Dear friend,

We're very, very close to protecting Aboriginal homelands. Under current federal government policy, homelands have been stripped of funding for essential services - forcing their residents to either move, or remain living in third world conditions inside their own country. For the people who live there it's been devastating, and worse, it was all happening below the radar.

But you've changed all that. Since we launched this campaign in August, you've sent thousands of emails and petition signatures to the government. Our campaign even spurred Channel TEN's 7pm Project to do a special show on the issue. When the media started asking questions, Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin repeatedly claimed that the government supports homelands. Well, now the government has a chance to truly prove its support.

Right now Treasurer Wayne Swan is preparing to draw up the 2012 - 2013 Federal Budget. He must decide whether to put his government's promises into action and fund services on homelands properly. Send a message to Wayne Swan, and ask him to put words into action.

Homelands are communities established so that Aboriginal people can maintain connection with their traditional, ancestral land. Research shows that people can be happier, healthier and live longer on homelands - all with their connection to language, culture and country intact.

What we're asking for makes perfect sense: that funding for services reflect where Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory actually live. Close to 35% currently live in homelands, yet they receive a fraction of the funding for essential services.

The test comes down to this: will the government allocate fair and equal funding to homelands in the next federal budget? Email Wayne Swan today and show the government we're still standing in solidarity. Together, we can seize this moment and put this injustice behind us.

Thank you, as always, for all that you do. Your petitions, your letters and your solidarity have meant everything to those who previously felt alone and unheard.

With hope,

Sarah Marland
Indigenous Peoples Rights Campaign Coordinator
Amnesty International Australia

PS: We've written a formal Federal Budget submission, but it's crucial that your voice is heard too. The government needs to know that you can about homelands. Write your message to Wayne Swan now.