13 May 2005
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ANTaR WESTERN
AUSTRALIA NEWSLETTER 13 May 2005 |
| Contents NEWS & EVENTS Federal Budget Ignores Indigenous Suffering ANTaR National Media Release Friday 13 May Successful AGM New Committee Elected Bringing Them Home Committee - Sorry Day 2005 events Sorry Day Thursday May 26th Minnawarra Park, Armadale 11.30am - 1.00pm Candle Lit Vigil & Walk 6.00pm Parliament House Reconciliation Groups in 2005 Walyalup Group Vincent Group ANTaR - Mission Statement |
NEWS &
EVENTS Federal Budget Ignores Indigenous Suffering
Indigenous Australians have all but been left out of the Federal Budget, Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) said today. "Despite a $34.6 billion surplus and $21.7 billion in tax cuts, the Government could find only $42.5 million per year over 4 years for tackling the Indigenous health crisis - less than 10% of the AMA / Access Economics estimate of additional Indigenous health spending need", ANTaR National Director, David Cooper said. "Mr Costello's tenth Budget, delivered at a time of record prosperity, makes it clear that the well-being of Indigenous Australians doesn't figure in the Government's priorities*", Mr Cooper said. (*See spending comparisons below). "Spending in other critical areas, such as education, housing and employment - the social determinants of health - is similarly inadequate in comparison to need.* "We are missing an historic opportunity to tackle Indigenous disadvantage. "The effectiveness of spending also depends on the Government's ad hoc Shared Responsibility Agreements and chaotic 'whole-of-government' changes which are ideologically driven, untested and hampered by mainstream failures and deficiencies. "The shameful aspect of the Indigenous spending figures in this Budget, particularly in health, is that the Government is well aware of the level of suffering faced by Indigenous Australians, including preventable chronic health problems, entrenched socio-economic disadvantage and a 20 year gap in life expectancy. 45% of Aboriginal men die before the age of 45. "The Government's approach is also economically irresponsible, with Indigenous health costs blowing out as expensive tertiary health care increasingly substitutes for the critical lack of primary and preventive health services. "This is a shameful and discriminatory Budget", Mr Cooper concluded. Media contact: David Cooper 0418 486310, 02 95556138 ------------------------------- *2005/06 Budget selected new spending comparisons (4 year figures): · $170 million for Indigenous health (AMA estimate of need is $1.8 billion). · $138 million for non-health Indigenous spending, incl. housing, education, employment. · $34.6 billion budget surplus ($8.9 billion for 2005/06). · $21.7 billion in tax cuts. · $840 million to assist Solomon Islands with law and order. · $511 million for the war in Iraq. · $317 million for one-off lump sum payments to carers. · $239 million to enhance the investigation and language skills of intelligence agency personnel. · $170 million to encourage participation in sport and elite sport support. · $36.4 million to maintain a Business Entry Point website. See http://www.antar.org.au/ and follow link under 'Live Issues and updates' for further details on the budget. Successful AGM
The highlights of the evening were the talks given by our two special guests, Dr Dawn Casey, currently Chief Executive Officer of the WA Museum and Phil Glendenning, National President of Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation. Both speakers thanked and acknowledged ANTaR WA members and reminded us of the great importance, value and need for community groups such as ours to continue lobbying government on Indigenous rights and to continue to support Indigenous Australians in their struggle to obtain basic rights, respect and acknowledgement. WITH THE AGM OVER, PLEASE SEE IF YOU CAN GET OUT THERE AND SUPPORT ONE OR BOTH OF THE SORRY DAY EVENTS COMING UP ON MAY 26TH - SEE BELOW. Bringing Them Home Committee - Sorry Day 2005 events
Musicians Reynold Indich, Alexa Taylor & a local school band will entertain you. There will be a special dedication of a Sorry Memorial, as well as Aboriginal face painting and lunches available. It's all happening at Minniwarra Park, Orchard Rd, Armadale.
Starting on the front steps of Parliament House at 6pm Thursday 26 May. Reconciliation Groups in 2005
at 7.30pm in the Wireless Hill meeting room,Telefunken Drive, Ardross.
Meets every second Wednesday of the month at Anne & Joe Courtney's place 62 Palmerston St Northbridge Ph: 9227 5746 They are a community-based group of residents in the Town of Vincent and surrounding areas who are committed to promoting reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in their local community and beyond. They are in the process of finalising their proposed activities for this year. Go along to one of their meetings to find out more!
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