M-TH: PROTEST AGAINST NT'S MANDATORY SENTENCING

[k . bullimore]

Comrades,
for those comrades in Australia, there are two actions taking place tommorrow 
(possibly more) over the Northern Territory's mandatory sentencing.  One in 
Canberra (at Fed parliament) and one in Perth (WA Parliament).  Please attend 
if possible.  Details of both are below.
comradely,
Kim B 
PS - for those comrades overseas - mandatory sentencing exists in two 
Australian states/territories - the Northern Territory and Western Australia.  
The Northern Territories are by far the worst (although WA's are not much 
better).  In the NT - you are jailed 14 days for your first offence, second 
offence is 1 or 2 mths (sorry not sure of the correct time) and third offence 1 
year.  Aboriginal people are the most effected by these draconian laws.  In the 
last few months, people have been jailed for 1 year for stealing biscuits and 
cordial worth about $5, another person for stealing a towel to keep warm.  Just 
yesterday, a young Aboriginal man was jailed 14 days for breaking a window in 
his own home.  A week ago, a young 15 yearold boy hung himself after being 
jailed for stealing less than $50 worth of colouring in pencils and texta's.

The Federal govt has the power to overturn the laws in the NT, because it is 
not a state - only a territory.  The Howard's govt was quick to yell moral 
outrage when the NT passed laws allowing euthansia and had them overturned.  
They refuse to do the same thing to protect the lives of young people and 
Indigenous people.  Aboriginal people deaths in custody have risen since 1991, 
when a report was made on the findings of a royal commission into Aboriginal 
deaths in custody.  Hardly any of the recommendations put forward by the royal 
commission have been carried out.  Aboriginal people are still dying in their 
droves.


********************************************
> PROTEST AGAINST NORTHERN TERRITORY'S
> MANDATORY SENTENCING
> ********************************************
> 
> On Thursday 11 February 2000 a 15-year-old, Aboriginal boy hanged
> himself in a juvenile detention centre in Darwin.  He was sentenced
> under the Northern Territory's mandatory sentencing laws for stealing
> paint and stationery worth less than $50.
> 
> The Northern Territory Government refuses to recognise any
> connection between his death and mandatory sentencing.  Western
> Australia also has mandatory sentencing laws for property offences. 
> The Commonwealth Government has power to overturn these laws.
> 
> The Senate Committee inquiry into mandatory sentencing is meeting this
> Thursday 17 February 2000.
> 
> Come to a rally at Parliament House to voice your opposition to the
> draconian sentencing laws of WA and NT  and to call on the
> Commonwealth Government to intervene.  
> 
> Please help us pass the word around and urge as many people as
> possible to attend the rally.
> 
> Where:   Front of new Parliament House
> When:   12:30pm - 1:30pm
>    Thursday 17 February 2000
> 
> Speakers will include indigenous leaders, church and community 
> representatives and politicians.
> 
> This rally is supported by National Children's and Youth Law Centre,
> Australians for Native Title & Reconciliation (ANTaR), Defence for
> Children International
> 
> For more information call 6257 4472
_________________
PERTH ACTION

From:                   Executive Officer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject:                Mandatory sentencing vigil - the time of the event

For those of you who wondered why i didn't put the time of the vigil in my 
last email - I forgot. (damn those aluminium saucepans!)

The service/vigil will take place at 12.00 midday on Thursday February 
17th, at Parliament House, Perth

Regards

Theo Mackaay
Tel 9321 7033
Theo Mackaay
Executive Officer
Anglican Social Responsibilities Commission

> 
> 
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>      
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