New approach urgently needed to overcome Indigenous disadvantage
3 July 2009, 04:44PM
Amnesty International is urging federal and state governments to take urgent action to address issues set out in a new report examining the bleak social and economic prospects faced by Indigenous people in Australia.
Amnesty International believes that a completely new approach is required in tackling the problems, one with human rights at its core. Solutions must also be based on solid evidence about the causes of, and potential remedies for, the widening gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
The Productivity Commission’s latest report, Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage, measured 50 indicators of well-being for Indigenous people, including six areas specifically targeted for improvement by federal and state governments since 2007. It found no significant improvements in any of those and, in some cases, an alarming deterioration.
The report outlines the social and economic outcomes that must improve in order for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to enjoy the same opportunities and standard of living as other Australians.
“This latest report shows clearly that we’re not making progress overall,” said Amnesty International’s Indigenous Rights Coordinator Rodney Dillon, “In fact, in some cases we’re actually going backwards. It’s time to re-think the approach. We need to put human rights at the centre of all Indigenous policies and programs.”
The Productivity Commission’s report notes that factors which lead to successful program outcomes include wide consultation, community involvement in program design, good governance, and ongoing government support. Amnesty International believes that these basic principles are sorely lacking in the current approach by governments to Indigenous policy and programs, contributing to major failures.
This year, Amnesty International has presented the UN with detailed reports setting out its concerns about Australia’s failure to comply with some of its obligations under both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
In early March, the organisation told the UN Human Rights Committee that adopting the principles set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples would help Australia in its attempts to bridge the gap between the enjoyment of human rights by Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Amnesty International welcomed news later that month that the Australian Government had made good on its election commitment to officially support that UN Declaration.
The Declaration reaffirms the rights of all Indigenous peoples, including rights to security, consultation, participation in decision-making and freedom from discrimination, both as a collective and as individuals.
“Adopting the principles set out in UN Declaration is a good place to start,” said Rodney Dillon.
“In the last 18 months the Rudd Government has made a number of symbolic gestures, saying ‘Sorry’ to stolen generations, supporting the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and making commitments to close the gap. But gestures are not enough. It’s time for governments to put words into practice and fulfil the human rights of all Australians.”
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Comments
Comments are submitted by members of the public and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Amnesty International Australia. If you find a comment objectionable please contact the web editor.
JOEK
9 July 2009, 11:15AM
Action is required to fulfill our obligations to those most in need in this country. Not just seen to be trying, but doing some thing positive change these peoples lives for the better. Money spent now can save millions in the future.
LESLIE LEE
7 July 2009, 11:10PM
UNTIL, THE CURRICULUM IN THIS COUNTRY IS FOCUSED ON A BALANCE BETWEEN ECONOMY AND SOCIALISM,IT WILL NEVER WORK DUE TO THE FACT ,WE TEACH OUR KIDS ABOUT BEING BETTER THAN OTHERS, BY SETTING STANDARDS THAT ARE BASED ON NUMBERS RATHER THAN THEIR “BEING”.
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