Intervention into the pride and integrity of Aboriginal people

Aunty Millie Ingram, who was introduced by UTS Professor of Law Larissa Behrendt, reminded the audience before the screening: “We are talking about Australia, not some foreign country – this is an invasion of our own people.”

The frank responses of those in the documentary make for thought-provoking viewing. Shane Phillips, Redfern community leader, comments that the Intervention Laws are “apartheid” instigated “under the false pretences of protecting children”.

Vincent Forrester concurred. “These laws have done more harm, other than shooting us,” he says in the film.

Others in the documentary comment on the ineffectiveness and brutality of imposing a system of laws on a set of people – and that for any system to work it needs to be devised with the inclusion of the Aboriginal people themselves. Shane Phillips commented that the laws are a bad set of rules that “takes away our identity and doesn’t deal with any of our issues”. Another person interviewed advised: “The Intervention is really an intervention into the pride and integrity of the Aboriginal people.”

Many confronting perspectives in the film are in relation to the laws restricting the consumption of alcohol, but which are viewed as doing nothing to address the reason why Aborigines drink. Walter Shaw, a young Aboriginal activist, commented that there is “no doubt that there is a problem with alcohol, but you need to look at the predispositions of people, the barriers in their life”.

One Aboriginal man commented: “I am not allowed to drink in public places but the public place is my home – the police say ‘Go home’ but how can I go home when this is my home?”

A couple of young white males, obviously drinking outside a bar, are asked their opinion on the Intervention. “Aboriginals in the Northern Territory are moving to South Australia to escape the Intervention Laws – so they can drink,” says one. When the filmmaker comments on their own drinking, they respond: “The difference is we are civilised.”

Professor Behrendt commented at the end of the screening that she was surprised to hear the rhetoric of Jenny Macklin, Minister of Indigenous Affairs, in that the Intervention was all about the children. “This is the same rhetoric of the Howard Government,” she commented. She added that many Australians would be “outraged” if they were fully aware of how the Intervention Laws were affecting those who had to abide by them.

Aunty Millie Ingram added: “You can’t dissect the Intervention; it’s got to be thrown out!”

Shane Phillips thanked all who attended and urged everyone to work together to abolish the dispossession of the Aboriginal people. As to the way forward he stated: “It is about empowerment. About belief in the pride and strength of our people and our people will survive.”

For more information about the Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney (STICS) you can contact Sarah on 0409 148 226.

Photo: The intervention is giving increased confidence to racist behaviour in Alice Springs

Source: South Sydney Herald August 2008 www.southsydneyherald.com.au