NITV's Momentum is a fresh look at Current Affairs from an Indigenous perspective for all Australians. It's television for those who believe in the power of the people to make positive change, even in the midst of crisis.
Julie Nimmo, Walkely Award winning journalist directs the program with an editorial team of creative Indigenous people, all working towards a new narrative; one that dismisses failure and apathy and instead rises to the many challenges experienced by Indigenous Australians.
Episode 5: Divided by Gas
An unspoilt bay on the Kimberley Coastline, just 60kms north of Broome, is the setting for a battle of momentous proportions.
It is where Woodside, with the blessing of the State and Federal governments, will build the infrastructure to service the huge gas deposits that lie 400kms offshore.
It is a project worth billions of dollars in royalties to the Federal government.
It is also worth billions of dollars and, hopefully, lots of jobs to the local Indigenous community. And the Kimberley Land Council strongly supports it.
But two men stand in the way. Joseph Roe is the Senior Law Boss for this country and he is not interested in the dollars or the development. He will fight all the way to the Federal Court to save his country.
And Peter Garrett, the Federal Environment Minister, has the final say on whether the gas hub can go ahead in this pristine location.
Momentum talks to the key players as it investigates the politics and strategies that will decide the future of the James Price Point gas hub.
Divided by Gas - Full episode
Repeats on NITV:
June 22, 20:30 AEST (20:00 ACST, 18:30 AWST)
June 29 20:30 AEST (20:00 ACST, 18:30 AWST)
Episode 4: Heat Waves
Indigenous Elders and Scientists are in agreement, the climate is changing, the weather is warming and seas are rising. For Torres Strait Islanders, many living only 1meter above sea-level, their vulnerability is undeniable. The waves are already crashing in.
Momentum visited Saibai and Warraber in the Torres Strait Islands to record the damage of Climate Change in action and we report on the local solutions to the problem, including an innovative program in Northern Territory where traditional fire management practices have created Carbon Credits for the benefit of the people and the environment.
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.
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?
Statistic shows WA has had the worst rate in Australia of over representation in custody, in proportion to Indigenous pop of the state, and has had worst rate for the last 12 out of 14 years.
Page 30 Aust Institute of Criminology – Over-representation of Indigenous Young People in detention 1994-2007 (latest figures which AIC says still stand in principal, today)
- http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/7/8/8/%7B788D534A-4DAF-4ABC-8A31-A2D364C5BAD7%7Dmr05.pdf
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 succes.
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.
Media Release - 
Transcript - coming soon
