The NT Intervention: Coercion vs. Cooperation
A free public lecture featuring the Hon Ron Merkel QC, former Judge of the Federal Court of Australia. Presented in conjunction with Engineers Without Borders.
6:30pm–8:30pm, Monday 5th October 2009
Room G08, Melbourne Law School, 185 Pelham St, Carlton Vic 3053
In 2007, the Howard government launched the Northern Territory Intervention, following the NT government’s publication of Little Children Are Sacred, a report that concluded that the sexual abuse of children in Indigenous communities in the NT had reached a level of crisis. The $587 million package consisted of 9 measures which related to issues of welfare, law enforcement and land tenure.
The NT intervention has been criticised by various parties as untimely, inappropriate and unconstitutional. In 2007-2009, the Hon Ron Merkel QC represented traditional owner Reggie Wurridjal and Joy Garlbin of the Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation in the High Court, challenging the legality of several aspects of the NT Intervention. More recently, he has represented Barb Shaw in challenging the take-over of town camps in and around Alice Springs, in the Federal Court.
Mr Merkel will share and reflect upon these experiences in this free public lecture.
Finger food and refreshments provided.
THIS SEMINAR IS NOW FULL. A recording will be available after the lecture at <http://harangue.lecture.unimelb.edu.au/lectopia/lectopia.lasso?ut=650&id=78591>.
For further information and for other Social Justice Seminars, see the Social Justice section of our site.