A report published by Friends of the Earth detailing high levels of sodium and other dangerous chemicals and minerals shows data outlining long-term exposure for people living in remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. The water quality data has been collated over the last 20 years by the Power and Water Corporation in the Northern Territory.

The findings of the report have been updated on the Australian Drinking Water Map and summarise levels of chemicals and minerals higher than the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines legal for safe health standards.

Long term exposure of sodium, barium and uranium have leached into bore water infrastructure over the years and are reported to impact the health and wellbeing of people including those living with chronic health issues in remote communities.
Anthony Amis Land Use Researcher from Friends of the Earth says Water Services Australia estimate $2.2 billion could ensure remote communities would have access to safe drinking water and the proposed $150 million released by the Albanese government means that communities will miss out.

The Coalition for Healthy Remotes Stores in the Northern Territory is calling for action on storeowners and retailers to be supported to improve the healthiness of retail stores in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.
The group of representatives from non-government retail, health and academic organisations are supporting the NT government on the move to develop legislation within the NT Food Act of 2004 to continue and strengthen the Remote Stores Licensing Program and move towards International best practice to create healthy stores and communities and improve food security.

Doctor Megan Ferguson from the University of Queensland Public Health faculty spoke to Kirstyn Lindsay about the Coalition for Healthy Remote Stores and their push for federal support to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Prevention of management of chronic health issues is the focus of the coalition to restrict the placement and promotion of unhealthy food in high traffic areas in stores and reduce the number of large bottles of sugary drinks displayed in fridges.

In May GetUp members and supporters handed a petition of 24,500 signatories to the federal Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek’s at her electorate office in Sydney.
The call to action focuses on the protection of Larrakia cultural heritage and to stop the Middle Arm gas hub.
Gurang Gurang First Nations Justice Campaigner Amy Gordan Gurang says GetUP supports traditional owners in the Northern Territory and the Labor government must implement federal cultural heritage legislation and stop fracking and risk to sacred sites and the water for the region.

No Benefit In The Gas Industry For Our People; Jingili Elder Samuel Janama Sandy

It’s going to affect my Grandchildren and everybody within the Beetaloo Basin

The Nurrdalinji Aboriginal Corporation is concerned that fracking will cause the industrialisation of the Beetaloo Basin and destroy what is left of their cultural heritage including sacred rock art and the water table. Jingili Elder and Deputy Chair Samuel Janama Sandy says the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority have to protect their sites from harm. He says the rights to determine the outcome of any decisions made about fracking on his people’s country need to be respected and he is calling for a regional summit with the Northern Land council and all companies involved including government to develop a process with Nurrdalinji that supports consent and consultation
Mr Sandy is saddened and very concerned on what fracking will do for the future of his grandchildren’s cultural heritage.

Photo: GetUp CEO Larissa Baldwin-Roberts

First Nations advocates supported by GetUp, Original Power and Australian Progress have been working on research over two years to deliver the Passing the Message Stick.

This framework is used for strength-based messaging that combines community led solutions to build support for First Nations self-determination and justice.
GetUp CEO Larissa Baldwin-Roberts joined Kirstyn Lindsay to discuss what messages need to be delivered on this year’s referendum not only in the media but with the campaigns for and against an enshrined voice to parliament.

This week the Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) Bill 2023 has been passed in the Senate and within six months we will see the roll out on the referendum to vote on a constitutionally enshrined voice to parliament. Larissa Baldwin-Roberts explains what information is needed for people to make an informed choice and to share that information with family and community.

“In terms of what that body looks like, candidly what those things can do also hasn’t been decided yet.’ Larissa says ‘In a way where we talk about persuasive messaging it’s not just about agreeing or disagreeing with government it’s about saying what we stand for.”

With the referendum timeline speeding up, Passing the Message stick provides solutions to the unanswered questions and detail on what really is important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people when it comes to understanding all of the outcomes of either a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ vote.
Larissa points out “In one hand Dutton’s no vote is creating enough confusion that people don’t know what they are voting for and on the other hand the Labor government isn’t telling us what is going to be the best model of representative of a democratic institution for First Nations people because they don’t know what it looks like.”
Larissa says she has a lot of empathy for community who feel they are forced to respond to something in such a short amount of time and discusses how this information can be strengthened in its delivery if there was more time.

CAAMA Radio News June 23 – 2023

Get in contact with the CAAMA newsroom: news@caama.com.au

CAAMA Radio produces two local news bulletins airing at 12pm and 5pm every weekday.

A full bulletin can also be heard online.

In this bulletin:

• Chairpersons of the four NT land councils meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to deliver the Barunga Declaration, calling for a Yes vote for Constitutional change and a Voice To Parliament;
• A panel discussion this week talked about the Federal Intervention and its 16th anniversary of the intervention this week;
• Arrernte singer-songwriter Paul AhChee releases his latest single “Morning Star”;
• The Beanie Festival has started in Alice Springs and on this weekend…the right time of the year to be wearing a beanie.

CAAMA Radio News June 22 – 2023

Get in contact with the CAAMA newsroom: news@caama.com.au

CAAMA Radio produces two local news bulletins airing at 12pm and 5pm every weekday.

A full bulletin can also be heard online.

In this bulletin:

• Aboriginal Deaths in Custody will be reported in real time under a new national system that starts this week;
• The owner of the Facebook page Action For Alice 2020 has announced he will be taking a break from the page, saying the page has taken its toll on his social and emotional wellbeing;
• Alice Springs traditional owner group Lhere Artepe is calling on local community groups to come up with some justice re-investment ideas;
• Cairns puts its hand up for 20th AFL licence in competition with the NT licence bid.

CAAMA Radio News June 20 – 2023

Get in contact with the CAAMA newsroom: news@caama.com.au

CAAMA Radio produces two local news bulletins airing at 12pm and 5pm every weekday.

A full bulletin can also be heard online.

In this bulletin:

• The Blak Sovereignty Movement held a press conference, led by Independent Victorian Senator LIDIA THORPE, where they’ve declared they will say No to the Voice to Parliament. There is three major groups pushing for the Australian vote later this year at the referendum…the Yes campaign, pushed by the Federal Government…the No campaign consisting of the majority of conservative politicians opposing the ALP…and the Blak Sovereign Movement, voting No, pushing for Sovereignty and Treaty before Constitutional Change and the Voice To Parliament;
• A motion has passed the Senate yesterday afternoon that the Voice To Parliament and Constitutional Change will not impact First Nations peoples sovereignty.
• Tomorrow is the 16th anniversary of the Federal Intervention in the Northern Territory. In 2007 leading in the Federal Election, former Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD launched the Federal intervention, seen by many as a stunt to win the Federal election.