Both Labor and Liberal governments are responsible for all the deep-rooted social deprivation in Aboriginal communities. Including two hundred years of genocide behind which lie deffinite economic resources and land grabbing. The accompanying genocide was to remove any future claims. In conjunction, was the hideous and terrifying plan to breed out the aboriginal component through the forced removal of their children known as the "stolen generation."

I thought this writers thoughts N. Beams far better than I could answer. "The demands for police-military intervention and harsher punishments to deal with the crisis in remote Aboriginal communities is the surest sign that the days when the capitalist order could meet social problems with reforms, however limited, have long gone. The repressive measures being prepared for impoverished Aboriginal communities will be utilised elsewhere, as the social ills generated by the current social order continue to escalate." "All the lessons of history—from the murder and dispossession that accompanied colonisation to the era of the “stolen generations”, when children were forcibly separated from their parents, through to the spate of deaths in custody in more recent times, the late Aboriginal worker and Socialist Equality Party member Yabu Bilyana would constantly warn that without the fight for a socialist program, Aboriginal people faced the prospect of a future more terrible than their past. That warning is, already, being tragically vindicated."

Both Labor and Liberal governments are responsible for all the deep-rooted social deprivation in Aboriginal communities. Including two hundred years of genocide behind which lie deffinite economic resources and land grabbing. The accompanying genocide was the way the politicians chose to remove any future claims served on the land. In conjunction, was the hideous and terrifying plan to breed out the aboriginal component through the forced removal of their children known as the "stolen generation."

I thought this writers thoughts N. Beams far better than I could answer. "The demands for police-military intervention and harsher punishments to deal with the crisis in remote Aboriginal communities is the surest sign that the days when the capitalist order could meet social problems with reforms, however limited, have long gone. The repressive measures being prepared for impoverished Aboriginal communities will be utilised elsewhere, as the social ills generated by the current social order continue to escalate." "All the lessons of history—from the murder and dispossession that accompanied colonisation to the era of the “stolen generations”, when children were forcibly separated from their parents, through to the spate of deaths in custody in more recent times, the late Aboriginal worker and Socialist Equality Party member Yabu Bilyana would constantly warn that without the fight for a socialist program, Aboriginal people faced the prospect of a future more terrible than their past. That warning is, already, being tragically vindicated."

I applaud the Kirsten Story posted on 27/12/07 - thank you.

I certainly agree with article and points of view.

The welfare and safety of children MUST be paramount - it doesn't matter what colour or creed they belong to.

The rape of the little ten year old girl from Aurukun (and previous rapes on her) demonstrates a system in total NEGLECT in protection of "our" children - whether white or coloured.

My question being - why are black children treated any different than white children?

I cannot believe the criminal justice system in QLD has a rule for "black" and "white" children in sentencing.

Noel Pearson (Indigenous Leader) told the ABC's 7.30 Report, judicial leniency towards indigenous offenders contributes to the breakdown of social norms in indigenous communities. He argued that, we will need to have a low tolerance towards crime if we want to lower the number of indigenous offenders in our prisons.

My comment to Mr Noel Pearson - it's called ZERO TOLERANCE to rape and abuse against any child within your communities is what most decent Australians demand.

Crown Prosecutor Nanette Rogers advised ABC's Lateline that the levels of sexual violence were much higher than reported.

My question being - Why are cases of rape and abuse of children falling through the gaps within the system. Why are witnesses and victims refusing to give evidence?

The Valentin Audit of policing in remote communities - says it all.....there is no level of policing provided by Government.

Unless we have more "experienced" police presence in remote communities the situation will not change.

Our current government has the chance now to "make a change" for children - our children - of indigenous communities.

I respectfully request our new government - to seek ways of fostering youth, care and protection for our young children within these communities - our leaders of tomorrow

Every aspect of the Aurukun rape case was disquieting but one aspect that I found quite disturbing and seemed to illustrate a worrying PC (if not racist) attitude in the Queensland Dept of Child Safety arose from the comments made on the ABC by the former Child Safety Officer who had been assigned to Aurukun. He said, and I'm going from memory, that the dept told him to: quote " if anybody asks you,tell them you are aboriginal - as the position is reserved for aboriginal applicants as a reserved position".
In fact, the gentleman in question was of European/Maori descent so he "looked right" in the eyes of the department and could pass as an aboriginal man.
It could be implied from this that qualifications and ability to perform in the position were not as important as skin tinting and that whilst we may acknowledge that some positions should ideally be reserved for aboriginal people of ability is it, in fact, the department's position that only white Australians need not apply no matter their qualifications and experience in areas of child safety?

I really believe that the only way we can move forward is to put previous mistakes and wrongful actions of governments and people behind us and focus on the issues with an objective constructive direction. We all know that generations before us dealt with the aboriginal problems with ill infromed and ignorant attitudes. We are now educated and informed and we need to simply get on with it without the constant reminder of the sins of our ancestors...Im not sure if saying 'sorry' is enough - if we are truely sorry we need to help by actually creating a safe enviroment for our aborignal children to grow and become positive contributors to our future society. We cannot be motivated by guilt if we are to constructively sort through these issues.

We now know that throwing money and land at the aboriginal people doesnt work - the Aboriginal people have a completely different value system to that of people of European descent. Ownership of land or material objects is not considered a priority - this is an example of many fundamental differences.

However, there is one very important value that all races hold as a prority and that is the safety of our children. The aboriginal people are in crisis and their children are in danger. We all know why the aboriginal people have allowed this to happen but we now need to start implimenting strong leadership to help rehabilitate the aboriginal culture.

The time has come where we must say that yes, our past mistakes have contributed to this appaling situation however this is not an excuse anymore. The aboriginal people and every other australian must be held responsible for their actions - regardless of any previous generational ill treatment.

Teejay
What you have described is one of the many ridiculous problems we have. Aboriginality does not guarrantee ability or qualifications....

Dear izzo,

'We now know that throwing money and land at the aboriginal people doesnt work - the Aboriginal people have a completely different value system to that of people of European descent. Ownership of land or material objects is not considered a priority - this is an example of many fundamental differences.'

I'm intrigued, no truely I'm intrigued.

Please can you point me in the direction of the surveys and scientific data that confirm these opinions.

You see I'm writing an article on just this proposition and all the material I have seen tends to indicate Indigenous people of Australia do want to own their own land, many have shown they do want houses, (in fact I've even found home ownership is a priority of many), computers, laptops (ask Kevin he'll tell you every kid needs one or two) cars, large flat screen TV's, boats, wrist watches, and even designer clothing. It might surprise you I've found information that shows many even want work. In this regard I think it an outstanding achievement many Indigenous now obtain University Degrees and are gainfully employed in many diverse areas.

So once again please lead me to the font of your knowledge. I'd love to enlighten it.

Lots of love Keith.

ps Have you ever heard of Eddie Mabo?