We're not civilised if indigenous people worse off, says Barnett

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

We're not civilised if indigenous people worse off, says Barnett

AAP
July 02, 2009 09:59am

AUSTRALIA can only think of itself as a civilised and successful nation once it ends indigenous disadvantage, West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says.

Commonwealth, state and territory leaders are meeting in Darwin today to discuss how to improve the health, education and employment prospects of indigenous people. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (http://search.news.com.au/search//0/?us=ndmnews&sid=29277&as=news&ac=ninews2&q=Prime%20Minister%20Kevin%20Rudd) said yesterday the COAG meeting would "tackle the most intractable problem that has faced Australian governments since federation: closing the gap of indigenous disadvantage".

Mr Barnett shares that view.

"This is Australia's great shame and this is our greatest challenge to become a truly civilised and successful nation," he told ABC Radio, adding things were heading in the right direction.

"There is an incredibly strong resolve amongst governments throughout Australia to actually get on the ground, roll your sleeves up and get on with it.

"The other aspect is there is a great willingness amongst Aboriginal communities to not just go forward, but to actually strive and achieve a true economic independence."

The Liberal premier said that might take a generation, but he'd never before seen such an alignment of resolve.


http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25721835-29277,00.html

[LRPV]

Meanwhile, the reality is that the only Government intervention in 2009 has been to ban alcohol sales in specific communities. Roebourne being next target for this brainfart.

[Opening Batsman]

Commonwealth, state and territory leaders are meeting in Darwin today to discuss how to improve the health, education and employment prospects of indigenous people

Meanwhile, instead of meeting in Darwin today to discuss how they can improve their own health, education and employment prospects, they are sleeping on the grass at the esplanade and asking me for a dollar.

[Scriptable]

Meanwhile, instead of meeting in Darwin today to discuss how they can improve their own health, education and employment prospects, they are sleeping on the grass at the esplanade and asking me for a dollar.
Very true observation. At what point should the government stop handing out freebies and cash and instead ask the aboriginal community to pick itself up and make a concerted effort to change?

[LRPV]

The wider Aboriginal community is welfare dependant. Apart from Section D positions (clause in Act permitting discrimination allowing Ab. only positions) and a handful of of private sector jobs, few are actually gainfully employed. The Federal CDEP program which is effectively working for welfare was a farce and I believe it has or will be wound-up. Therefore this population isn't in a position to help itself. Add the fact of tribal frictions to any meaningful intervention which has Aboriginal consultation and input and you get the committee syndrome. Lots of movement with little progress.

If you look at the successful Aboriginals, Lois O'Donahue and a Sue Gordon, both were people of the "stolen generation'. Short of revisiting this intervention, perhaps in a more civil manner, there will be no change.

[rolls]

They need to get there own **** together and stop expecting the ''white man'' to do it for them.

And whilst there at it they can stop drinking in the park at night and turning my neighbourhood into there own personal pissing swamp. Ive had my windows smashed 3 times in the past 12 months so my care factor for these people is =0.

Stolen Generation you say? I say there the Educated Generation, and they are the problem!!

[LRPV]

...the white man's burden p-)

[rolls]

...the white man's burden p-)



You uncivilised individual you :P

[rolls]

The wider Aboriginal community is welfare dependant. Apart from Section D positions (clause in Act permitting discrimination allowing Ab. only positions) and a handful of of private sector jobs, few are actually gainfully employed. The Federal CDEP program which is effectively working for welfare was a farce and I believe it has or will be wound-up. Therefore this population isn't in a position to help itself. Add the fact of tribal frictions to any meaningful intervention which has Aboriginal consultation and input and you get the committee syndrome. Lots of movement with little progress.

If you look at the successful Aboriginals, Lois O'Donahue and a Sue Gordon, both were people of the "stolen generation'. Short of revisiting this intervention, perhaps in a more civil manner, there will be no change.


Actually, thats a very fair comment.

[PeterRJG]

Very true observation. At what point should the government stop handing out freebies and cash and instead ask the aboriginal community to pick itself up and make a concerted effort to change?

Not any time soon. They're still victims in the eyes of mainstream Australia, and most definitely in their own eyes.

In addition, many of them want little if anything to do with "white man Australia".

[rolls]

Not any time soon. They're still victims in the eyes of mainstream Australia, and most definitely in their own eyes.

In addition, many of them want little if anything to do with "white man Australia".


Mainstream Australia? No...

Pandering for votes politicians.... Yes.

[Panchito12]

How long does one have to live in one place to be "indigenous?

My father's ancestors came to the American continent in 1524. That's grounds to allow me to be able to call myself a "Native American".

[PeterRJG]

How long does one have to live in one place to be "indigenous?

My father's ancestors came to the American continent in 1524. That's grounds to allow me to be able to call myself a "Native American".

In the case of Australia: 50000 years. It's when the Aboriginals first arrived here.

I was born in this country as well, and I'm as Australian as any aboriginal but it's all about the "spirit of place".
And yes, I'll repeat it. Mainstream Australia (read big city Australian, ie. 80%) has been sold the idea that Aboriginals are victims. It's a different story out here in the sticks where we live a little closer to the reality.

[josh21x]

...the white man's burden p-)

ooo, we are doin quite well without te white man,p-)

[digrar]

Meanwhile, the reality is that the only Government intervention in 2009 has been to ban alcohol sales in specific communities. Roebourne being next target for this brainfart.

"Look, we're doing things to solve the problem..."

Roebourne doesn't have a pub or a shop with a liquor licence... :|

Every advantage to get a higher education and a job. How can we get centerlink to hand out desire and motivation?

[Hollis]

How can we get centerlink to hand out desire and motivation?


If that could ever be done, it would be a boom for all of humankind.

[PeterRJG]

In addition, a lot of them suffer the same disorder Africa-Americans apparently do: Uncle Tom disorder. A lot of Aboriginals wouldn't be seen dead collaborating, or cooperating or what have you with the "white gubba" for fear of being branded white sellouts.

[Mastermind]

In modern terms, such talk is utter nonsense. Legislation's have been in place here for generations to equalize things...even to give every advantage possible to minorities, even to the point of outrageous and unconstitutional "reverse discrimination" against the majority...yet, we still see the so-called "minorities" refusing to participate or to take up their own slackers to join in what they once claimed they wanted....to equally participate int he total national experience...instead, they show by action they really just want to be treated like "special" people, very willing to go on being supported, babied and catered to by the rest of the nation....this is the end result of favoritism and welfare based on some sort of false identity of "disadvantaged class"...it is perpetrated to infinity by the very class that enjoys such status.

Sadly, in actuality, there is no solution. The "underprivileged" class distinction must be carried on forever once it has been bestowed.

[LRPV]

"Look, we're doing things to solve the problem..."

Roebourne doesn't have a pub or a shop with a liquor licence... :|

Every advantage to get a higher education and a job. How can we get centerlink to hand out desire and motivation?

There is a sports club out of town, yes? Anyway according to Dear Minister a licenced premises is not required as a basis for banning alcohol. The lack of such a premises just means less effective opposition to the move. What works in remote communities may be a disaster in a mixed race town. I'd be buggered if I would go teetotal because some twit in Perth said my town was to go dry.

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

If only this was all as easy as it seems.

[Opening Batsman]

Yeah, how hard is some self respect.