Federal Aboriginal intervention (1 Viewer)

[Rafy]

Key Points
- Alcohol banned for 6 months
- Pornography banned
- Welfare payments quarantined
- School attendence enforced
- Compulsary health checks

Crusade to save Aboriginal kids from abuse
JOHN Howard will seize control of Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory, banning alcohol and pornography and using the military to attack the "national emergency" of alcohol-fuelled sexual abuse of children.

In the most dramatic revolution in Aboriginal affairs since the 1967 referendum gave the commonwealth power to enact special laws for Aborigines and include them in the census, the Prime Minister will forcibly quarantine half of the social security payments to most indigenous community residents so that parents spend money on food and rent instead of alcohol.

Scores of doctors will be drafted to examine all 23,000-plus indigenous children in the Territory aged under 16 for evidence of sexual abuse.

Over the next month, Mr Howard will flood indigenous communities with police and the military, who will offer logistical support to rebuild communities from the ground up.

The unprecedented power grab comes a week after the release of a report that revealed rampant and often-unreported child sexual abuse in Territory indigenous communities, with children as young as three exposed to hard-core pornography.

It described frequent attacks on children by family members and their friends after parties featuring drug use and binge-drinking.

"We are dealing with children of the tenderest age who have been exposed to the most terrible abuse from the time of their birth, virtually," Mr Howard said. "It is interventionist, it does push aside the role of the Territory to some degree - I accept that. But what matters more: the constitutional niceties or the care and protection of young children?"

Mr Howard, flanked by Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough, said he was prepared to spend "tens of millions" to enforce his uncompromising plan by asking states to second 10 police each to form a strike force.

Mr Brough said he hoped the extra police, backed by army personnel, would be on the ground in four weeks, with the Government writing letters yesterday asking the states for assistance in the form of six-month police deployments.

Mr Howard also foreshadowed legislation to provide a legal base for his decision to wrest control of indigenous lands from the Northern Territory Government. He described its response to the problems as manifestly inadequate and called on state premiers to adopt similar laws to stop abuse all over the country immediately. [...]

[Full Article]

Nothing less than a new social order

 

[jb_nc]

Here, here, long overdue.

 

[frog12986]

A non-interventionist approach has failed over the past two decades, and irrespective of the qualms academics will have in relation to the impact it will have upon'Aboriginal Land Rights', the Convention on the Rights of Child implores the government to act and place the interests of the children at the forefront. It is a serious problem, and time to intervene is nigh.

Whether it is Liberal or Labor, is irrelevant. This issue is above politics and for too long the quest for progression in relation to Aboriginal Rights has superceded the ability for the problem to be addressed.

 

[Captain Gh3y]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/howards-got-it-wrong/2007/06/22/1182019326040.html#

'Howard's got it wrong'

Canberra's response to rampant child sex abuse in Northern Territory indigenous communities has been slammed by a key regional Aboriginal organisation as hasty and ill-conceived.

Central Land Council (CLC) director David Ross today said he was concerned Prime Minister John Howard was using a report that found evidence of widespread child sex abuse to push through land rights changes in an election year quick fix.

"Under the smokescreen of helping children, the Federal Government is taking the opportunity to impose its ideological agenda in relation to Aboriginal land," Mr Ross said.

"The proposals seem to be a grab-bag of unrelated strategies aimed at a quick fix in a pre-election period."

The radical reforms include alcohol and pornography bans, compulsory medical checks for children, increased police numbers, targeting welfare payments and the scrapping of the permit system that restricts entry of non-indigenous people onto Aboriginal land.

The Federal Government also will seize control of about 60 communities in the territory under a five-year lease scheme.

Mr Ross said while he welcomed the declaration of a "national emergency" in Aboriginal affairs, a response should involve community consultation.

"The response needs to be considered and inclusive," Mr Ross said.

"The Howard Government thinks it can go it alone on indigenous affairs but international examples clearly show that to achieve lasting change efforts must be made to build indigenous capacity to solve their own problems ...

"This type of response, despite the lack of detail, is a frightening example of centralised control."

Mr Ross said none of the measures enforced by Mr Howard relating to town camps or permits were in line with the recommendations of the recent federal Senate Committee on Aboriginal art or the NT Government's child abuse report.

"In fact, they seem to be contradictory," he said.

In particular, Mr Ross said he was disappointed with the decision to scrap the permit system to open up all communal areas on Aboriginal land.

Currently a permit is needed for non-indigenous people to enter these areas.

Mr Ross said this would exacerbate existing problems and goes against the wishes of Aboriginal people.

