Ranier. Thanks for your response. I take the points you made about being the meat in a Left/Right sandwich. As a typical white boy I agree with the Howard intervention. Its a time honoured approach, swift action. But its what comes after that is key. Any end to the worst excesses of alcohol and abuses will be wasted without effective follow up of needed and wanted services.

I'm aware of the conflicting responses of indigenous people to this eg last night ABC Profile of a Mutitjulu woman (favourable) followed by the Indigenous radio show interview with a M man who disagreed. Both agreed on the importance of follow-up.

Like most people I've been trained not to pry, not to look too closely 'over there'.But in for a penny, in for a pound...

It seems that greater provision of services, increased education and job opportunities etc are inimical with Traditional lifestyle. Cultural practices on both sides are in conflict. eg arranged 'marriages' v's our romantic love ideal
the nuclear family v's the family group
land v's property.

I'm buggered if I know how these things get reconciled.

Where do you stand?

"Thank God we have a Liberal Federal Government with the sense of moral purpose.........." (Quote:Col Rouge)

You jest sire!! Is it really necessary to put up the glaring examples of 'Liberal moral purpose' decisions? Come now.

Given that comment it is understandable that those who think differently to you, are 'usual suspects crawling out of woodwork'!

How unkind! I'm way to long in the tooth to make my home in woodwork. The splinters play havoc with the derriére!!

We are one society, and as one society the abuse of children is vile. This invasion has been undertaken for political gain. (Hasn't worked has it?)

But then,this Regime is good at invading for self interest isn't it?

I do not suggest that the Opposition would do things any differently. I don't know. I DO know that it grates a little to portray the Libs as warm hearted humanitarians. They are not.

If you take a small step back you may notice the seemingly inexplicable contempt of court shown by Andrews, Kelty, Ruddock and Howard, supported by the media, in the lynching of Dr Haneef, to be a coordinated and inflated manouvre to distract the hypnotised and well fed masses from the huge theft of land being perpetrated under the banner of 'Mission Rescue Aboriginal Kids from Sex Abuse'. C'mon Aussies you surely still be cannot be so damned gullible although I know many are LIKE "Please fool me, just keep the money rolling in..." Perhaps Howard should look into the suburban white populations where alcohol,tobacco, medication, general ignorance and stupidity have been depriving white kids of REAL LOVE and Nurturing for generations forcing them to become the bland passionless automatons that their parents already are.LAND GRAB! LAND GRAB! Name the Demons and chase them out of town....