I disagree with your initiatives in relation to health.

Other amenities and infrastrucute yes your mesh system may have legs, but health is an issue for all Australians and whilst many problems wth remote communities and the like require a health service almost exclusively for Aboriginal people, by separating services such as this more money goes down the beauracratic toilet and less money is directed at the real needs. Forget the segregation, the health of Australians is an issue for the exisitng albeit poor state infrastructure, but a push for remote base hospitals and clinics even though the populations bases are low is where the need is.

The key is in a traditional owners levy, made payable in the rates of every piece of property in Australia and given back to the respective traditional owners. Whilst a small pittance for the individual landowner, the collective monies could transform Communities and provide a longevity of income to generate the required services, support programs and initiatives.

No one will listen though.

You are part of the problem. Self-empowernment is killing Indigenous people and destroying their children. Time to move over and let other's have a go.

Tony Abbott says that “each Aboriginal household receives $70,000 a year in Federal Government services and transfer payments”, yet Gavin Mooney then says that “the overall spend also needs to be radically increased”.

Mooney also says “the idea that Aboriginal people are getting more than a fair share of public funding and then wasting most of the money is a common myth”. I think it is time for Gavin to have a reality check. A family income of $70,000 is well above average. How can a Federal minister justify giving an aboriginal family so much when other Australians are entitled to so much less?

Welfare payments should be based on need, not on race.

Rob88 how about you check your facts before getting int a tizz?

ABS figures would show that each Indigenous family does not get $70,000.

Figures such as 70 grand might incorporate an average of the overall spending which probably inclues any such meetings that might relate to or mention Indigenous issues. This would include minister and public servants travel and accomadation expenses, their meals etc.

If you seriously believe that each Indigenous family gets 70 grand you must also believe in the tooth fairy and children overboard.

It is possible that you might be suffering from a dis-ease called Downward Envy. It is treatable by education :)

Gavin Mooney states “they know what the solutions are.”

THEN WHY ON EARTH ARE THEY NOT IMPLEMENTING THEM?

Tony Abbots “paternalistic” model is a reaction to the disaster which has emanated from the “cultural values” which Gavin wants to enshrine.

To suggest “They need support to rebuild their communities in the way that they want according to their cultural values.”

Is a contradiction in terms.

That is, if we accept that “cultural values” are what hold a community together, suggesting they need support to rebuild, admits that there are no “cultural values” left.

Then we come to “MESH”, Well “management, economic, social and human” a cute name for what exactly?

Over-subsidised cargo cult attitude toward all things material, eroding the dignity (YES DIGNITY) found from personal effort, determination and the knowledge that what has been done has been done by self sacrifice for love?

I figure” Social and Human Aboriginal Management” could be an equally accurate title as “MESH” and certainly more appropriate when using the initials to produce an acronym.

I also believe no one will ever find self respect, independence or any sense of “cultural value” through being pandered to

It seems to me that Aboriginals need to start small if they're going to achieve anything at all. That's because so many of them are so far down the toilet that, realistically, anything more is unachievable. For that reason I reckon MESH is pitched far too high to be of any value at the current time.

Best for Aboriginals if they start from their strengths, no matter how basic, and build up from there. Once they get something established, they can use this as leverage for something better. Then, maybe ideas like MESH could come into their own.