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[nsunn q Th€ Ii qhts 01 ChiU,en AJ 1c61i \ilctLrs In IlImiIq CcUrI Protective Mothers Alliance Australian Head Office P0 Box 68 fppingVlC 2076 pniaaustralia@live.com Committee Secretary Senate Community Affairs References Committee P0 Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 RE: Inquiry into Suicide in Australia Dear Sir/Madam, As the recently appointed Australian director of the international protective mother's alliance, I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the Inquiry into Suicide in Australia. With over five years of hands on experience working with young people and their families often affected by suicide, I am able to provide the balance required to acknowledge the needs young people and their families affected. I would first of all wish to join the caution of resolving suicide by increasing contact with parents previously ordered "no contact"'. It is my view that this is a major mistake that has cost lives in other countries and is beginning to cost more lives here. I am aware that fathers rights groups have circulated widely amongst their networks advising' to contribute submissions to this inquiry to push this agenda° and greatly concerned that the consequences of adhering to their recommendations without considering other stakeholders may be of detriment to young people and their families. I refer to the numerous findings and trends in United States in relation to the climb of murder suicides 4 that are now linked to the high suicide rates' and findings that most of these are post separation where victims have not received adequate protections that they deserved when signs of these consequences where apparent. With recent changes in family law reflecting Americas trends' on forced» contact, Australia has the same ability to follow the same consequences and has began to show similar results. The Politics of Father Rights Activists - Do persistent critics of the Family Court behave in a way which stands up to scrutiny? By M. C. Dunn News, Articles & Frets Releases inquiry into suicide in Australia by SPCA Secretary 15 ° October 2009 Children must see dad, like ,t or not: Family Court Australian news article by Caroline Onerington American Roulette Murder-Suicide in united States, violence Polity Centre Forensic Pathology Reoiews, volume 3 Murder -Suicides by Roger W. Byard Family law, volumes land II Edited by Harry D. Krause, Max L. Rowe Professor of Law, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, SSA

famous case by the name of Nathan Greco who was «forced» with contact despite repeated allegations of abuse. His mother found him kneeling on the floor by his bed, a leather belt around his neck, blood

Coordinating efforts across government and between sectors to support Aboriginal families. communities and schools in their shared responsibilities for rearing children is one of the most important and yet difficult tasks facing the Western Australian Government. Current research and good practice knowledge suggest this is likely to be the most effective means to reducing the complex problems of suicide and self-harm among Aboriginal people in Western Australia. It is also a critical part of the ongoing process of reparation for the damage done to Indigenous communities and families by the history of colonisation and the «forced» removal of children

Community and family «Adoption» of such a focus in schools has been linked with increased family, focused schools, community and individual well-being. There is more of a partnership in raising children that comes from an environment where parental and family input is encouraged, rather than alienated. Such an approach is particularly critical in

Recurrent funding tied to Such prevention approaches require a commitment to long term strategies, and evaluation hence long term funding. Outcomes aimed at reducing the prevalence of risk are not immediate but are the result of sustained effort. It is essential «adoption» of a prevention approach is seen as a long term commitment. Evidence suggests

the Prime Minister's «Apology» of 13 February 2008 and the follow on activities by the Federal

This research also highlights the adverse intergenerational consequences of «forced» removal

policies, linking «forced» separation with family environment and intergenerational trauma. It states that:

Aboriginal carers and their children (aged 4-17 years) and the past policies and practices of «forced» separation of Aboriginal people from their natural families' (Zubrick, S et.al , 2005:465)

. Further, this research also highlights the links between «forced» separation, intergenerational trauma and parenting skills. Those who were forcibly removed have been denied parenting role models and "the very experience most people rely on to become effective and successful parents themselves." (Zubrick, S et.al , 2005)

This research also highlights the adverse intergenerational consequences of «forced» removal

policies, linking «forced» separation with family environment and intergenerational trauma. It states that:

• "significant associations exist between the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal carers and their children (aged 4-17 years) and the past policies and practices of «forced» separation of Aboriginal people from their natural families' (Zubrick, S et.al , 2005:455)

Further, this research also highlights the links between «forced» separation, intergenerational trauma and parenting skills. Those who were forcibly removed have been denied parenting role models and "the very experience most people rely on to become effective and successful parents themselves." (Zubnck, S et.al , 2005)

Indigenous affairs again took centre stage on the 13" of February this year when Prime Minister Rudd made a formal «apology» from the Parliament of Australia to the Stolen Generation, and to Indigenous Australians more generally for past policies which "inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians". While the

«apology» ignited hopes of new efforts to address Indigenous disadvantage, almost one year on the direction of the new Labor Government's policy on Indigenous affairs remains unclear.

institutions that support pursuit of self-interest, «adoption» of advanced technology, efficient ways of contracting labour and organising jobs. The forces of globalisation and the quest to achieve 'international competitiveness' make national boundaries, customs and traditions increasingly subservient to the demands of the international marketplace and the goals of expanding trade and foreign investment. Multinational companies play a major role in this process. However, Crosby points to a growing recognition that culture can also play a positive role in development and in legitimising reform processes, as well as having a value in its own right that should be sustained. He notes that World Bank development programs are now tailored to local values and institutions and emphasise cultural interactions. 'Poverty reduction programmes may therefore be more effective if directed specifically towards cultural targets, promoting cultural expression and awareness as being concomitant with improvement in material circumstances.' (Throsby 2001: 70).

remains one of the intended topics for further investigation. What is less ambiguous is that the most radical examples of the assimilation approach - the «forced removal of