ACSJC BRIEFING
No. 78 - April 2007
From the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, the social justice
and human rights agency of the Catholic Church in Australia - www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au
If you cannot read the email version, go to: http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au/briefing
IN THIS ISSUE
- From the Secretariat
- Current Issues/Resources
- Latest Publications
- April Notices
- March News Monitor
- April Social Justice Calendar
Dear Friends,
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Prayer for Reconciliation commences on 20 May and concludes 27 May, the 40th Anniversary of the 1967 referendum.
The work for national reconciliation and
for dignity and justice for our Indigenous sisters and brothers continues. It
has been supported greatly by the Statement of the Australian Catholic Bishops’
Conference for Social Justice Sunday last September and by the momentous Dreaming
from the Heart celebrations in Alice Springs, which occurred a month
later.
The Bishops echoed the call of Pope John
Paul II for governments and all people “to pursue with still greater energy
programs to improve the conditions and the standard of living of indigenous
groups in the vital areas of health, education, employment and housing”. The
Bishops spoke to all people when they said, “the challenge is now ours to move
closer to achieving a new reconciliation” (refer: http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au)
In his letter to Cardinal Cassidy on the
twentieth anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Alice Springs, the Holy
Father Pope Benedict made a direct plea to the Australian community:
'Much has been achieved along the path of
racial reconciliation yet there is still much to be accomplished. No one can
exempt themself from this process. While no culture may use past hurt as an
excuse to avoid facing the difficulties in meeting the contemporary social
needs of its own people, it is also the case that only through the readiness to
accept historical truth can a sound understanding of contemporary reality be
reached and the vision of a harmonious future espoused. I therefore again
encourage all Australians to address with compassion and determination the deep
underlying causes of the plight which still afflicts so many Aboriginal
citizens. Commitment to truth opens the way to lasting reconciliation through
the healing process of asking for forgiveness and granting forgiveness
- two indispensable elements for peace.' (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/letters/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_let_20060922_card-cassidy_en.html)
It is with these words in mind that we can
consider the following important matters:
Developments concerning 'Stolen Wages'
Last December, a Senate Legal and Constitutional
Committee Inquiry into Stolen Wages handed down its report, titled Unfinished
Business: Indigenous stolen wages. The Inquiry concerned the practice of
withholding part or all of the wages of Indigenous people who worked for or
under the control of federal and at least some state governments during the
19th and 20th centuries. The report can be accessed at http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/legcon_ctte/stolen_wages/report/index.htm.
The Committee’s basic recommendation was
that the issue of stolen wages must be resolved justly and promptly. Many
potential claimants are old or ill. Further research and consultation are
needed, but by themselves will not resolve the stolen wages issue.
The committee recommends that all
governments that have a liability should, after consultation with the relevant
Indigenous people, set up adequate compensation arrangements. Where records are
incomplete, compensation schemes should allow claims based on oral and other
evidence. In addition, an important part of redressing the stolen wages issue
is the opportunity for Indigenous people to tell their stories, ‘so that the
wider community becomes aware of this part of Australian history’.
The committee believes a case can be made
that governments are legally responsible for repayment or compensation to those
who suffered under these regimes, and in fact several such cases have been
mounted. However, litigation is not the best solution: it is not in the best
interests of governments or claimants, and compensation would probably not be
available to people whose records have been lost or destroyed.
Governments must take initiative: there is
enough evidence to justify their conducting preliminary research to determine
whether there are issues to be addressed and how to address them.
Many Indigenous people apparently still do
not know that they have been denied wages and welfare entitlements. The
committee also believes that the federal and state governments have a
responsibility allow people access to archives to research this issue and
should fund an education and awareness campaign in relation to this matter.
For further information and to stay up to
date on this important issue, visit: http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/library/subject_guides__bibliographies/stolen_wages;
http://antarqld.org.au/05_involved/facts.html;
http://www.acsjc.org.au/content/publications/positionpapers/2006_1_23stolen_wages_-_an_opportunity_for_justice.html
“40 Days of Action for 40 Years of Inaction”
As part of its ‘Make Indigenous Poverty
History’ campaign, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Ecumenical Commission (NATSIEC) of the National Council of Churches has
launched its '40 Days of Action' campaign, which is related to the forthcoming
anniversary of the 1967 referendum (celebrated on Pentecost
Sunday). NATSIEC's campaign material says:
'40 years ago, in 1967, 90.77 % of the
Australian population voted in a referendum which finally made Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people citizens of their own country. The referendum,
which amended the Constitution, allowed the Federal Government to make national
laws in relation to Aboriginal people; previously laws were only made by the
States. In addition, Aborigines were counted in the census, which also gave
them citizenship rights such as the vote and freedom of movement.
