Hundreds protest against intervention
from : NTNews, Sunday 16th September 2007

by DANIEL BOURCHIER

HUNDREDS of people rallied in Darwin yesterday to protest against the Federal Government's indigenous intervention.

Larrakia people, elders, legal professionals, the anti-discrimination commissioner, and aspiring and current parliamentarians spoke explaining the legislation's legal and social implications.

Aboriginal advocate Olga Havnen said their was nothing in the legislation that protected children.

"It is fantastic to see so many people (attending) who are obviously deeply concerned about what is happening," she said.

"This is the year we are supposed to be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 1967 referendum.

"That referendum was supposed to give the Federal Government the power to make laws on behalf of aboriginal people.

"You have to ask if the people who voted for that referendum back in 1967, ever possibly intended or thought it was possible for the Government to pass laws to our detriment and without our consent?

"I would think not. You have to wonder what kind of country we live in that we think it is okay to pass racially discriminative laws.

"I am damn sure if similar sorts of legislation was proposed to be effected on women or gays or some other section of our community, there would be an absolute outrage."

The meeting adopted four recommendations in relation to the Little Children are Sacred report, indigenous intervention, child sexual abuse and the support of the National Aboriginal Alliance.

Meanwhile, 97 people, mostly children, held the 97 recommendations of the Anderson/Wild report.

Organisers are planning a "Walk for Strong Communities" as a follow-up and show of solidarity.

The walk will be from Raintree Park to the Mindil Beach Markets at 5pm on Thursday, September 27.