Joe. The city mob get all the perks that go with Abstudy. These are fairly considerable if someone is studying at university. That puts them ahead of the bush blacks and the non aboriginals.
Foxy, I haven't heard any public comments from Marcia or any of the other leaders except Jacinta Price about the black killing black problem. It wasn't included in the Statement from the heart either.
David

David,

First I've heard of it. ABSTUDY is the same as AUSTUDY these days and has been for decades. As for perks, I recall remote students having two interstate trips each year, to and from uni. Fair enough.

But I can't think what perks city people would have got that weren't also available, plus others, to students from interstate and remote areas.

Joe

I think that the same people who voted for marriage
equality would vote for the Voice, because it's
obvious that Aboriginal people should have a say in
what's happening to them.

As Professor Marcia Langton tells us:

"I believe that Australia is at a tipping point -
that a representative body and eventually constitutional
recognition of First Nations people might be just a
heartbeat away, and could change the country for the
better".

"Why would you not want to have a modern Australia founded on
65,000 years of (Aboriginal) histories and societies,
then the addition of the British institutions, and then
multiculturalism? Australia will come of age when all those
things are recognised, and it will happen. You can't ignore
the obvious forever".

Can there be a way to change the direction and nature of 'the conversation'?

BLM is not really all that relevant to our Oz situation - save for the definite problem of the excessive/over-representative Indigenous incarceration rate - and moves are being made to correct this, from a judicial aspect at least. Rates of unacceptable bad behaviour are another matter, and is warranting considerable attention - white, black, orange or green.
The rate of deaths in custody appears no more significant than that of whites in custody, and with no indication of rampant abuse by 'staff' in either case - but still warranting corrective action, including more composure and understanding by police and custodial staff of individual circumstance, health issues and potential substance impacts.

We learn much from history, not always beneficial, but, Democracy and architecture from the Greeks, indoor plumbing, roads and aqua-ducts and more architecture from the Romans, numbering system and much scientific investigation and more architecture from the Middle East, fireworks, porcelain and much more from China - etc ad infinitum.

Would China be the same if not for Genghis Khan, Europe minus Attila the Hun, Britain minus the Vikings and Normans, India minus British colonialism, various Indigenous peoples minus Missionaries, or Indonesia minus the Portuguese, the Dutch and Muslim Traders?

Certainly Oz would be different if not for Cook, Phillip, British convicts and free-settlers, plus more recently so many others from a constellation of cultures, ethnicities, religions and skills.

How far back should we delve to find benefit or detriment? Perhaps all progress is not without some pain and disruption. So, how to assess ultimate 'benefit' - from the veritable kaleidoscope of individual perspectives, interests and 'heritage'?

A new conversation may be in order, with a broader, more inclusive, and less overly 'personalized' perspective.
Please, may sanity reign, the kitchen sink saved, the hatchet buried, and all parties content - if not leaping with joy.

Dear Saltpetre,

I think we are at the crossroads of a new conversation.
That's what is being attempted between the government
and the Senior Advisory Group. A whole new conversation
about inclusion not division. Properly understood -
what is being offered is a way forward.

We shall have to wait and see what if any - the outcomes
will be. But I am hopeful that this time something
positive will come out of all this for everyone.

The pointlessness of 'community' life:

http://ntindependent.com.au/father-who-bashed-partner-while-she-was-holding-their-infant-son-escapes-jail/

Perhaps someone can explain that in simple language. It would be interesting to follow this case to see if the bloke rehabilitates himself. Anybody want to put a bet on it ?

I wonder if this is happening in urban environments.

Joe