'40 years later we can see there have been
many changes and achievements for Indigenous people, but sadly the condition
that many Aboriginals still live in is not something to celebrate. Life
expectancy is 17 years less than other citizens of Australia; traditional
lands, languages and cultural practices remain under threat and Indigenous
participation in areas such as education and the labour force remain lower than
for other Australians.
'40 years ago the nation united and stood
up for Aborigines; nothing less than that level of commitment today will end
Indigenous Poverty. Join us and take 40 days of action for 40 years of inaction
and help to Make Indigenous Poverty History today.'
Further information about this important
campaign is available at: http://www.ncca.org.au/natsiec/indigenous_poverty/action/40_days_of_action
This webpage lists the days of action and
provides action sheets that can be downloaded for each of the days
listed.
Indigenous Health – Contacting
Politicians and ‘Close the Gap’ pledge
Oxfam is coordinating two campaigns
calling for action on Indigenous health. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples suffer a much higher incidence of most chronic diseases, including
kidney and heart disease, and die on average 17 years younger than other
Australians. ‘Yet Indigenous Australians receive less per person in government
health funding than non-Indigenous Australians,’ Oxfam says.
Oxfam’s first campaign is a message to the
federal ALP leadership, who this month will be debating party policy for the
upcoming election. Oxfam is urging people to strengthen the voice of Indigenous
Australia by sending a message to the ALP leadership. To join the campaign, go
to http://www.oxfam.org.au/campaigns/indigenous/write_to_alp_letter.php.
Oxfam is also running the ‘Close the Gap’
campaign, collecting signatures demanding Indigenous health equality within a
generation. The call is for Australian governments to take action to achieve
health equality for Indigenous Australians within 25 years through: increasing
annual Indigenous health funding by $450 million; increasing Indigenous
involvement in the delivery of health services; and addressing critical social
issues such as housing, education and self-determination. Further information
can be found at: http://www.oxfam.org.au/campaigns/indigenous/action.php.
The ACSJC and Secretariat wish you
the blessings of Holy Week and the joy, peace and new life of Easter.
John Ferguson
National Executive Officer
*****
BISHOP SAUNDERS CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE OF DAVID HICKS
The Chairman of the ACSJC, Bishop
Christopher Saunders, called for the immediate release of Australian Guantanamo
detainee David Hicks, even though Mr Hicks has pleaded guilty to one charge of providing
material support for terrorism. ‘David Hicks has been detained for more than
five years, including long periods of solitary confinement. Only one charge has
now been brought against Mr Hicks, and there are grave concerns as to its
legality and that of the military commission process. The length and severity
of his detention, and his dignity as a human being, make it imperative to end
his detention now,’ Bishop Saunders said.
The full text of Bishop Saunders’s
statement is available at: http://www.acsjc.org.au/content/media_releases/2007_03_27_1174992371.html.
The Statement of the Australian Catholic
Bishops on 12 January 2007 can be found at: http://www.acbc.catholic.org.au/bishops/confpres/200612011203.htm
'LEGAL MUDDLING' - FR
FRANK BRENNAN ON THE PACIFIC SOLUTION
Fr
Frank Brennan SJ says in a recent article: ‘Kevin Andrews, the new Minister for
Immigration, has sounded muddled in his statements defending the government’s
decision to send 83 Sri Lankan asylum seekers to Nauru for processing. It is
not all his fault. Even when he gets up to speed in the portfolio, there will
still be much confusing complexity.’ The ‘Pacific solution’ is now incoherent,
Fr Brennan says: ‘The morphed, useless, expensive and discredited Pacific
Solution now amounts to a policy aimed at keeping lawyers away from asylum seekers
and immunising public servants from scrutiny by courts and tribunals.’ The full
text of his article is at http://www.cathnews.com/news/703/doc/30brennan.html.
INDIGENOUS HEALTH: A NEW BOOK
Allen and Unwin have just published
‘Social Determinants of Indigenous Health’, edited by Bronwyn Carson, Terry
Dunbar, Richard D. Chenhall and Ross Bailie. The publishers describe it as ‘A
systematic overview of the impact of social and political factors on the health
of Australia’s Indigenous population. Australia’s Aboriginal and Islander
groups suffer Fourth World standards of health: this book explains the causes
for such poor health outcomes and approaches behind health programs which have been
successful.’ The book’s recommended retail price is $49.95; its ISBN is
9781741751420.
