Congress concerned about the future of Indigenous people

The Congress of Australia's First Peoples is calling on all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to carefully consider policies before voting this weekend.

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Close the Gap

The Congress of Australia's First Peoples is calling on all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to carefully consider policies before voting this weekend.

Les Malezer, one of the co-chairs of Congress, says there hasn't been a strong commitment to the rights of Indigenous people under the United Nations' declaration. 

He's pleased with the bi-partisanship shown during the campaign but says there's still more work to be done.

“We have not heard a word from the Coalition about the declaration or any sort of commitment which reflects that Indigenous people do have rights that need to be respected in this country, “says Mr Malezer.

A document released by Congress also says there is a desperate need for a justice target to be included in the Close the Gap initiative.

The document also outlines that Congress is concerned about one or two individuals potentially advising the Prime Minister on behalf of all Indigenous people.

Mr Malezer says the organisation is confident about the future of Congress, if the Coalition is elected this weekend. 

But the Coalition has promised a review of all current services and bodies if it prevails on Saturday. 


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Published 4 September 2013 5:24pm
Updated 5 September 2013 9:07am
By Brooke Boney
Source: NITV News

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