The animals who raped the 10 year old child should, of course, now be in jail. So should the idiot judge. She is a disgrace to her profession and to her gender. And let's not forget the moronic prosecutor.

As for the future of Aurukun,there isn't one. It, and remote communities like it, are merely degrading 'black's camps' under a more acceptable name.

While aborigines live in these dreadful places, the savagery and abuse will continue.

Leigh white's continue to place them in these camps without adequate resources so they can steal their resources ( bauxite) this is the real disgrace. Anyway in Klu Klux Clan Nth Queensland no Indigenous person is going to be treated fairly under white law.

Stephen once again you have demonstrated your complete lack of understanding of the issues in which northern Indigenous people have to face in communities where law and order is based on the colour of your skin.

Had these mongrels done this to a white child they would have been in prison long ago, because the child was black these mongrels got away with it because white law implied this child had agreed to the rape.

Further to your ignorance you suggest that the Mayor of the community should read some book to gain insight into the problems in the community. Most of the people on the community havn't had the benefit of you education in the south and so english written and spoken is difficult for them and even so they don't have public librarys to get the books from in the first place

I find myself in the position where I agree with Stephen Hagan's article and Yindin's criticisms of it. Fortunately the two are not contradictory, but rather the latter is an effective elaboration of the former. Well done to both of you.

What is really encouraging in Steve's article is the spotlight he puts on Ken Henry's excellent speech and the listed recommendations.

It is a sign that Australia may be on the verge of a significant shift in its ability to respond to Indigenous issues when the Treasury Secretary is motivated to stick his head out in public and not only espouse such a progressive agenda for Indignous justice but also get it so right.

Thanks for bringing it to our attention Steve.

"What is the future for Aurukun and other remote Indigenous communities which seem to be incapable of policing their own citizens?"

This pretty much says it all.

It goes to the heart of the underlying matter... a patronising 'who will tame the hethens' sort of attitude thats widespread in this country and goes all the way back to the fundamental ethos of all colonising nations of the past. ie we know best, you are uncivilised savages, look here's the proof.

The angst ridden self immolation is a direct result of disconnection from their own way, their heritage, foist upon them by those of us who only respect our own ways.

The essence of the problems is in the following grabs from the above quote...

..."What is the(ir) future"... thats right its for us to decide this,

..."seem to be incapable"... see, they've proved they need our steady hand,

..."policing their own citizens"... yep, hit them with the 'you are a possession/citizen" stick, beholden to some nebulous concept weilded by those who know best and of course its 'their' problem. Lets forget that we're all in it together. This reflects on them, not a wider, all inclusive malaise.

Pityfull.

OK Trade215, let us hear some constructive suggestions from you. If you don't want to hear white solutions, then let us hear some black solutions. people like Stephan are in a better position than most to make suggestions as to what should be done. We keep hearing about what should have been done in the past, but we now need to hear what should be done in the future and if black leaders are not going to accept some responsibility for their own future then what hope do you think they have.