"Removing permits from major communities could provide a free-for-all peddling of alcohol and marijuana and pornography or the inflicting of further sexual or physical abuse on children," he said.

"At least with the permit system it was possible to ask somebody if they had a permit and what they were doing in the community.

"This sort of top-down approach just increases the gap between Aboriginal people and the wider community and ultimately leads to further dysfunction and alienation."

Mr Ross said that for the last 30 years the CLC had operated a permit system to allow visitors, travellers, workers, contractors, researchers and government officials a system of regulated access to all Aboriginal land.

"To imply that the permit system is responsible for disadvantage is simplistic and wrong," he said.

"The only economies scrapping the permit system is likely to foster is the dealing of petrol, drugs and porn as well as to assist the carpetbaggers and unscrupulous art dealers that hope to operate in Aboriginal communities."

 

[PrinceHarry]

I think they should be stripped off all special privileges they have and be forced to integrate with the rest of the society.

 

[jb_nc]

I think they should be stripped off all special privileges they have and be forced to integrate with the rest of the society.

Yes, because that worked marvellously the first time didn't it?

 

[Josie]

A non-interventionist approach has failed over the past two decades, and irrespective of the qualms academics will have in relation to the impact it will have upon'Aboriginal Land Rights', the Convention on the Rights of Child implores the government to act and place the interests of the children at the forefront. It is a serious problem, and time to intervene is nigh.

Whether it is Liberal or Labor, is irrelevant. This issue is above politics and for too long the quest for progression in relation to Aboriginal Rights has superceded the ability for the problem to be addressed.

Second time this year I've agreed with Frog. It had to happen, and both sides of parliament will rightly support it.

 

[banco55]

I'd like to see very stiff mandatory sentences. I don't see why anyone convicted of some of the stuff that was listed in the report should ever see the light of day again. Get these offenders into prison where there are no children for them to harm.

 

[Born2baplacebo]

Took them how many fucking years to realise this? I thought they were meant to do this when the riots in Dubbo broke out.

 

[Captain Gh3y]

PM Plan may worsen situation

Key Aboriginal leaders are concerned at the scrapping of the permit system of gaining entry to Aboriginal land, and at the lack of preventative measures under new federal government's plans to address child abuse in Indigenous communities.
...
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma says the scrapping of the permit system of gaining entry to Aboriginal lands has the potential to do greater harm to communities.
...
Aboriginal activist Mick Dodson said the government's plan to finally take child sexual abuse seriously was "a good start", but it needed to address more issues then just sexual abuse.

"It's been a national emergency for two decades, with total inaction of governments at all levels," said Mr Dodson, a professor of law at the Australian National University.

But he said governments needed to address other problem areas, including housing and health.

"The prohibition of alcohol - that doesn't work because we have to deal with not just banning alcohol but we've got to deal with the addiction ... we've got to give these people support, counselling."
...
Tom Calma agreed, saying the plan lacked preventative measures to stop violence, as well as follow-up services.

"My concern with the federal government's proposal is that it doesn't put in place the preventative measures that indigenous people need to stop the violence, and then prevent it from re-occurring," he said in a statement.

"Nor does it provide the measures or services to support indigenous people once these changes are made.

"How will people be assisted to safely come off their alcohol or substance addiction?"

Mr Calma also wondered how Aborigines would be made aware of the changes coming.

PM move may deepen divide

Prime Minister John Howard's plan to intervene in child sexual abuse in the Northern Territory has sparked concerns, with critics labelling the move as 'authoritarian'.
...
But critics of the plan have questioned the timing and potential racism of the drastic changes.

Greens leader Bob Brown has told the ABC years of inaction by Mr Howard have forced the Government into dangerous racial discrimination territory.

"It is a pre-election push which is action on a scale that is absolutely not needed," he said.

Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett says it is an outrageous authoritarian crackdown, and he is outraged Mr Howard did not first consult the Northern Territory's Indigenous communities.

"If they aren't involved in developing the solutions, then the solutions aren't going to work," he said.
...
Gregory Phillips, one of Australia's first Aboriginal medical anthropologists, does not support compulsory health checks for children under 16.

Mr Phillips says “unless they do that in non-Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory as well, then it is racially discriminatory”.
...
Gregory Phillips says the federal government's approach will do much to point the finger at Aboriginal communities, but little to solve problems which he says are the result of 200 years of trauma.
...
Mr Phillips claims John Howard's strategy is racist and all about electioneering.

"Internationally the evidence shows that any interventions in Aboriginal health that work are ones where communities themselves are empowered to design and own the intervention.

"Now the government is telling a lie if they think they're the only ones who care about this and that all Aboriginal people are not doing anything.

