Wonder if Graham saw latest "Lateline" (23/8) foray into unhappy goings on problems involving a school in general location of Mutijulu.
Much, much better than previous more sensationalistic effort that drew fire from "Crikey".
This viewer was really left feeling for the earnest, decent educators at the school, both white and black, messed around so badly over many years by a poorly set up system and likely incompetent, possibly even corrupt white administrator.
Both state and federal government ideology and competence was called into question this time, although not identified exactly or overtly.
But it seemed, at least Lateline was pointing its finger in the right direction this time.

Brough is a "typical" straight conservative, he is interested much more in a sense of his own prestige than the subject at hand, he will work "at" Aboriginal Australia, but he won't work "with" them.

It is yet another sad case of the general failing of conservative politics to address the needs of ordinary people, Thacherism if you like.

Thankfully the lumbering apathy of the Australian public in general is ever so slowly realising that it is worse off after a decade of this government, then it was before it arrived.

Eventually there needs to be a third force in Australian politics, which encompasses the aspirations of the majority of the Australian electorate, black, white or brindle. [no disrespect meant]

Surely the behaviour is just a bad example, bad because refutable, of politics as played.
Find a sensitive point, misuse of money, rebelling against authority, sexual miss conduct, particularly involving children, a real emotional billboard and one has current politics.
What happens to people when their belief is taken away when such are classed as the historical records indicate as savages. A common excuse for much action at the time. Then whilst exploiting these people for land or sex or just a feeling of superiority implant new system for belief add Christianity for culture impose ours. Provide those things which even the west has trouble in coping with like idleness, alcohol, loss of self esteem high sugar food and drugs and then blame the ‘savages’
Very political garners support of the red necks and saves money! Obtains votes.
This is not to deny the desirability of their personal responsibility for their actions just that the behaviour seems to be similar to that of other indigenous people round the world and demonstrating the need for time and compassion, education, not indoctrination and an understanding of the culture that is being replaced (perverted?)
Like any entrepreneurial event time for achieving the required outcome is at a premium patience in short supply idiocy rife. Read Nugget Coombs.

JC himself couldn't satisfy Graham Ring when it comes to aboriginal affairs.

Why don't we just let the aboriginals sort themselves out, sans big bad whitey? They've done soooo well in the past! Of course, they would still require scads of white mans' money to allow Mick Dodson to bad mouth whites (swearing every second word, as he does).

Leigh,
Your ignorance is absolutely breathtaking. Everyone is entitled to an opinion however next time you post on this subject could you please make it an educated opinion.

Leigh seems to be one of J Warmongers' "battlers" which is a euqphemism for "haters" of everyone not us.

I listen to Lowitja O'Donohue and Shirley Peisley here in Adelaide, two of the dearest and best loved of the elder women, and they are in a state of despair deeper than ever in their long active lives.

Mal has had me cringing in disgust with his lack of understanding of anything at all about aboriginal issues - perhaps Leigh you should apply for a job with him as you would fit well, if not him with the ultra ignorant Vanstone.

For the life of me I fail to see why Leigh thinks "blacky" should not be allowed to bad mouth "whitey" while being paid by "whitey" - in case you hadn't noticed Leigh Mick Dodson is the epitome of an Australian.

Australia' s inability and churlishness towards facing the past in our history of dispossession and cultural genocide of the aboriginal owners of this island should disgust and shame every single one of us but does not.

I just don't understand that - I feel such despair myself sometimes.

Aborigines are people with a 100,000 year culture, we refuse to say sorry for stealing their land, their children, their culture - then expect them to grovel with gratitude to morons like Mal Brough.