For more information, go to http://www.allenandunwin.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?ISBN=9781741751420.
A review of the book is at http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=5643.
REFUGEE COUNCIL BLASTS DENIAL OF LEGAL HELP TO SRI LANKANS
In a media release on 28 March, the
Refugee Council of Australia said ‘The Australian Government’s failure to
provide Sri Lankan asylum seekers on Nauru with access to adequate legal
assistance could result in a breach of the Refugees Convention.’ Council
president John Gibson said the denial of legal assistance would increase the
chance of people being returned to danger. The council points out that last
year, the Government was prepared to provide to those being processed on Nauru
similar support to that available to protection visa applicants in detention in
Australia ‘There is no reason whatsoever that this should not be provided now,
particularly because of the strong prima facie nature of the claims of
these young Sri Lankan asylum applicants,’ Mr Gibson said. The Council’s
website is http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/.
PETITION REGARDING CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Mons. John Murphy of the Australian
Catholic and Migrant Refugee Office is forwarding on a petition to federal
parliamentarians calling for a stop to the construction of the Christmas Island
Detention Centre. Signed forms can be sent to ACMRO at GPO Box 2720
Canberra ACT 2601 or directly to Refugee Action Collective Victoria, PO Box
578, Carlton South, Vic 3053 by May 31, 2007. ACMRO’s website is www.acmro.catholic.org.au.
The petition can be downloaded at http://www.rac-vic.org/downloads/xmas-isl-dc-petition.pdf.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND MENTAL HEALTH: EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
S A V E – Australia Inc in association
with Melbourne Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office and other organisations will
host the Fifth National Conference on Human Rights and Mental Health on Monday
25th and Tuesday 26th June 2007 in Melbourne. They are inviting interested
organisations, groups, communities and individuals to send their expression of
interest, either to join as a co-host, be a presenter, submit a paper, be a
member of the organising committee or be a volunteer for the event. Expressions
of Interest should be limited to one page outlining your suitability for the
role and sent either by email to director@save.org.au or by mail to PO Box 20622 World
Square 2002 on or before 23rd March 2007. For more information contact 0411 485
442 or 0412 013 053 or email gemma.hogan@save.org.au or alison.wilson@save.org.au.
POSITION VACANT – TRADE JUSTICE CAMPAIGNER
The Australian Fair Trade and Investment
Network (AFTINET) seeks a campaigner to job share with the current campaigner
for 2 days a week, conducting community education and advocacy about the social
impact of trade agreements in Australia. The work will include assessing the
impacts of the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement, and community education about
proposed Free Trade Agreements with China and other countries, including APEC.
The AFTINET website is www.aftinet.org.au.
The full-time salary is $43,992 per year plus superannuation, paid on a
pro-rata basis for two days per week.
For more information, contact Suzette
Clark on 0419 695 841. Applications must address the selection criteria and
must be delivered in hard copy or faxed by close of business on Wednesday,
April 4. Email will not be accepted. Applications must be marked confidential
and addressed to AFTINET Convenor, Level 3, 110 Kippax St, Surry Hills 2010,
fax 02 9211 1407.
POVERTY STUDY – ‘DROPPING OFF THE EDGE’
Extreme social disadvantage in Australia
is real and measurable. It is endemic to a small number of locations in this
country, and it can be fixed, according to major new research to be released on
Wednesday. ‘Dropping off the Edge: the distribution of disadvantage in Australia’
is the most comprehensive national study of its kind. The report, which is a
joint project with Jesuit Social Services and Catholic Social Services
Australia, is the third in a series of reports on the issue, written by
Professor Tony Vinson from the University of Sydney. The report finds that just
1.7 per cent of postcodes and communities across Australia account for more
than seven times their share of top rank positions on the major factors that
cause intergenerational poverty. Maps and more information about how to order
this publication are available at http://www.australiandisadvantage.org.au
CAMPAIGN – ‘MAKE INDIGENOUS POVERTY HISTORY’
The Make Indigenous Poverty History Campaign
continues in 2007 with 40 Days of Action for 40 Years of Inaction. To see how
you can be involved in this campaign of the National Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission, and to obtain a wide range of resources,
go to http://www.ncca.org.au/natsiec/indigenouspoverty
EDUCATION MODULE – ‘VOICES OF AUSTRALIA’
An educational tool to help combat racism
and promote a culture of respect and equality among high school students around
Australia has been launched by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity
Commission (HREOC). The resource provides an invaluable tool to help students
reap the rewards of living in a community where a quarter of the population has
at least one parent born in another country. Copies of the module can be found
at: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/education/voices
AMNESTY CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY
Amnesty International is part of the
growing campaign for a world without executions. The death penalty violates one
of the fundamental human rights – the right to life itself. To take a part in
opposing the use of the death penalty, anywhere, for any reason, visit the
Amnesty webpage on this campaign. Resources and helpful advice for action: http://www.amnesty.org.au/Act_now/campaigns/adp
DISCUSSION BOARD ON THE DEATH PENALTY
A discussion board exists for discussion
of issues relating to the death penalty. The organisers say that ‘anti’ and
‘pro’ stances are welcome, and they debate the death penalty in the USA and
world wide. The board is at http://deathpenalty3.proboards103.com/index.cgi.
