Fighting the Intervention

Intervention Rollback Action Group

What is the Intervention?

The ‘Intervention’ is a series of policies and legislation implemented since 2007 by federal & territory governments, targeting Aboriginal communities in Australia’s Northern Territory. The policies include: closure of Aboriginal-owned organisations & services, ending community councils, compulsory income management of welfare recipients, compulsory acquisition of townships, segregated alcohol restrictions & bans, increased forced removal of children from their families, increased policing & incarceration of Aboriginal people.

The Intervention is widely understood as a racist attack on the growing autonomy and quality of life of Aboriginal people returning to their homelands since the 1970’s and 80’s. The Australian Army and additional police were deployed to Aboriginal communities. It has significantly undermined health, cultural practices, land ownership, financial assets, Aboriginal-controlled service provision, mental health – particularly of young people, life expectancy and political self-determination. In addition to the many impacts on Aboriginal communities across the NT, the policies cost taxpayers $587million and continue to draw ongoing economic costs to the wider community.

Who are we?

The Intervention Rollback Action Group (IRAG) is made up of volunteers from community groups and organisations who meet regularly to discuss issues that arise from the impact of the Northern Territory Emergency Response (Intervention/Invasion).

The group supports individuals and community groups to deal with those issues and take appropriate action.

You can read more about IRAG and our history here.