PavelVu, what's your point?

The point is that there is no other point.
You and Joe have made all the points that need to be made.

David

Good Afternoon Gentlemen,

I believe that what's facing us is a fundamental moral
problem that has been with us since 1788. And that is - how
do we create a fairer relationship with the First Nations of
this land?

Indigenous people were not represented in the constitutional
compact that made the Commonwealth. The Constitution has not
ensured fairness and equality for Indigenous Australians.

Our Constitution confers upon parliament special powers to
racially discriminate. The High Court has confirmed that
equality is not in our constitution for the Indigenous
people. There are already race clauses in the Constitution
that divide Australians. Therefore ensuring First Nations
people to merely have a voice in their affairs - would
create a fairer relationship. It would help prevent
discrimination. It would unify, not divide.

I believe that these people should have a say when
parliament makes changes affecting their distinct rights and
interests.

It is a moral choice. It is about acknowledging that there
are people in this country whose pre-colonial heritage gives
rise to distinct rights and interests in their descendents
and these people should have a say in policies that affect
them.

This needs to be done to complete their union with their
fellow Australians. These things are not incompatible.
The First Peoples not have have "special" rights. They have
"inherent rights".

It diminishes no one to to acknowledge
and protect that unique status, in keeping with the spirit
and limits of our constitutional democracy.

All that is being asked is the recognition of the past. An
acknowledgement of what was before. A voice in matters that
affects them.

Other nations have acknowledged their first people. Australia
should be able to do the same. We should be able to make
a fairer relationship with our Indigenous People and have
renewed appreciation of an ancient culture.

We need to traverse law, history and culrture to map the
path to change.

And it looks like the current government is interested in
making that happen. Better late than never.

http://www.theconversation.com/the-government-is-committed-to-an-indigenous-voice-we-should-give-it-a-chance-to-work-126683

The problem is that the Minister Wyatt is only listening to the grey blacks, not the black blacks.

David

Hi David,

Perhaps they can lead the way.
Others may follow.

David,

I have to say that I find that sort of characterisation of mixed-ancestry Indigenous people incredibly offensive. That's my wife and kids you're slagging. Christ, as if they haven't had it bloody hard enough always trying to do the right thing.

And why do you think of them as one co-ordinated and corrupt mass ? Where's your evidence that mixed-race Indigenous people are any more corrupt or misguiding of governments than anybody else ?

Joe