephanie Anderson, SBS News: Deal secures future of SA remote Indigenous communities
* Breaking News: Bridie Jabour, The Guardian: SA remote Indigenous communities thrown lifeline by funding deal
* Background: WGAR News: SA Indigenous leaders seek urgent meeting over community closure concerns: Natalie Whiting, ABC PM
[Featuring Haydyn Bromley & Tammy Franks]
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA
WGAR News: Aboriginal protest continues as Australian PM plans visit to New Zealand: Online News Team, Maori Television
https://indymedia.org.au/2015/04/14/wgar-news-aboriginal-protest-continues-as-australian-pm-plans-visit-to-new-zealand-online
Contents:
* Latest News & Videos: Top topic: Australia – Maori Television: http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/latest-news/australia
* News Analysis: Online News Team, Maori Television: Aboriginal protest continues as Australian PM plans visit to New Zealand
* News Analysis: Online News Team, Maori Television: Maori perform haka in Sydney opposing closure of remote Aboriginal communities
* News Analysis: Online News Team, Taiha Molyneux, Maori Television: Maori and Australian artists collaborate to create artwork opposing remote community closure
* Call Out: Melissa Sweet, Croakey – the Crikey health blog: Calling health professionals to stand up on May 1, and join the “Selfish Rabble”
* Event Poster: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia, facebook: “We would like to confirm that that 2nd National Call of Action will be held Friday 1st May 2015.”
* News Analysis: Steph Price, Red Flag: The fight for remote communities strengthens
* News Analysis: Rachel Evans & Jemma Nott, Green Left: Huge rallies against WA community closures
* Video: Yupster2501, YouTube: Stop The Forced Closure Of Aboriginal Communities – Sydney 10th April 2015
* Interview: The Guardian: #SOSBLAKAUSTRALIA: stop the forced closure of Aboriginal communities – IndigenousX [Featuring Sam Cook]
* Facebook: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA
Aboriginal Homelands Closure
WGAR News: Unions Slam Closure Of Remote Aboriginal Communities In WA: Amy McQuire, New Matilda
https://indymedia.org.au/2015/04/18/wgar-news-unions-slam-closure-of-remote-aboriginal-communities-in-wa-amy-mcquire-new
Contents:
* Analysis / Opinion: Mia Pepper, Eco-Shout: Radioactive racism in the Wild West – WA takes aim at remote communities
* Analysis / Opinion: Amy McQuire, New Matilda: Unions Slam Closure Of Remote Aboriginal Communities In WA
* News Analysis: Shar Adams, Epoch Times: Australia: Indigenous Affairs Take Backward Step [Featuring Jon Altman]
* Audio Interviews: Cassandra Tim & Warren Barnsley, NIRS Weekly News-in-Review:
[Featuring: Pekeri Ruska, Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance & Haydn Bromley, South Australian Aboriginal Lands Trust]
* Interview: Solidarity Online: Aboriginal community closures: ‘This is an attempt to destroy our culture’
[Featuring Meriki Onus, protest organiser from the youth group Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance]
* News: Michele Jedlicka, The Inverell Times: Inverell plans second protest march over closing WA Aboriginal communities
* Audio: Kristy McMahon, NIRS: Auckland to rally in support of remote WA communities
* Event Poster: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia, facebook: “We would like to confirm that that 2nd National Call of Action will be held Friday 1st May 2015.”
* Video: Myles Morgan & Andrea Booth, NITV News: NT Minister expects migration if WA communities close
* Facebook: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia: https://www.facebook.com/sosblakaustralia
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA
Maori Party letter to the Australian Prime Minister
WGAR News: Maori Party issues scathing letter to Tony Abbott regarding treatment of Aboriginal people: Claire Trevett, New Zealand Herald
https://indymedia.org.au/2015/04/21/wgar-news-maori-party-issues-scathing-letter-to-tony-abbott-regarding-treatment-of
Contents:
* Analysis / Opinion: Belinda Grant Geary, Daily Mail Australia: ‘The first thing that strikes me about Australia is how racist this place is’: Writer claims our treatment of Aborigines is WORSE than apartheid South Africa
* Analysis / Opinion: Sisonke Msimang, Africa is a Country: Is There a Place Where White People Are More Committed to Faux Race Blindness than South Africa?
