INDIGENOUS HEALTH

Social Determinants of Indigenous Health

Social Determinants of Indigenous Health

The Northern Territory Emergency Response (NT Intervention) or stronger futures

Pick 1 issue from the policy

It was a known fact that the Northern Territory was in need of a large inflow of programs and resources (Kit, John, 2003, p. 12-15). Furthermore, it had been recognized that the government did not care and neglected the issue for too many years; however, many aspects of the "intervention" are causes for concern. These concerns include the lack of consultation, the compulsory acquisition of leases over five years for certain areas owned and managed by the aborigines, the total prohibition of alcohol and pornography, interruption of employment program called the Community Development Employment Program (CDEP, Employment Program for the development of the community), compulsory health checks for all children and promises of additional funding for health and education. A system of compulsory quarantine income was also implemented. This means that any person residing in a designated area and benefiting from social welfare is given a card giving him access to her money, but she is allowed to spend half of their income for food, clothing and other essential items, and in select stores only. This applies to any person for the benefit of Aboriginal welfare, it has dependent children or not and regardless of its ability to manage its budget and provide for his family. It should be noted that the provisions of the "intervention" do not reflect any of the recommendations put forward by the report Ampe Akelyernemane Meke Mekarle on sexual abuse against Aboriginal children (Ashby-Cliffe, Jane, 2008, p. 13-11).

The Australian Senate passed a law called "Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory" that extends for 10 years, already hotly contested measures of the Emergency Response to the Northern Territory adopted in 2007 by the Conservative Government of John Howard. It had meant to address the deep social crisis affecting many remote communities in the Northern Territory; the intervention had required the suspension of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 and provoked strong reactions from the communities, effectively deprived of the management of local affairs benefit of appointed officials in Canberra. The most controversial measures include packaging the payment of family benefits to school attendance of children, the suspension of the permit system to enter Aboriginal lands, the conclusion of leases for the construction of social housing in communities and control spending on benefits. These measures were taken following a report of sexual abuse against Aboriginal children, titled Ampe Akelyernemane Mekarle Meke (Little children are sacred) (Ashby-Cliffe, Jane, 2008, p. 13-11). The report called for 97 recommendations to halt sexual abuse against Aboriginal children. Measures "intervention" was varied, including on the reform of the social protection and employment, public order, education, family and child support, the Child Health and family, housing, land tenure, and governance and management of the "intervention". These consultations have been strongly criticized by indigenous communities and NGOs as a hoax that has not prevented the final report to be used to prepare laws ...