Here we go again. Why does it have to be the responsibility of the police, welfare agencies etc. etc. etc. Can't you people see that it is up to your own communities to take charge of your own lives and be responsible for yourselves.

It is no wonder that the white community think you are a bunch of drongos. We are all individually responsible for own own destiny. Take charge of your own lives as did the bloke in the story that I pointed to. Stop blaming others for your troubles. Come to the realisation that you no longer are a tribe of hunter/gatherers living in the dreamtime. Stop hiding behind all the tribal law BS and punish those who are responsible for the misdeeds. Wean yourselves off the welfare teat and get your acts together, then you can hold your heads up again.

Cornflower, oh god, you almost got me. You're a young liberal aren't you! LOL

For a minute there i thought you might be someone who has actually knew something.

Move along lad, you're wasting my time.

Rainier

With few exceptions, people who respond to OLO articles do so in the honest belief that they can contribute to the understanding of all.

You know nothing about me yet you assume the worst and you have made every attempt to abuse and discourage me from contributing to this article. However the article was written to persuade people to a particular point of view and to get a reaction.

For my part, I have cautioned against disrupting the Minister's visits. He is there to learn and constructive criticism of policy could ensure he completes his visits as a well-informed champion for indigenous people.

Also, attempted intimidation of the Minister through rabble-rousing or mobbing would flag to the downtrodden that their circumstances are indeed hopeless, thus rendering it more unlikely that they would come forward to seek counselling, support and relief from the crimes being committed against them.

The incidence of abuse and neglect of children in some indigenous communities is of nightmare proportions and it is growing. Because abuse and neglect are a normal part of life for many and it is systemic, corrective action cannot be taken from within. To have any chance of success, it must come from outside. Self governance cannot be contemplated while responsibility and accountability are absent and lawlessness abounds. Self governance got some communities into this mess.

Further, customary imperatives cannot be given priority where they could result in harm to those who are vulnerable or cannot stand up for themselves. It is not only women and children who lead limited, mean lives because bullies get away with murder, there are many men too who have had enough too.

Of course indigenous people have to take responsibility for the outcomes of their own behaviour, but how can the victims of abuse and violence learn there is anything different in life when their persecutors can take advantage with impunity and from behind the veil offered by secluded communities?

The worst service anyone could do to victims of abuse is to encourage them to distrust and fear those who could help them.

Cornflower, you obviously get some d hermeneutic enjoyment in writing and then reading your own gospel on what you think Aboriginal people and communities should or should not do.

Perhaps you're just trying to piss me off? It doesn't work.

Perhaps you're just unable to come up with any original thought? Well that’s plainly clear.

You've repeated yourself so much that you don't even appear to realise it. Are you the full quid?

As for not knowing anything about you - you've revealed enough for me to know that you know very little.

I think that as an Aboriginal man with many years experience on these matters I'm well qualified to determine when I see and read the idea’s of ‘dud’.

Line up in the queue, you've got plenty of company ahead of you.

My advice is that you read more broadly, speak to some Aboriginal leaders and community people and get some real life experience from which you can engage in discussions such as this. Until you’ve reached an appropriate level of knowledge on these matters, you’re opinions are nothing more than naïve hairy chest beatings.

End of discussion

Rainier

Blustering and bullying gets you nowhere. You are stuck in a rut.
If you have nothing more to learn or contribute then so be it, but why not move yourelf and your baggage out of the way and let others have a go?

An increasing number of indigenous people will take opportunities move forward if they can get relief from the oppressive culture of abuse and bullying that is presently rife in their communities.

The wellbeing and education of children and mothers must be the priority otherwise the cycle of damage will continue through successive generations. Indigenous men have been hogging the centre stage for years so it is time to let women and children through to take a turn.

anytime you'd like to jump from outside your computer and 'visit' a community let me know. Until then, try pulling your head out from you're rear end. Vaseline helps.