Category Archives: The NT Intervention

How Canberra keeps the NT’s “rivers of grog” flowing

November 3, 2009 – 10:54 am

in ordinary circumstances under the previous regime, Ms Nudjulu would have been a prime candidate for a custodial sentence. She had previous convictions for possession of alcohol contrary to the Liquor Act – and was currently subject to a suspended sentence.

By Bob Gosford | Also posted in Australian politics, Crime, NT Police, Northern Territory politics, The Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (4)

The Weekend Australian, Nicolas Rothwell, and the art of fantastic journalism

October 5, 2009 – 10:58 am

What Rothwell is of course talking about here is localised Aboriginal self-determination, an aspiration that he has frequently condemned to the dustbin of Australian political history: “For some time it has been clear Aboriginal self-determination has had its day.”

By Bob Gosford | Also posted in Australian politics, NT local government, Northern Territory politics, Northern development, Some places I've been, The Law, The Northern Myth, Writing and writers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (11)

What is a homeland? One White insider’s view – a guest post from John Greatorex

September 8, 2009 – 11:26 am

What is it that is so important and special about homelands for their traditional custodians and that underpins the successful outcomes of living in their small communities?

By Bob Gosford | Also posted in Art, NT local government, Northern Territory politics, Some places I've been, The Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (7)

From Ampilatwatja to Warren Mundine: focus on the big picture!

September 3, 2009 – 10:36 am

Late last week Warren Mundine, billed as an “Aboriginal leader”, gave Samantha Hawley of the ABC Radio’s PM program his views of the report by UN’s Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Human Rights, Professor James Anaya and his findings that give a damning assessment of the Federal Government’s Intervention in the Northern Territory.
Mundine didn’t hold back [...]

By Bob Gosford | Also posted in Australian politics, Northern Territory politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (5)

The Ampilatwatja Walkoff and the “wake-up call” for Alison Anderson – an interview with Richard Downs

August 31, 2009 – 4:31 pm

Macklin should resign as Minister – she has no results to show us, she doesn’t – or doesn’t know how to – listen or talk to Aboriginal people – she should go, and the sooner the better: Richard Downs, Alyawarra leader

By Bob Gosford | Also posted in Australian politics, Northern Territory politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (4)

Alison Anderson HAS finally seen the light, gone bush and joined with the “anti-interventionistas”!!

August 28, 2009 – 3:54 pm

In the weird world that passes for NT politics right now surprises are coming thick and fast. And just maybe Alison Anderson has taken the trenchant criticisms from her constituents at Ampilatwatja to heart.

By Bob Gosford | Also posted in Australian politics, Northern Territory politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (2)

A new NT Government by Friday — the fix is in

August 10, 2009 – 9:06 pm

Henderson has held on by the skin of his teeth for a couple of months — but that all went very pear-shaped when ex-Minister Alison Anderson spat the dummy and left Labor in high, and very curious, dudgeon last week.

By Bob Gosford | Also posted in Australian politics, Northern Territory politics | Tagged , , , | Comments (3)

Branding the blacks – a “community of thieves” and the tyranny of terminology

July 7, 2009 – 3:14 pm

Until we give back to the black man just a bit of land that was his and give it back without provisos, without strings to snatch it back, without anything but complete generosity of spirit in concession for the evil we have done him – until we do that, we shall remain what we have always been so far: a community of thieves – Xavier Herbert, Poor Fellow My Country.

By Bob Gosford | Also posted in Australian politics, Northern Territory politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (55)

Miliwanga Sandy Interview Part 2: “This is our country…and we shouldn’t be treated like slaves!”

June 25, 2009 – 9:36 pm

We’ve lived here longer than anyone – this is our country and we should have the same freedoms, rights as anyone else. Why should we be treated any different from anyone else just because of the colour of our skin and where we live?

By Bob Gosford | Also posted in Australian politics, The Law | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)

Miliwanga Sandy – language is our culture, our life, our identity

June 25, 2009 – 7:48 am

That policy of speaking English only at school is the wrong thing – it is not good for our children, because if they put, if the children are only taught in English – they will forget their language, and they will lose their identity. They won’t know who they are.

By Bob Gosford | Also posted in Australian politics, Northern Territory politics | Tagged , , , , | Comments (5)