April 27, 2015
Dole-free zones similar to Australian clearances
Mana leader Hone Harawira says forced clearances from remote communities is something that happens on both sides of the Tasman.
Mr Harawira was recently in Australia, where he talked with Aboriginal activists at the Canberra tent embassy.
He says while Maori are getting behind protests over the Abbott Government’s refusal to fund federal services for remote Aboriginal communities, something similar happens in Aotearoa where people living in remote Northland communities aren’t eligible for the dole.
"While we’re protesting against the closure of remote communities we need to be mindful the government here is doing the same things, picking up families from places like Panguru and saying you have to move out of there," he says.
"People have moved home, built a house, got a job in the forestry and all of a sudden the forestry industry turns belly up and they’re not allowed to go on the dole so they are forced to leave, with the government deciding they can’t stay there.”he says.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH HONE HARAWIRA CLICK ON THE LINK
http://www.waateanews.com/play_podcast?podlink=Mjg0NzE=
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