aqvarivs says:

“The existence of a Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs Department with in government is criminal. It's physical and psychological enslavement through management policy of one over the other. Only the left think this is good government.”

In fact, only the right could shoot itself in the foot so badly.

In November 2001, Howard merged the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs with the Department of Reconciliation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs to form the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. This was strenuously opposed by Indigenous groups who have never been comfortable with the concept of Multiculturalism because of its inherent connection with immigration.

Howard finally broke the nexus after five controversial years when he moved Indigenous Affairs in January 2006 to the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (under Mal Brough).

As far as Multicultural Affairs is concerned, in January 2007 Howard renamed the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (Kevin Andrews the failed Minister for Workplace Relations took over this portfolio from Amanda Vanstone who is now learning Italian in Rome at taxpayer’s expense. Vanstone had replaced Ruddock in October 2003.)

Multiculturalism has been around in government bureaucracies for about 30 years and in only five of those years was it linked with Indigenous Affairs (and then only administratively). The policy links were never blended.

So aqvarivs it’s bizarre to assert as you did: “It's another fine example of your oft lauded multiculturalism at work.” It might be a help to get the basic facts and assumptions right before you shoot.

Incidentally the quote you attributed to me was from the National Indigenous Times: “With the tenacious rolling back of basic rights, the neglect of key areas such as health, housing and education and the reintroduction of the ideologies of mainstreaming and assimilation, there is little wonder those working to end Indigenous disadvantage feel that nothing will move forward until Howard and his approach to Indigenous issues are on the scrap heap."

FrankGol, get off the Howard bashing. No matter how much you write such drivel no one will believe Howard is responsible for Australian/Aboriginal realities. Multiculturalism is not a conservative methodology. It's part and parcel of the Liberal failed socialism and has proven to be as damaging and costly as the rest of the social welfare system. Howard is tying to do something. The next government will try to do something and so will the following government. All governments have tried to do something. Such doing should be left to the Aborigine.

Those outside of the Aborigine community who are also dependent on the greater society exhibit the same thinking and behavior patterns. Skin colour and cultural experiences not big factors in the overall scheme of poor life choices and management skills. Alcohol abuse, drugs, displaced families, higher incidences of sexual abuse and family violence the common denominator.

I didn't attribute anything to you but used quotes to highlight the section I took from your post. Whoever wrote it is speaking about the effects of being as a people managed by political and government policy. I'll say it again. In my opinion such attitudes and actions are criminal and equal physical and psychological enslavement through management policy of one people/group over the other. Only the left think this is good government or even government business. Most Conservatives don't want the government involved in the business of managing Aboriginal life or culture, or anyone elses culture for that matter. Multiculturalism and Indigenous Affairs is institutionalised dependency on government. Not a good thing people being institutionalised through government policy.
My facts are straight and I make no assumptions. That's your bit.

aqvarivs says:

“The existence of a Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs Department with in government is criminal. It's physical and psychological enslavement through management policy of one over the other. Only the left think this is good government.”

So I point out that there is no such Department. Hasn't been one since January 2006.

aqvarivs replies: "My facts are straight..."

Can someone ring up the PM and tell him the old Department seems to be still running? It's criminal!

Frankgol asserts,"they changed their name therefore they no longer exist. Get a grip Frank. Your defensive posture of using ridicule and obfuscation is hardly showing your years. Multiculturalism and Aboriginal Affairs are still folders with in State and Federal Governments. The government (by whichever party) can rename each and every sitting but, it is meaningless as long as government adopts a mother knows best attitude and sends the socialist into the Aboriginal communities in order to direct government policy vis a vie Indigenous affairs. Culturally or otherwise.