AUCKLAND: Secretary General of Amnesty International, Salil Shetty, met with Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin on Wednesday to talk about poor living conditions in Northern Territory communities. He toured the Utopia homelands in the Territory last week and says he was appalled by what he saw. “I've been to many places in bad shape in Africa, Asia and Latin America but what makes it stark here is when you remind yourself you're actually in one of the richest countries in the world… you have people, Aboriginal communities here who are living in conditions which are really almost inhumane,” he said. Shetty says residents in traditional homelands are not getting funds for essential services and that is pushing them off their lands to urban centres. He says Ms Macklin made commitments of help at the meeting. “She fully understood that these communities require special attention and she has guaranteed us the support we require.” Macklin admitted the homelands residents are among the most disadvantaged in Australia. “She has given us a commitment, from the guarantee that these homeland communities will not be pushed out of their land, and that they will get their requisite funding, with a clear plan and budget in the coming months,” said Shetty. “We have offered to work closely with them, to support and help them, and, at the same time, we will be holding them to account.” BM
