NTCOSS News Sheet June 2009
NTCOSS NEWS SHEET – June 2009
June has produced difficult times for the Henderson Government in the wake of former Deputy Chief Minister, Marion Scrymgour’s decision to resign from the ALP and sit in parliament as an independent. Meanwhile, pressure on community sector services is likely to increase as the effects of the global economic crises work through the system.
Transport
Following our May visit to Alice Springs and Tennant Creek to conduct meetings on transport issues, we will be holding a similar forum in Katherine in early July. These sessions are designed to help us to better understand the difficulties faced by Territorians living in remote locations, who need to travel long distances to regional centres for medical care and other services. The NT Government will shortly announce the name of the consultant who has been appointed to undertake a comprehensive study of regional transport issues. The outcome of this process will be a ‘Northern Territory Integrated Regional Transport Strategy.’ NTCOSS will be keen to contribute to the consultations to be conducted as a part of the strategy, and we would encourage member organisations to also become involved.
Meeting with NT Shelter, Environment Centre, and Council on the Ageing
This month representatives from NTCOSS, NT Shelter, Environment Centre and the Council on the Ageing met to discuss issues of mutual interest. On this occasion we talked about opportunities to influence the government in its planning for the new City of Weddell to ensure that considerations of access, social justice and environmental sustainability are given the prominence they deserve. We plan to hold regular meetings of this kind to explore opportunities to present a united front on issues of social importance.
Central Australia
NTCOSS Central Australian Policy Officer, Jonathan Pilbrow, has been analysing Australian Bureau of Statistics data on ‘Equivalized Household Income’ to establish some baseline data on indicators of poverty levels in the NT. While the figures compiled are not definitive, a number of trends are evident. Overall, NT households have higher income levels than the national average, but for Indigenous Territorians, the inequality is stark. Indigenous sole-person households, one-parent families, and couples with children have significantly lower income levels. This information has been fed into the NT Government’s 2030 Strategy, because NTCOSS believes it is imperative to achieve more just outcomes for Indigenous Territorians.
Media
In Alice Springs, Jonathan Pilbrow received news coverage on ABC radio for his observation that 3,000 Territorians were last year turned away by community sector organisations because they didn’t have sufficient resources to provide a service. Additionally, ABC picked up our media release calling on Minister Macklin to seek a negotiated outcome with Tangentyere Council rather than proceed with the compulsory acquisition of the town camps. Finally, Tennant Creek Women’s Refuge manager, Georgina Bracken, received significant coverage in the NT News , drawing attention to the fact that pregnant women and seriously ill patients have to walk through the streets of Tennant Creek late at night because the Greyhound bus arrives at 2AM.
Regards
Wendy Morton
NTCOSS