WITBN

Round II: National Indigenous TV

1. Momentum
Duration: 42 - 52 minutes / News & Current Affairs Program

Episode 1 – For Lease

Momentum journalist, Walkley award winning Wiradjuri woman Julie Nimmo explores the issue of Indigenous poverty and housing needs; the reasons for signing over to a Federal Lease Agreement and what might happen to a community if they don’t sign on like the Town Camps of Alice Springs who are now facing a Federal Government Compulsory Acquisition of their land and homes; and what lies ahead for those who have signed onto a lease like the Tennant Creek community now bound to a lease for the next 60 year.

Reporter Julie Nimmo interviewed the Chief Minister Paul Henderson about the SIHIP ‘debacle’ and interviewed two controversial Aboriginal politicians, Marion Scrymgour and Alison Anderson about both their resignations and revival’s within the NT Labor Party.Solutions to the Indigenous housing crisis were investigated in Arnhem Land where Momentum visited the Gumatj Bunkhouse and spoke to traditional owners about the concept of their own Parliament, the Dilak, as a way of empowering the people and fostering better outcomes in negotiations with Governments of all persuasions.

While reporting the issue of a better standard of living for Indigenous Territorians, politicians, community leaders and residents all had opinions on the best way forward but they rarely agreed on the same model for success.

One resonating point can be taken from this investigation; Indigenous Territorians want control of their own destiny and they’ve devised strategies, alongside non-Indigenous people, to realize that dream. Momentum presents those dreams directly from the people now living through the crisis.

Aboriginal Communities Territory-wide are being asked to lease their land over to the Federal Government in exchange for houses, refurbishments and basics services like power, sewerage and water.

Episode 2 – Boys Behind Bars

In Western Australia, the number of children in state custody has steadily risen over the last 15 years. Today, W.A has the highest rate of Aboriginal children incarcerated, in proportion to the Aboriginal population, in the country.

Momentum asked why so many children are incarcerated? What is going on, in Australia’s wealthiest state, that’s led to this tragic reality for so many kids? Is this a problem with Aboriginal families, or is it the fault of heavy handed police practices, mandatory sentencing, harsh courts or overzealous ‘tough on crime’ politicians?

Episode 3 – Walking With Warriors

Momentum takes to the streets of inner city Sydney to investigate the state of Aboriginal men’s health in Australia today. This most recent and important episode of NITV’s current affairs program focuses on issues surrounding the short life expectancy they must combat. Journalist Julie Nimmo asks why, in such an educated and wealthy country Indigenous men are dying so much earlier than their non-Indigenous counterparts?

Momentum reveals the challenges urban men face and the new trend to join men’s groups like the Babana Aboriginal Men’s Group; where they focus on exercise, honesty and mateship.

2. Geoffrey Robertson’s Closing the Gap Hypothetical Program