By Bill Day

1997 Green Left Weekly

DARWIN -- Homeless Aboriginal people in Darwin have grown impatient with NT government inaction. Since the chief minister has called the chairperson of the Northern Land Council, Galurrwuy Yunupingu, "just another whingeing black'', the Aboriginal people camped in urban bushland sites expect little recognition of their plight.

On March 17, they took to the streets. After speeches in Civic Park, about 50 Aborigines marched on Parliament House to deliver two petitions to Mike Reed, the minister for lands, calling for more town camp sites and secure title for existing camps. When they reached the multimillion-dollar edifice, the protesters found the doors locked and guarded by police.

The minister was responsible for eviction notices given to a much loved elder who had set up camp at Lee Point in the northern suburbs in defiance of threatened police action to remove him. During the wettest monsoon season on record, the old man died. His death has made other homeless Aborigines more determined.

Eventually the police allowed three representatives into Parliament House to deliver the petitions. The irony of being locked out of the building was not lost on a people who are denied the right to prevent police and council inspectors trampling through their camps.

One camp that does have shelters and facilities is Railway Dam, in the inner city suburb of Stuart Park. At present, the camp is surrounded by oil tanks, but when these are removed the camp is to be turned into a park, according to Reed, who also said that Aborigines would not be welcome amidst the planned luxury apartments.

The protesters were given wide publicity. Their militancy has ensured that a group previously labelled "itinerant" is now being heard and taken seriously. They are prepared for a prolonged struggle and are planning further action to achieve their demands.