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draft executive resolution
25th March 2015
Forced Closure
Communities
of
Aboriginal
The union movement unequivocally condemns any move by the Abbott and
Barnett governments to force the closure of Aboriginal communities in Western
Australia.
Tony Abbott’s insensitive and uneducated comments regarding Australia’s inability
to fund the “lifestyle”choices of Aboriginal peoples living on their remote
homelands again demonstrates his disconnection from the Aboriginal communities
he purports to represent as the self appointed Prime Minister for Indigenous
Affairs.
The union movement notes that the Prime Minister’s position reflects capitalisation
and the sectional interests of corporate miners such as Reinhart and Forrest.
The union movement supports, and will defend, the right of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples to live on traditional lands and continue their cultural
connection which is an invaluable part of Australia’s identity as a nation.
The ACTU Executive calls on the Abbott government to restore funding which
supports municipal services in Aboriginal communities.
The ACTU Executive calls on the Barnett government to stop the political funding
games and work with Aboriginal communities to maintain their connection to
traditional lands.
Furthermore we condemn the federal government’s cuts to Aboriginal legal
services which will exasperate the unacceptably high protion of Indigenous
peoples incarceration.
The union movement is proud of our history of standing shoulder to shoulder with
Aborigial and Torres Strait Islander people and communities in the struggle for civil
rights and we remain committed to the values of self-determination, equality and
fairness for all Australians.
The ACTU Executive endorses continuing support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander communities and organisations being attacked by funding cuts from
federal and state governments and will show this support by:
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Speaking publicly about union support where practicable
Writing to the Prime Minister to express concern over funding cuts and the
impact they will have on communities and organisations
Publicly promoting campaigns driven by Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander communities and organisations which highlight these issues.
Promoting the #savetheALS campaign to members.
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