“That somehow we're sitting on our hands waiting for John Howard to save us. That's absolutely a lie.
...
Professor Dodson says there may be something to build on in the new policy.

But he is unhappy with the government's plan to take control of some 60 Aboriginal townships, a move which he characterises as simplistic, draconian and verging on paternalistic.

"I can't see how tenure is an issue in the sexual abuse of children. If it were, the problem wouldn't be as widespread as it is. It's not just a matter of Aboriginal land under the Northern Territory Land Rights Act, it's far deeper and more complex than that.

 

[Justin]

A non-interventionist approach has failed over the past two decades, and

Yeh but you're the kind of person who hates Aboriginals, so why do you care? What does it matter to you if it "has failed over the past two decades"?

When people like you get on here and say "it's failed" (like you actually care), it shows just how easy it is to turn this issue into a political pawn which is designed to divide and conquer.

This approach is designed to do non-other than divide and conquer.

Does anyone else squirm when Mal Brough speaks? I feel like punching the TV screen.

I'd like to see very stiff mandatory sentences. I don't see why anyone convicted of some of the stuff that was listed in the report should ever see the light of day again. Get these offenders into prison where there are no children for them to harm.

Ah, but they themselves are victims of sexual abuse. The irony is that their victims of today have a high probability of growing up to be the offenders of tomorrow. It's a cycle. Some may say that's more reason to keep them in prison for the rest of their life - to break the cycle. But you can't imprison the victims for being victims, so the cycle just continues.

Such is the futility of all hitting-your-head-against-the-wall-lets-get-tough-on-criminals-and-lock-them-up-forever approaches like yours. It's rarely as simply as you imagine, and your ideas of dealing with the situation only make things worse.

The futility of your naivety in suggesting populist/emotionally charged approaches is evident in America. They are a nation governed by this populist bullshit, and look how crap their country is.

 

[Born2baplacebo]

Aussie PM John Howard is so determined to see every Muslim (and many ... The Asshole from Down Under should stay down under...where they hate him like we do

Even Google hates him.



http://media.thechrispirilloshow.com/images/thenoassholerule.jpg
lolness <3

p.s. i dont hate aboriginals but i hate john howard cos everyone else does and this is a world of conformity so fuck it, join the hating john howard revolution.

 

[MuffinMan]

Took them how many fucking years to realise this? I thought they were meant to do this when the riots in Dubbo broke out.

He's only doing this cause there's an election coming up, not that I care, dud vote ftw

 

[banco55]

Ah, but they themselves are victims of sexual abuse. The irony is that their victims of today have a high probability of growing up to be the offenders of tomorrow. It's a cycle. Some may say that's more reason to keep them in prison for the rest of their life - to break the cycle. But you can't imprison the victims for being victims, so the cycle just continues.

Such is the futility of all hitting-your-head-against-the-wall-lets-get-tough-on-criminals-and-lock-them-up-forever approaches like yours. It's rarely as simply as you imagine, and your ideas of dealing with the situation only make things worse.

The futility of your naivety in suggesting populist/emotionally charged approaches is evident in America. They are a nation governed by this populist bullshit, and look how crap their country is.

Yep get them out of circulation to break the cycle. I also think there is a degree of choice. I don't think they are entirely slaves to their sick urges. If a few offenders were sentenced to 30 years it would make others think twice.

Left-wingers like yourself have been using the "it's really complicated" excuse for years as an excuse to do nothing. Oh and with the simplistic, redneck law and order approach america has seen a huge decline in crime over the past 20 years.

 

[jb_nc]

Yeh but you're the kind of person who hates Aboriginals, so why do you care? What does it matter to you if it "has failed over the past two decades"?

Sure, thanks for making frog's own mind up for him.

When people like you get on here and say "it's failed" (like you actually care), it shows just how easy it is to turn this issue into a political pawn which is designed to divide and conquer.

This approach is designed to do non-other than divide and conquer.

You're full of shit. "POLITICAL PAWN", "DIVIDE AND CONQUER" (twice for some reason); you read like a terrible letter to the editor of Green Weekly.

Does anyone else squirm when Mal Brough speaks? I feel like punchin the TV screen.

No, I'm not a petty idiot.

Ah, but they themselves are victims of sexual abuse. The irony is that their victims of today have a high probability of growing up to be the offenders of tomorrow. It's a cycle. Some may say that's more reason to keep them in prison for the rest of their life - to break the cycle. But you can't imprison the victims for being victims, so the cycle just continues.

It's not ironic, it's fucking sad.

