In June 2009, we went to Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory with some ideas on how we could take the Northern Territory Emergency Response forward so it respects Australia’s human rights obligations and conforms more clearly with the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.
We listened very carefully to what people told us in over 500 meetings and workshops across the Northern Territory – to their concerns and frustrations, their ideas and hopes for the future.
We have delivered on our commitment to introduce legislation into Parliament in 2009 to reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act and to change policies under the NTER to better meet our obligations under this law.
After listening carefully to people, we have proposed changes to NTER measures. These changes are reflected in the legislation that will be debated by the Parliament in the New Year. There is also an opportunity for all individuals and groups to comment on this legislation through a Senate inquiry.
If this legislation passes through the Parliament, we will be able to start making these changes from 1 July 2010.
This booklet summarises what people said in the NTER redesign consultations held across the Northern Territory earlier this year. It also explains the changes we have put to the Parliament.
I sincerely thank the Traditional Owners on whose land the NTER redesign consultations took place.
Many thousands of people have had their say during the consultations and the Government considered the messages delivered in those consultations very carefully. The Government gratefully appreciates the time and contributions of everyone who participated.
We respect the desire of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory to have greater responsibility for driving solutions to problems in their communities. We will work to build partnerships through the roll-out of significant new resources for local leadership, housing, early childhood development, education, employment, health services, safer communities and more over coming months and years.
Jenny Macklin MP
Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs