SA UNIONS
BACKS ANANGU
24
September 2005
SA Unions
executive has passed a resolution of support for Anangu who are
concerned about changes to their Land Rights Act.
The South
Australian government is proposing amendments to the 1981 Anangu
Pitjantjatjara Land Rights Act.
Many Anangu
Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara have expressed concern about a lack
of proper consultation with Traditional Owners, and fear that the
State Government wants to be able to override Anangu decision
making.
SA Unions heard
from a delegation of Traditional Owners, including Yankunytjatjara
woman Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue.
“We’re concerned
that Traditional Owners haven’t had proper information about the
changes, or enough time to properly consider their impact” SA Unions
secretary Janet Giles says.
“We’ve agreed to
add our voice to that of Anangu, by writing to the Premier calling
for the legislative amendments to be put aside to enable a proper
consultation process to occur over the next 6 to 12 months.”
‘We also support
the Anangu’s call for funds to access independent legal advice and
independent interpreting and translation services, to assist their
understanding of the proposed changes” she says.
Ms Giles says SA
Unions also intends to brief the ACTU, as a first step to raising
national awareness about the Anangu’s concerns, if their calls
aren’t heeded by the government.