* News Analysis: Amy McQuire, New Matilda: Maori Leader Brands Tony Abbott A ‘Racist B*stard’ Over Remote Closure Plans
* News Analysis: Eru Rerekura, Radio New Zealand News: Harawira has message for Australian PM
* Media Release: Maori Party letter to the Australian Prime Minister
* Video: Te Karere TVNZ, YouTube: Maori Party calls out Australian PM on treatment of Aboriginal people
* News Analysis: Claire Trevett, New Zealand Herald: Maori Party issues scathing letter to Tony Abbott regarding treatment of Aboriginal people
* News: Dan Conifer, ABC News: New Zealand Maori Party condemns potential closure of Aboriginal communities in open letter to Tony Abbott
* News Analysis & Video: Numia Ponika-Rangi, Maori Television: Opposition groups enraged ahead of Abbotts arrival to NZ
* News Analysis & Video: Rewa Harriman, Maori Television: Native Affairs – End Of The Dreamtime
* Latest News & Videos: Top topic: Australia – Maori Television
* Statement: Green Left: New NT group says fund and support self-determination for Aboriginal communities
* Audio: Warren Barnsley, NIRS: Community closures threaten spiritual identity: KALACC
* Upcoming Event: 1 May 2015, Rally at Belmore Park, Sydney – National Day of Action: Speakers: Aunty Jenny Munro, John Pilger, Gwenda Stanley & reps from WA communities
* Event Poster: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia, facebook: “We would like to confirm that that 2nd National Call of Action will be held Friday 1st May 2015.”
* Facebook: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia: https://www.facebook.com/sosblakaustralia
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA
* WGAR Background: Aboriginal Peoples and the impact of the Federal Budget
Kimberley Land Council condemns community closures at UN
WGAR News: ‘Systemic Racism’ Of WA Remote Community Closures Savaged At United Nations: Amy McQuire, New Matilda
https://indymedia.org.au/2015/04/23/wgar-news-systemic-racism-of-wa-remote-community-closures-savaged-at-united-nations-amy
Contents:
* News Analysis: Amy McQuire, New Matilda: ‘Systemic Racism’ Of WA Remote Community Closures Savaged At United Nations
* News Analysis: Kimberley Land Council: KLC condemns community closures at United Nations
* News Analysis: Calla Wahlquist, The Guardian: UN forum backs fight against closure of remote Aboriginal communities in WA
* Audio Interview: RN Drive, ABC: Australian lawyer to chair top UN indigenous body [Featuring Megan Davis]
* Background: UN News Centre: As Forum opens, deputy UN chief says 2015 a ‘critical year’ for world’s indigenous peoples
* Background: United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues: Fourteenth Session of the Permanent Forum
* Analysis / Opinion: John Pilger.com, The secret country again wages war on its own people
* News: Online News Team, Maori Television: Events planned worldwide to support Aboriginal communities on May 1st
* News: Maiki Sherman, Maori Television: Labour outlines concerns on Aborigine communities in letter to Australian Labor Party
* Latest News & Videos: Indigenous – Maori Television: http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/latest-news/indigenous
* News & Video: Phil Hickey, Perth Now: Heirisson Island camp Indigenous leaders protest at State Parliament
* News: Brendan Foster, WA Today: Parliament House protest: ugly scenes as police make arrests
* Facebook: The Stringer: “Official statement from Elder Bella Bropho, of the Matargarup First Nations Refugee Camp”
* Event Poster: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia, facebook: “We would like to confirm that that 2nd National Call of Action will be held Friday 1st May 2015.”
* Facebook: Stop the Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities in Australia: https://www.facebook.com/sosblakaustralia
* WGAR Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA