The Australian Nursing Federation Expresses Alarm At Federal Government Legislation Dealing With Indigenous Child Sexual Abuse

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 09 Aug 2007 - 2:00 PDT

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The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) is deeply concerned about the Howard Government's approach to the issues of child sexual abuse in the Northern Territory, expressing alarm at the speed at which legislation has been developed and the lack of consultation from affected communities.

"While the ANF welcomes action to deal with Indigenous sexual abuse, it is deeply concerned about the impact of legislation that fails to take into account the recommendations of health and Indigenous affairs organisations", ANF federal secretary Jill Iliffe said.

"We have been appealing to the federal government to address serious disadvantage in Indigenous communities for many years. After 11 years of neglect the ANF questions the federal government's haste in rushing through legislation that appears to ignore key recommendations in the 'Little Children are Sacred' report."

At the time of the federal budget Access Economics indicated that $450 million was required to meet the primary health needs of Indigenous children nationally. This was rejected by the federal government despite a large budget surplus with only $30 million allocated to address Aboriginal issues.

"The $587 million it will cost to implement the proposed legislation in the Northern Territory could be better allocated to grass roots initiatives to improve Indigenous health and wellbeing", Ms Iliffe said.

Under the legislation, the federal government will take control of many of the welfare and land rights of Indigenous Australians, undermining their independence and ignoring their input into a collaborative solution.

"It has been demonstrated, both nationally and internationally, that Indigenous communities and governments working together can successfully deal with social and health issues without government intervention on land ownership," Ms Iliffe said.

The ANF is urging the Howard government not to rush through such radical legislation and to take the time to consult with and listen to the Indigenous people who will be affected by it.

For further information please go to: http://www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice/statistics/index.html

The ANF, representing 150,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses and midwives in Australia

Australian Nursing Federation

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