This whole issue has been politised by the Prime Minister, the author of the report Rex`Wild QC has been reported as being critical of the Prime Minister's knee jerk reaction. Rex Wild is reported in The Age today(http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/pms-got-it-wrong-on-abuse-plan/2007/06/28/1182624002936.html) as suggesting a subtle approach. This matter will be still being dealt with well and truly after Mr. Howard has retired from politics.
Hopefully this is a lesson to governments of all persausions, that where infrastructure is allowed to languish, that social dysfunction can be an outcome.

Howard said that he will govern for "all of us" (but not them) a point taken up by Dr Scutt when she asks, "His message was not to 'them'. It was to us. Why?"

Howard was prepared to speak to the nation, but not to the people who will be directly affected by his actions because they are merely objects of policy. Howard's message to "us" is also a dog whistle - heavy-handedness and a contempt of rights hidden behind compassionate exterior.

Howard has yet to explain why it is necessary to remove political, social and legal rights that the rest of Australia takes for granted in order to improve the lives of people in these communituies . All we get as a justification is the slogan of a "national emergency".

Howard is speaking to us very cleverly because he can play both sides of the street: a dog whistle to those who are antagonistic towards the aboriginal community and who want to see more order imposed on "them"; and then he can shelter in the humanitarian ideal and accuse anyone of opposing any element of his plan as being destructive and heartless. Its true, he is a very clever politician

While in the more educated city, what Howard has done seemingly for our Aborigines, could be called grabbing an opportunity, in the bush it is called coming in on the grouter, which does not leave such leaders in small towns very popular.

Nevertheless, the job has been left far too long, and while fixing it, the Howard government must take an equal share of the blame for why it was not previousy done.

In fact, one could truly wish it was someone other than John Howard who is out to do the fixing, who unfortunately with his so often 'I' rather than a more sincere 'we' expression sadly makes it seem he desires most of the credit.

It is so interesting that as problems become seemingly unsurmountable in Iraq, we have the only two leaders in the world who gave national support for the US attack on the unfortunate country, still appear cocksure enough to try and ensure success on a different political wavelength - Howard's much closer to home

Rainier, you are right, that is Howard's blueprint for Aboriginal Destiny. He'll then re-establish the 1865 and 1897 legislation as Neil outlined, steal the next generation and destroy aboriginal culture, legislated genocide.

Yes, CJ, Howard is appealing to racists and fools. If Howard cared about the aboriginal problem he would have taken appropriate action 8 years ago when he received the original report. Instead he buried it, further reports and pleas by aboriginal leaders each year and continued to slash services and funding. Then just before the election, he institutes a 'shock and awe' military invasion and occupation of the NT.

If Howard was interested aboriginal problems he would have listened to aboriginal leaders and increased funding for health, education, social welfare services instead of slashing it. Yes, Bruce, Howard is again preying on the weakest and most vulnerable. As Ant said, Rex Wild QC has been critical, aghast that Howard has taken this draconian and malevolent action. As Jocelynne said, how would we feel if our neighbourhoods were invaded by the feds and military in a shock and awe operation.

Belly, I'm afraid I disagree with you about Noel Pearson. He not only doesn't understand the NT bush aboriginal culture, he looks down on them as well as the Murries and Koories. He's an 'uncle Tom' who has deserted his people and is promoting assimilation and cultural genocide. Bruce, give Rudd a chance. He had to support action, even though it's 9 years too late and the wrong type of action. You will be hearing more from the ALP when the time is right, a push for increased aboriginal health, education and social welfare services and funding and rejection of Howard's land grab plan. Howard has done an Iraq 'shock and awe' to play the race card in his wedge political ploy but has no plans to improve the aboriginal situation, just to grab the land and destroy the weak and vulnerable in his quest for continued power. He's gone too far this time. All but the fools and racists will see through this 'black children overboard' spin

I read the first paragraph of this article then closed the window. Unbelievable how anybody can be so supportive of child sexual abuse.

More evidence that the government, regardless of which party hold office, needs to get out of the culture management business. Completely out. The Aborigine should be the sole caretakers of their culture and communities and have representation with state and federal legislators. High time Australia abolished the multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. An Aboriginal community should be treated as any other community and receive the same degree of services with out exception.