Self-Help vs Intervention? Alice Springs Gathering 6-9 July

So-o-o-o many people, intelligent, well-informed, well-meaning people – across all sectors – have been saying for a long time now that ‘one size does NOT fit all’ and certainly does not fit all Indigenous Communities.

With the schools economic stimulus program we have seen the enforcement of – in my opinion – an outmoded approach to democracy. In relation to this I have read that the ANAO (Australian National Audit Office) acknowledges that prescriptive rules are NOT the major thrust of policy in today’s era of partnerships to achieve agreed outcomes:

“In straining to treat all schools fairly via standardised contracts, guidelines and decisions, DEEWR (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations) erred on the side of imposing a one-size-fits-all approach; it led to undue, time-consuming complications. This is against the spirit of devolution in the era of national partnerships, the ANAO found, where the thrust of policy has been “to reduce prescriptive rules on how services are delivered through a focus on mutually agreed outputs and outcomes.”

Australians Want To End The Disadvantages That First Australians Endure

It’s not hard to agree outcomes – but the implementation should not be solely up to the ‘Aboriginal Industry’ as I have heard a dedicated Indigenous leader call the Indigenous Affairs network of bureaucrats and consultants.

It should INCLUDE local communities who are GUIDED in new ways to efficiently use taxpayer funds. They, and they alone, truly know what is needed in THEIR community!

Gathering To Assess Intervention And Future Direction

In Alice Springs from 6 to 9 July, starting at 10.00am, there will be an Indigenous and Non-Indigenous gathering. All people from all cultural backgrounds are invited to join hands and promote justice and human rights for all – and abolition of the intervention.

Please click on image for full details.

For More Info

Please contact Richard Downs
E Richard.downs12@g.mail.com
T 0428 611 169