Such is the futility of all hitting-your-head-against-the-wall-lets-get-tough-on-criminals-and-lock-them-up-forever approaches like yours. It's rarely as simply as you imagine, and your ideas of dealing with the situation only make things worse.

Criminals should be punished... You don't believe the concept is just? You do however seem so far left the idea of justice for you is perhaps kisses and hugs for criminals, a high five and a battered sav at the local milkbar...

The futility of your naivety in suggesting populist/emotionally charged approaches is evident in America. They are a nation governed by this populist bullshit, and look how crap their country is.

America is a great country. This isn't a "populist move", the inaction of the Terriritorial government and the report released less than a week ago forced the government's hand to do action. Self-determination has failed them many times over... The "sit-down" money they are given crushes their desire to work and achieve.

Aussie PM John Howard is so determined to see every Muslim (and many ... The Asshole from Down Under should stay down under...where they hate him like we do

You obviously edited this out... What does this have to do with anything?

 

[iamsickofyear12]

I don't see any real solution that doesn't involve just taking aboriginal kids away from their parents... not all obviously but some.

I know it is the stolen generation all over again, but what other option is there. Take the kids away before these fucked up parents can pass on their fucked up values, that way the problem will die out.

 

[Justin]

Yep get them out of circulation to break the cycle.

It doesn't break the cycle.

I also think there is a degree of choice.

Not really. It's a deviant psychological trait which is often the result of impulse where desire overides control. This lack of control is what makes them do the act.

I don't think they are entirely slaves to their sick urges.

Speaking with quite a bit of experience? Almost like you can see into the mind of a pedofile

If a few offenders were sentenced to 30 years it would make others think twice.

You could say the same to justify the death penalty. But murders still occur.

Left-wingers like yourself have been using the "it's really complicated" excuse for years as an excuse to do nothing.

Again, why is that such a problem? You, frog et al. aren't exactly the kind of people to have sympathy for Aboriginals, so why does it matter to you?

Oh and with the simplistic, redneck law and order approach america has seen a huge decline in crime over the past 20 years.

Pfft, bullshit.

 

[jimmayyy]

^you are just a grade A fuckwit, aren't you? do everyone a favour and stop posting.


as for the actual policy - long overdue and regardless of how idiots like those in the previous articles may see it, i hope it works.

 

[jimmayyy]

Pfft, bullshit.

thanks to zero tolerance, increased police patrols and what lefties like you would call "civil liberty curbing" legislation (*rolls eyes*) New York has gone from one of the most dangerous to amongst the safest cities in the world.

 

[Justin]

thanks to zero tolerance, increased police patrols and what lefties like you would call "civil liberty curbing" legislation (*rolls eyes*) New York has gone from one of the most dangerous to amongst the safest cities in the world.

That's a load of shit. Of course they are going to promote their own style of policing as being "successfull", but in reality the lowering in crime in New York has occured because of a cocaine drought, not because of Zero Tolerance policing, which is unachievable and undesirable.

If you're such an advocate for Zero Tolerance, then i'm sure you go to your local police station and demand a fine everytime you break a traffic law.

Sure, thanks for making frog's own mind up for him.

I didn't make up his mind for him. You, and Frog, are the kind of people who dislike aboriginals as a way of making your pathetic selves feel better. They are a hinderance in attaining your nationalistic fantasy.

You're full of shit. "POLITICAL PAWN", "DIVIDE AND CONQUER" (twice for some reason); you read like a terrible letter to the editor of Green Weekly.

?
And yet what i said is the truth. I know this because you didn't bother attacking it.

No, I'm not a petty idiot.

I beg to differ.

It's not ironic, it's fucking sad.

The irony being in you demanding that they get life imprisonment when their victims will grow up to be just like them. NOT in what they do you dickhead.

Criminals should be punished...

Perhaps in your pathetic mindset. Which is why i'm sure you have never broken a single law in your life, lest you be branded a criminal.

You don't believe the concept is just? You do however seem so far left the idea of justice for you is perhaps kisses and hugs for criminals, a high five and a battered sav at the local milkbar...

Yeh for sure.

America is a great country.

No it's fucking shit.

This isn't a "populist move", the inaction of the Terriritorial government and the report released less than a week ago forced the government's hand to do action.

Yes because the federal government, like you, and frog, and jimmeH! and other libertarian bleeding hearts, really REALLY REALLY care about Aboriginals. It's great to see.

Self-determination has failed them many times over... The "sit-down" money they are given crushes their desire to work and achieve.

Failed many times over? Failed at what? Keeping the aboriginals down, keeping them from sitting down, shutting up and not conforming to your nationalist fantasy?