Changes to NT response a step in the right direction

Wednesday, 25 Nov 2009

Anglicare Victoria today welcomed the Federal Government decision to repeal income management measures imposed on Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory and replace them with more mainstream measures to manage welfare and family payment spending on essentials such as food and housing.

Anglicare Victoria CEO Dr Ray Cleary said the new measures showed a more reasoned and thought out strategy to improving outcomes for the most vulnerable members of the community.

“The Australian Federal Government has responded to the community’s call for consultation and has developed a road map to address issues of disadvantage that recognises the complexity of the situation and the individual needs of different communities across the Territory.”

While income management, alcohol restrictions and pornography restrictions will remain in place, Indigenous communities can apply to have the measures reduced or tailored to suit their specific needs and risks.

“Where the previous measures were draconian and paternalistic, the new road map strikes the balance between protecting children and communities while offering incentives to improve outcomes and an opportunity to remove restrictions where appropriate.”

An important aspect of the new measures will be the introduction of legislation into Parliament to repeal all Northern Territory Emergency Response laws that suspend the operation of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.

“It is impossible to move forward in a positive light while the suspension of the Racial Discrimination Act remains in place,” said Dr Cleary.

“The removal of laws that suspend the Act in combination with consideration to reduce restrictions on a case-by-case basis and the broadening ofwelfare payment management to include all vulnerable members of the community are positive steps to address inequality and extreme poverty faced by many Indigenous Australians.”

However, Dr Cleary expressed concern about the lack of outcomes achieved so far in improving health and housing outcomes for Indigenous Australians and urged the Federal Government to continue consulting with the community and working towards closing the gap of Indigenous disadvantage.

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