REPORT ON ORGAN HARVESTING
The Coalition to Investigate the
Persecution of Falun Gong (CIPFG) has called on federal Australian government
and state governments to ban transplant tourism to China. The call was made in
the context of a revised version of a report by Matas/Kilgour, which addresses
the allegation that organs are harvested from Falun Gong practitioners who were
killed in the process. The initial report was released July 6, 2006. The
Revised Report into Allegations of Organ Harvesting maintains that it is true.
For further information, visit: http://www.erc.org.au/index.php?module=announce&ANN_user_op=view&ANN_id=39
or www.organharvestinvestigation.net.
*****
(orders
Tel: 02 9956 5811 or download an order form from the ACSJC website:
http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au/CONTENT/PDF/TEMPLATE-ORDERFORM.pdf)
DISCUSSION GUIDE – WORLD DAY OF PEACE
MESSAGE 2007
On 1 January, the Holy Father delivered
his World Day of Peace message. The theme of his message is The Human
Person, The Heart of Peace. The ACSJC discussion
guide consists of a brief overview of the Pope’s message, some points for
reflection and prayer. A helpful resource for group and
classroom discussion. Download at: http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au
ORDER NOW! 2007 SOCIAL JUSTICE DIARY
The 2007 Diary focuses on the theme of
globalisation. It includes the dates of significant events, anniversaries and
special days which celebrate particular aspects of social justice and highlight
the theme, and provides a social justice program for the full year. Information
and ideas for prayer and reflection are included. This is an essential resource
for teachers and parishes. Cost: $6.60 (inc. GST), plus postage. To download an
order form, go to: http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au/content/publications/social_justice_calendar.html.
SERIES PAPER: CHOICE FOR WHOM? A DISCUSSION OF THE 2005 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
LAWS
Catholic Social Justice Series No 58. At a
time when Australia’s industrial relations laws are undergoing radical change,
Dr Tim Battin offers an analysis of the theory underpinning the 2005 industrial
relations legislation, and measures that rationale against the precepts of
Catholic social teaching. In addition to considering the legislation’s moral
implications, Dr Battin discusses some of its likely practical and social
effects.
2006 SOCIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY STATEMENT
This year's Australian Catholic Bishops
Conference Social Justice Sunday Statement is entitled ‘The Heart of Our
Country - dignity and justice for our Indigenous sisters and brothers’. An
order form for the Statement is available on the ACSJC website plus an
electronic copy for download: http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au.
For associated resources visit the ACSJC website or call (02) 9956 581.
SERIES PAPER: CATHOLICS AND NATURE: TWO HUNDRED YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL
ATTITUDES IN AUSTRALIA
Catholic Social Justice Series No 57.
Concern for the environment has played a significant role in the Catholic
Church in Australia since the 19th century. Fr Charles Rue SSC traces the
development of environmental thought in Australian Catholicism.
($6.60 a copy, plus
postage. Postage rates for
Catholic Social Justice Series Papers: 1 copy $1; 2-3 copies $1.45; 4-5 copies
$2.45)
*****
1 APRIL. PALM SUNDAY RALLY AND MARCH
FOR PEACE (ALL STATES).
Information is available on rallies and
marches in all the cities below at http://www.nuclearfoolsday.org/.
Adelaide: 1.00pm, Tardanyangga/Victoria Square, Adelaide.
Information: http://www.nuclearfoolsday.org/adelaide.
Alice Springs: Uniting Church lawns, Todd Mall. Information: (04)
3882 1491. Information: http://www.nuclearfoolsday.org/alice-springs.
Brisbane: Queens Park, cnr Elizabeth and George Sts., Brisbane, 11.00 a.m. For details, contact (07) 3855 9497 or jshears@powerup.com.au
.- courtesy Church Resources' CathNews, stories
in detail at http://www.cathnews.com/news/703