Aboriginal Law Bulletin --- "News: Employment and Training Programs Review; Peko Wallsend Case; Discriminatory Queensland Laws" [1985] AboriginalLawB 19; (1985) 1(13) Aboriginal Law Bulletin 7

• News
• Employment And Training Programs Review
• Peko Wallsend Case
• Discriminatory Queensland Laws

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News

Employment and Training Programs Review

In an attempt to reduce the 'deplorable level of unemployment among Aboriginal people' the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Mr Ralph Willis, and Mr Clyde Holding, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs have established a Committee of Review of Federal Aboriginal Employment and Training Programs.

Although the Committee is supposed to be reporting in May 1985, it is still willing to accept submissions. The committee is chaired by Mr Mick Miller of Cairns, Queensland, Deputy Chair of the Aboriginal Development Commission.

Submissions and furtherenquides should be directed to:

Mr T. Gibson Secretary
Review of Aboriginal Employment and Training Programs
GPO Box 28177 AA Melbourne Vic 3001
Telephone: [phone]

Peko Wallsend Case

In mld-Febr orytheFederalMinisterforAboriginal Affairs, Clyde Holding, was ordered by a full bench of theFederal Court to review decision to grant a claim on Northern Territory land covering a rich uranium deposit.

The majority decision by Sir Nigel Bowen and Mr Justice Shephard found for Peko Wallsend. MrJuslice Wilcox dissented. The majority decision overturns that of Mr Justice Beaumont of the Federal Court, who found against the mining company In April 1984.

The land in dispute is south east of Darwin, in the Alligator Rivers region and is claimed by file Northern Land Council.

Clyde Holding's department recently announced that it had obtained special leave to appeal to the High Court.

Discriminatory Queensland Laws

The Human rights commission has released a report on the Queensland Community Services (Aborigines)Act which had replaced the former Aborigines Act last year. The findings according to a newspaper report (The Australian, 29/3/85, p.6) believe the new law is discriminatory and contravenes human rights conventions.

The Commission has recommended the Federal government override the state laws unless the Bjelke govemment consents to amend them. Following the history of that government it is unlikely Bjelke will amend the Act and will take the opportunity to pretend state rights as they did over the Aurukun Mornington Island dispute. During that dispute, the then Fraser (Liberal / Country Party) government caved into the Bjelke government even after giving assurances to the Aborigines involved and the press that new legislation would be enacted to override the plans of the Queensland government.

The Chair of the Human Rights Commission, Dame Roma Mitchell, was quoted in the news report as saying, The Act shows that in matters of administration, local government voting rights and control of alcoholic drinks, the Aboriginal communities have not been given an appropriate measure of self management.

Once again the resolve of the Federal Labor government shall be tested in seeing whether it is prepared to use the Commonwealth powers it was given in the 1967 referendum and to follow through its policies in relation to the advancement and justice for Aboriginal people.