CPA - The Guardian

The bush is backing renegade Northern Territory Indigenous politician Marion Scrymgour. The former deputy chief minister of the Northern Territory government has rocked the balance of power in NT politics by resigning from the Labor Party over its controversial homelands policy.

In its A Working Future policy announced last month, the government decided not to fund the expansion of remote homelands, or outstations, which are home to thousands of Indigenous people.

Instead, it plans to concentrate on the development of 20 larger communities across the NT, leading to fears that people will be forced to move off their homelands to access services.

When Ms Scrymgour learnt the details of the plan she quit, criticising the government over its lack of consultation with Aboriginal Territorians.

Last month, the Full Council of the Northern Land Council backed her to the hilt, and voted unanimously to condemn the government’s new policy.

The Full Council, which consists of more than 80 Traditional Owners, said the government’s policy initiative lacked the relevant details so that Aboriginal people could make informed choices and comments about their futures.

It also said the policy failed to recognise the important health and general well-being benefits that homelands provided to Aboriginal people.

NLC Chief Executive Kim Hill said Council members were very angry when they were briefed on the strategy.

“The Full Council support Marion Scrymgour’s stand on the lack of consultation on this issue – and they want answers, not a half-baked policy,” he said.

“TOs (Traditional Owners) want to know what the details are on the service delivery arrangements for homelands; what the details are for both road and air transport links to major communities; what the details are for the ‘growth towns’, and what is to become of all the places in between – basically, their homes.”

Meanwhile, TOs in Maningrida in West Arnhem Land have also called on the NT government to review its homelands policy.

“The policy as presently drafted ignores our wishes and also the evidence that homelands are good for people,” said Jimmy Pascoe, Traditional Owner and Chairman of regional organisation, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation.

“We invite Chief Minister Paul Henderson and members of his government to see the homelands for themselves.”

Also critical of the NT government’s approach was Indigenous leader Pat Dodson, who led an NT government review of outstations last year.

Mr Dodson described the proposed policy as a “die on the vine” plan that will “slowly but surely” kill Indigenous culture.

Meanwhile, at a ceremony to celebrate the anniversary of last year’s Blue Mud Bay decision which gave TOs exclusive rights to waters overlying Aboriginal lands, celebrations turned to protest after Yununmul Munungurr, from the Lhaynapuy Homelands Association, spoke out against the outstations policy.

The ABC reported that more than a dozen people threw paper copies of the NT government’s homelands policy on a eucalyptus leaf fire. Another group that backed Ms Scrymgour was the NSW Aboriginal Land Council.

NSWALC Chairperson Bev Manton said the Tiwi Islander should be applauded for her stand.

“It is rare for an elected politician to put their principles ahead of their personal or political interests. This is clearly what Marion has decided to do,” Ms Manton said.

The Koori Mail

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