As the next wave of volunteer medical teams head out to conduct voluntary medical checks, Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) School for Social and Policy Research will host a public forum to discuss the Commonwealth’s response to child abuse in Northern Territory remote Indigenous communities.
The forum will include a number of experts discussing their personal opinions on the Commonwealth’s response, followed by an opportunity for the public to have their say, in an open discussion.
The public forum will be held at CDU’s Casuarina Campus, in the Mal Nairn Auditorium, on Friday 20 July from 12:45pm to 3:30pm.
Chaired by ABC Stateline presenter Melinda James, forum speakers will include:
Professor Beth Povinelli, Columbia University: a visiting scholar from Columbia University, Professor Povinelli has published a number of books focusing on the impasses within liberal systems of law and value as they meet local Australian Indigenous culture and the effect these impasses have on the development of legal and public culture in Australia.
Olga Havnen, Northern Land Council: Olga is the Deputy CEO of the Northern Land Council and part of a group of Central Australian Aboriginal leaders who have accused the Federal Government of orchestrating a 'land grab' under the guise of cleaning up the Northern Territory's remote communities.
Professor Allan Patience, CDU: a professor of Political Science at CDU, Professor Patience will discuss contemporary politics of Australian federalism.
Associate Professor Gary Robinson, CDU: Professor Robinson is director of CDU’s School for Social and Policy Research and has over 15 years experience in ethnographic research in Australian remote Indigenous Communities, particularly amongst the Tiwi of Bathurst and Melville Islands.
Ken Parish, CDU: Mr Parish is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory and former member of the NT Legislative Assembly. His research areas include public law (constitutional and administrative) and refugee and immigration law.
Admission is free and light refreshments will follow.
NB: Speakers will be available for interview prior to the forum or by contacting Penny Shirras, Acting Media Manager, Charles Darwin University, 8946 6625 or 0438 868 038.