Kooris Step Forward

When it comes to positive developments in indigenous affairs, the media’s silence is pathetic. Whilst there is a groundswell of hope and appetite for change amongst indigenous peoples and governments alike, the media just won’t acknowledge the fact. Consider this list of 17 indigenous media releases for the month of December, 2005.

Yet did we hear of these ? Apart from the indigenous site, Message Stick of ABC online and their weekly Sunday night half hour radio spot, Speaking Out, one could be forgiven for thinking there is nothing going on in indigenous affairs. Well, there is plenty going on, especially in the area of Shared Responsibility Agreements.

Shared Responsibility Agreements (SRA) based on mutual obligation, are just one of the tools the Government has for working with indigenous communities. And they are making these agreements in ever increasing numbers. As of 24 November 2005, 121 SRAs had been signed with 98 indigenous communities around Australia.

So far the Federal Government, States and Terrorities and communities have been entering mainly into simple, single-issue SRAs that are meaningful to communities and show what SRAs can achieve. Over time SRAs will become more comprehensive, building towards a community’s long-term vision for the future.

So yes, there are positive developments happening in indigenous affairs, as with SRA's. Let’s have a look at one of these programs in my state of New South Wales. The central west town of Dubbo has been in the news this week for all the wrong reasons. Despite this, things are moving in the right direction concerning it’s indigenous youth : 

• The Dubbo Aboriginal community want to improve the lives of their young people by getting them involved in sporting, recreation and other community activities.
• In response to this need, all levels of government, sporting associations and the corporate sector are working with the community to implement a comprehensive Aboriginal Youth Strategy.
• This strategy forms the basis for an SRA developed in partnership with the Dubbo Aboriginal Working Party. The SRA will improve sporting and recreational facilities, build the community’s capacity to participate, and support a wide range of activities.
• The Aboriginal community will be active partners in the strategy. Community members will manage the facilities, including making sure the oval is locked/unlocked at the appropriate times, coordinating security to protect the oval against vandalism, and ensuring equipment is maintained and accounted for. They will also organise community fund-raising activities.
• Parents will support their children’s involvement in sporting teams by providing transport, maintaining equipment, and doing training to become sporting officials, coaches and club administrators. They will also make sure their children obtain and wear appropriate sporting clothing, abide by sporting competition rules, and help to support the coaches in their roles.
• The Australian Government will help to upgrade facilities, and employ activity coordinators, coaches and administrators. Where necessary, the Government will subsidise participation costs for children from low income families.
• The New South Wales Government will provide funds for equipment and programs. Dubbo Council and the corporate sector will get involved by helping to upgrade the West Dubbo Oval.
• Local, State and national sporting associations will help with skills training and accreditation through Sports Development Officers.

Kempsey was another town on televsion last night concerning wanton violence and vandalism by indigenous youth. The town has been virtually lawless and depressed for too long. Yet their indigenous community is yet to sign an SRA. The sooner the better, I say. Check the Aussie map or look up your state to see which local communities are entering agreements and the issues involved.

Finally it's worth recalling Paul Kelly's hit tune, From little things, big things grow. A wonderful ballad just as applicable today as it was to the era which inspired it.

Comments

[Flashman]

Don't forget that SBS's weekly program Living Black covers many of these issues in detail. This week's program has some good comments about the Beagle Bay SRA.

'Mutual responsibility' is still a hotly-contested topic within the indigenous community, but the good news is that it does seem to be lifting some people out of their previous poverty. The long term effects? Some people hint that SRAs may lead to a reconsideration of whether every community is a viable one, and out of that may come some tough choices.

(Disclosure: I'm employed full-time by SBS.)

[adrian]

Flashman, not being an SBS viewer, due to dodgy reception, I was unaware of these programs. So thanks for the tip, it's gotta be good new for Kooris.

As with the ABC though, one can be forgiven for being a little circumspect on the type of media coverage Kooris receive. There is a noticeable air of scepticism with much of the ABC's Koori coverage and I suspect the same applies with SBS to some degree.

Understandable given the radical reform initiatives undertaken by the Howard Government on indigenous affairs. Initiatives which don’t necessarily square with the prevailing ideological beliefs of the organisations. Hopefully though, both the ABC and SBS will give credit to these Government programs when it is warranted.

That a debate is ensuing regarding the viability of some remote indigenous communities is a good thing. I've long believed that tough choices must be made which favour the future generations of indigenous. Sad but true.

[ken nielsen]

Nice story - well said. trouble is, the "story" for the media is bad news, so good news is rare. Progress happens through many experiments, some fail, some succeed.
We sholud hear of both.
I think SBS does the best job of reporting Koori stories.