"Westerners have traditionally been more interested in things like intellectual development, while Aboriginals have been interested in tribal life, which is essentially about survival and anything other than human development."

Absolutely correct. But then you go on to say that the only way to overcome this is "to sit down together as equals and work things out."

Aboriginals and mainstream Australians are not equals. You are literate, they are not. You are numerate and technologically sophisticated, they are not. So how is this dialog of equals going to happen?

To Drs. Luvvie wife, I've read stuff on the 'net by Lowitja O'Donohue and she does seem very stupid.

Look - when is mainstream Australia simply going to say, "we are sick of this stuff," and cut the whole Aboriginal Industry loose? Those who can make it, will, those who can't, won't. What's wrong with that? If this were Australia 10,000 years ago, and someone didn't hunt or gather, wouldn't the clan let them die? You bet they would.

You have no idea of who Megan is or what she knows and your high moral tone suggests you know better.

Just remember this little piece of wisdom young fella.

Whitefellas indulging in their own moral panic (and inferring that this is grassroots knowledge”) hardly counts for life experience and then its application to writing an opinion piece.

Yes I know it must make you feel good chastising an Aboriginal woman online for her opinion, but this says more about you than you appear to realize.

Its always amusing to us Murri's when whitefellas come along with quick solutions to problems they are so underqualified to make comment on beyond being white. But apparently for many (not all) this is all that’s required.

Any time you want to get out from behind your computer and put some life experience behind your big noter opinions, let me know.

Until then, S.T. F.U

CJ, I can't believe Arjay cited Sydney Piotier. OMG, i don't know whether to puke or die laughing, or both.

Pre 1967 the Commonwealth and the States both discriminated between Australians on the grounds of race.

In 1967 the People of Australia voted overwhelmingly to STOP ALL discrimination between Australians on the grounds of race, to make such discrimination unlawful.

Politicians interpret the 1967 referenda as widening their opportunities to practice racial discrimination between Australians.

The High Court has approved legislation discriminating between Australians on the grounds of race so ignoring its duty to the Sovereign Power for Australia - the Australian People, who amended their constitution with their acknowledged purpose the stopping of such practice.

Pre 1967 Australian families were seperated, segregated on basis of racial testing, post 1967 Australian families continue to be seperated, segregated on basis of racial testing.

Politicians constantly seek to widen opportunities for them to divide and rule... regardless of party.

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Paul.L

Aborigines managed to survive "us" and what "we" did to them! You and I probably wouldn't have but they did. Many aborigines had the skills to re-locate in the harshest continent on Earth and survive despite all manner of obstacles!!Their communities are disarray because of "us"! Reverse racism what rot!

There a huge social and political benefits to the aborigine's if we state loudly we're proud of them and it opens our hearts to more progressive thinking.

I am willing to support Noel Pearson ... but let's not forget we created the problems! Aborigines have had just over 200 years to change.

Our pride in aborigines will hopefully allow them slowly develop a greater feeling of self worth! Punish the offenders within their communities absolutely, end the grog and work with them to find viable solutions but do it in White Australian communities also!

Can't you see that their survival alone is a massive achievement?

Systematic abuses of people in Churches happened but we haven't sent in teams of police to troll their records to bring offenders to justice, we haven't attempted to find all the abuse victims within these other groups for treatment.Why the double standards?

Don't get me wrong... all scumbags who hurt anyone in society should be placed before the courts... Was an Ex Governer General/Archbishop forced to resign for his lack of action on these matters and did the Govt intervene to protect the other victims of the church? Did they hold a Govt enquiry? Did the Police immediately raid church premises?

If we are going to stamp out this sort of evil we have to have pro-active approaches... but we have to do it in all organisations & groups as soon as we become aware of it... regardless of colour and without fear or favour!

Let's see us do that and I will accept that we are responding correctly.

I am proud of all aborigines that they survived the lawlessness that our forebears used and I apologise for all that we have done to them over the years!

Opinionated2: "Many aborigines had the skills to re-locate in the harshest continent on Earth and survive despite all manner of obstacles! ... Their communities are disarray because of "us"! Reverse racism what rot!"

Your attitude is fundamentally racist. An 'aboriginal' child growing up in the city today, with the same resources as an average 'white' child will have achieved nothing exceptional, yet according to you they're exceptional simply because they're 'aboriginal'. A young 'white' child growing up today is completely innocent of the actions that harmed the aboriginals, yet you claim they are to blame simply because they are 'white'. Fundamentally racist.

"I am proud of all aborigines that they survived the lawlessness that our forebears used and I apologise for all that we have done to them over the years!"

*I* have not done anything to aborigines so *I* have nothing to apologise for. Yes, what was done in the past was wrong, and yes, their current situation is far from ideal, but we need to focus on moving forward with solutions to the problems rather than focusing on laying blame for past actions.

Paul.L: "Communities where there is no employment cannot continue to exist."

I think this says it all. Too much focus on the colour of their skin, and not enough focus on the practical reality of the unsustainable nature of these 'communities'.