2016-02-09
The independent report by Monash University showing the NT intervention simultaneously failed to meet Close the Gap targets and international human rights obligations is further proof that the measures should be abandoned, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
“The Australian Greens opposed the NT intervention in 2007 when it was introduced by the Howard Government and we opposed it when it was ‘reframed’ by the Labor Government. The Greens opposition to the intervention in its various forms has spanned nearly a decade.
“The NT Intervention eroded community governance, entrenched punitive measures and demonised people.
“Mounting evidence shows measures like compulsory income management and the Basics Card do not reduce disadvantage, and in fact make life more difficult for those forced onto the card. Report after report shows the measure has largely failed in its objectives.
“The NT Intervention and Stronger Futures policies have been expensive, wasteful and ineffective, they have not delivered the health, social, education and employment outcomes we need.
"The Government needs to urgently reconsider its opposition to a justice target as part of closing the gap, there is overwhelming support for such a measure.
“I am hoping that the Government's response to the Close the Gap report due on Wednesday will abandon paternalistic measures and reinvest in funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs to start addressing the cut of half billion cuts in the 2014-15 budget.
“Now is the time to step up action on Closing the Gap”.