November 2005 Volume 6, Issue 15
For this our final edition for 2005 we have a discussion by Natasha Firth of the successful prosecution under the Aboriginal Heritage Protection Act 1972 (WA) for damage to an Aboriginal heritage site.
Dr David Cooper questions the real reasons behind the Federal Government’s new approach to Indigenous issues, in particular, shared responsibility agreements (‘SRA’s).
Peter McKerrow examines the new legislation to be introduced early next year in relation to corporate responsibility and accountability for Indigenous organisations, specifically the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Bill 2005.
Ruth Morley discusses recent amendments to the Pitjantjatjara Land Rights Act 1981 (SA) which has renamed the Aboriginal organisation that holds inalienable freehold title to its traditional land as the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara. The changes allow for more appropriate recognition of the language groups involved and better management of the land.
Our feature article for this edition is by Kerry Arabena. She addresses the implications of the ‘whole-of-government’ approach to Indigenous issues for Torres Strait Islanders in particular and the failure to recognise the needs of this group in recent studies and reports.
Finally, we have two book reviews. Garth Nettheim examines Nowhere People by Henry Reynolds, in which the idea of ‘half-castes’ is discussed and how this impacted on government policy and the ultimate removal of ‘mixed race’ children in this country. Ernst Willheim provides a review of The N Word: One Man's Stand, by Stephen Hagan, in which the author discusses his fight to have the word ‘Nigger’ removed from a sign in Queensland. The case went to court and beyond, to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, where Hagan was successful. The Federal Government, however, has rejected the recommendation of the Committee.
Archives of the Bulletin from Volume 1, Issue 1 (1981) to 6(1) 2004 are available at www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/ILB/
Cultural Heritage Protection
Prosecution for Damage to an Aboriginal Site
by Natasha Firth
Policy Matters
Shared Responsibility Agreements: Whitewashing Indigenous Service Delivery
by Dr David Cooper
Legislative Changes
The Pitjantjatjara Land Rights Amendment Act: Addressing Governance on APY Lands
by Ruth MorleyA Note on the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Bill 2005
by Peter McKerrow
Feature Article
Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage and the New Arrangements in the Administration of Indigenous Affairs
by Kerry Arabena
Book Reviews
‘Nowhere People’ by Henry Reynolds
review by Garth Nettheim‘The N Word: One Man’s Stand’ by Stephen Hagan
review by Ernst Willheim
Regular
News and Reviews
Recent Happenings November 2005