Jump to content

Noel Pearson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Timmy888 (talk | contribs) at 01:26, 26 July 2007 (→‎Life and work). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Noel Pearson (born June 25, 1965 in Cooktown, Australia) is an Indigenous Australian lawyer, land rights activist and Director of the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership, an organisation promoting the economic and social development of Cape York. Pearson has for several years strongly argued that Indigenous policy needs to change direction, notably in relation to welfare, substance abuse, child protection, and economic development.

Life and work

Pearson grew up at Hope Vale, a Lutheran Mission in the Cape York Peninsula. He is the son of Glen Pearson, from the Bagaarrmugu clan, and Ivy Pearson, from the Guggu Yalanji dsfpeoples. His article "Walking in two worlds" provides further information about his family and community.[1]

After attending primary school in Hope Vale, Pearson became a boarder at St Peters Lutheran College in Brisbane.[2] Pearson completed a history and a law degree at the University of Sydney. His history thesis focused on the Hope Vale Lutheran Mission, and was published by the History Department in "Maps Dreams History."

In 1990 he co-founded the Cape York Land Council, where he was Executive Director until he resigned in 1996. He was legal advisor for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission. He now continues to advise a number of Indigenous organisations in Cape York.

Following the Mabo decision of the High Court of Australia Noel Pearson played a key part in negotiations over the Native Title Act 1993 as a member of the Indigenous negotiating team.[3]

He has advocated for self-determination for Indigenous people and criticised approaches that keep Indigenous people dependent on welfare and disempowered in the name of "progressive" policies, a position outlined in his "Light on the hill" speech in 2000.[4]

In 2004 he became the Director of the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership.

On December 15, 2006, Pearson publicly criticised the Queensland Director of Public Prosecutions, Leanne Clare, in relation to her decision not to press charges against the police officer involved in the 2004 Palm Island death in custody of Palm Island resident Mulrunji.[5] On January 26, 2007, Pearson welcomed the decision to prosecute the officer, after the inquiry by Laurence Street found there was sufficient evidence to press charges. Pearson also argued, however, that a 20- or 30-year plan was necessary for Palm Island.[6]

On May 11, 2007, Pearson and Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough launched a new welfare scheme for Pearson's home town of Hope Vale. The scheme offers funds for home improvements, and low interest loans for home ownership.[7][8]

On June 19, 2007, Pearson launched a report by the Cape York Institute, From Hand Out to Hand Up, on welfare reform. The report was welcomed by Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough.[9][10] On June 20, Pearson argued for the necessity of intervention in relation to Aboriginal child sexual abuse.[11] On June 21, Prime Minister John Howard announced a series of Federal government measures designed to address child abuse in Northern Territory Aboriginal communities, including welfare reform and a ban on alcohol.[12] Pearson indicated qualified support for these measures[13][14][15], but has received some criticism for doing so.[16] On July 18, the Indigenous Affairs Minister announced that the federal government would fund the welfare reform trials in Cape York recommended in From Hand Out to Hand Up.[17]

Articles and addresses

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2001

2000

Collections of articles

Profiles and interviews

Short biographies

References

  1. ^ Pearson, Walking in two worlds.
  2. ^ Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership.
  3. ^ Gary Foley, The Road to Native Title: The Aboriginal Rights Movement and the Australian Labor Party 1973 -1996.
  4. ^ Pearson, Light on the hill.
  5. ^ DPP labelled incompetent after Palm Is charges decision.
  6. ^ Pearson calls for 20-year strategy.
  7. ^ Govt launches radical Indigenous welfare plan.
  8. ^ Hope for Pearson's great expectations.
  9. ^ Brough backs indigenous welfare overhaul.
  10. ^ Pearson defends Aboriginal welfare plan.
  11. ^ Patricia Karvelas, Pearson's challenge: spend a week watching indigenous abuses.
  12. ^ Patricia Karvelas, Crusade to save Aboriginal kids from abuse.
  13. ^ Pearson fears for Indigenous parents' freedom.
  14. ^ Pearson, Politics aside, an end to the tears is our priority.
  15. ^ Tony Koch & Dennis Shanahan, Get parents who shield abusers: Pearson.
  16. ^ PM accused of black land grab.
  17. ^ $48m pledge to Cape York welfare.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Noel_Pearson&oldid=147128722"