As NAIDOC week continues, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues Senator Rachel Siewert is calling on Australian Governments to strengthen support for protecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.

It has been a decade today since the Howard Government started the Northern Territory Intervention, the Government should finally concede is it a failure and discontinue funding, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

“A decade of policy that has not delivered outcomes, yet the Government is funding it for another two years. 

“Public funds on a measure that has been evidenced in its evaluations to fail in its objectives. This money could have been spent on wrap-around services and measures that are evidenced to work.

The Australian Greens welcome the open letter from the Australian Council of Human Rights Authorities urging all political parties to take heed of the Uluru Statement and to implement real change.

“I urge the community to get behind the Uluru Statement and let all sides of politics know that they don't want it to collect dust on a Parliament House shelf.

On the 20 year anniversary of the Bringing them Home report, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert is warning that another Stolen Generation is underway, and is urging the Government to act on recommendations made by a senate inquiry into Out of Home Care.

“Nearly two years ago, I tabled a senate inquiry report into out-of-home care that made 39 recommendations on how to improve the system. This has been totally ignored by the Turnbull Government.

Greens respond to the Attorney General’s announcement that the Royal Commission into Northern Territory youth detention will be extended by eight weeks, Senator Rachel Siewert said:

“We welcome this extension. Clearly it sends a signal that more deliberations need to occur.

“So far the evidence presented has been distressing. Clearly youth detention in this country is setting up troubled kids to fail.

“I urge the Prime Minister to consider extending the investigation beyond Northern Territory borders. Clearly systemic problems in youth detention are nationwide.

A report released by the Healing Foundation today outlines four key priorities for healing for the Stolen Generations and must be considered by Prime Minister Turnbull, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

“The remaining Aboriginal people who are part of the Stolen Generations deserve to be supported through a healing process, until that is done properly the impacts will continue through intergenerational trauma and entrenching disadvantage.

A report into Aboriginal incarceration rates in Australia that focuses on the plight of Aboriginal women being disproportionately imprisoned needs to be considered as a matter of urgency by Government if they are serious about close the gap efforts, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.  

The Treasurer might have vaguely mentioned Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues in his budget speech, but the detail doesn’t back up the rhetoric, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

“What you don’t see included in the budget papers can be just as concerning as what you do include. This is definitely the case for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues in the 2017 Federal Budget.

The Australian Greens are urging the new WA Government to urgently consider the WA coroner’s recommendation that police lose the power to arrest and detain intoxicated people for street drinking and other measures that will help reduce Aboriginal incarceration rates and deaths in custody.

Australia Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has welcomed local community leaders in Cockburn and Bassendean considering an inclusive day for Australia Day.

“Both the City of Cockburn and Town of Bassendean have taken unifying steps in opening a dialogue on an Australia Day for everyone.

“Everyone should be able to celebrate our wonderful country on a day where all are welcome.