There is no kind of social worker other than a “misguided social worker”. Their ability to suit themselves with impunity has always been a great danger to children, both black and white. Every day, there is enough evidence produced by the media to require that social workers be brought to book for their negligence and or ideologically driven stupidity. It appears that Ministers supposed to be overseeing them don’t care, or are too gutless, to make them answer for their appalling decisions.

The grossly politically correct statement of the Queensland premier about respecting “cultural and ethnic diversity and different values about family life and child rearing” indicates that proper supervision of social workers will never occur.

Culture and diversity has nothing to do with how children are treated in Australia. The law is the law, and it should apply to everyone

For reasons best known to himself, Mr Kennelly perpetuates a false dichotomy; but support for a child's family and culture is not the antithesis of prevention of harm to the child.

The Practice Manual of the Department of Child Safety, first applied in 2004, does not show - as claimed by Kennelly - "the adherence to cultural issues ahead of child safety...".

I wonder if Kennelly bothered to read the text.

The Manual is quite explicit: "The Child Protection Act 1999, section 14(2), imposes a legislative obligation on the department to notify the QPS regarding allegations of harm to children that may have involved the commission of a criminal offence relating to the child. The Child Protection Act 1999, section 14(2), states, 'If the chief executive reasonably believes alleged harm may have involved the commission of a criminal offence relating to the child, the chief executive must immediately give details of the alleged harm to the police commissioner'.

"...Any other information received during intake, an investigation and assessment or ongoing intervention, relating to a possible criminal offence committed by a person, that may impact on the well-being of the child, is to be notified to the QPS. This is to occur regardless of whether or not the alleged perpetrator is a member of the child's family and regardless of whether the department intends to take any action in response to the allegation of harm. For example, information about a child may not meet the threshold for recording a notification, but may have involved the commission of a criminal offence or criminal activity that may impact the child, and should be forwarded immediately to the QPS."

I know some media like a sexy story, but let's stick to the facts, eh?.

Perhaps you can then explain why the child in question was returned to a disfunctional family.

David

'How close is this statement to the thinking and arguments described in Koch's article as rubbish?'

Answer, not at all. Nor are public servants or government agencies supposed to follow general principles mindlessly.

A useful article that has flushed out one excuse comment for what has been happening. There is no excuse for what is taking place. Our society is guilty as sin in allowing children and women to be treated like this. A wonderful place is Australia - we have actively encouraged wicked behaviour on the altar of political correctness, we continue that encouragement, we oppose actions such as those taken by the previous Federal Government to try to ease the burden on Aboriginees in the Northern Territory and, as a final emetic, we are going to see our goody two shoes Prime Minister 'apologise' for the actions of people in the past which were far less evil than what is happening now.

I feel both sick and ashamed that we condemn and entrap fellow Australians to a life of squalor and ignorance on the evil cross of 'cultural respect'. The PC Left will be seen in 20 years time as a group that is essentially ignorant, uncaring and racist.

For whats happening exists no excuse, governments - particularly federal government are guilty for allowing any person to be so treated.

Such behavior particularly ignoring such behavior is encouraged for political correctness.

Claims of opposition to actions taken by Brough and Howard to improve life for families, are crocodile tears.

Particularly relating to Northern Territory where Commonwealth despite claiming no constitutional power to pass laws re Aboriginals, did continue merrily restricting rights held as Australians using the word Aboriginal.

PM Rudd may 'apologise' for some actions, effecting some people, causing them some suffering, however such apologies will do little except feed industries constructed from encouraging separation of people, by stressing what makes us different.

Claims this relates to actions "in the past" demonstrates lack of understanding - more likely unpreparedness, to accept realities of what happens around so many communities today !

All Australians, all civilized people, should feel ashamed about condemning fellow human beings to lives of squalor, ignorance and severely restricted future opportunities with excuse of 'cross cultural respect'.

Whilst PC Left may in 20 years be recognized as essentially ignorant, uncaring and racist, concern now needs be towards our politicians in office today so determined to keep in place barriers to achieving maximum potential in each of our children with excuse of 'cross cultural respect'.

Am member of a segregated family, not separated just segregated, our Central Land Council denies "Traditional Owners" their otherwise held basic human right to reside together as a family in their family home.

Despite CLC's belated acknowledgment to NT Supreme Court members of our family held "Traditional Owner" status at Kintore the CLC still denies us our right to live together as a family, along with our right to have family, friends or tradespeople visit us... unless we ask for permission through them.

NT Supreme Court ordered a stay of proceedings after failed attempts to negotiate resolution, the stay because of ongoing denial of legal assistance -thus our representation, which continues.

p.

When the rights of an individual contradict any “group rights” including preservation of this or that “culture” then the individual right MUST prevail and be protected by laws. Otherwise we’ll eventually end up as nothing but tribal savages as in former Yugoslavia or old Scotland (my ancestors!!) or modern Kenya. We’ve seen group rights in action in Wadeye – hoons fighting each other for “their own”. I agree 100% with correspondents who have condemned social engineering but it’s silly to call social engineering “Left”. How would the social engineering experiment that created the stolen generation line up on any mythical “left-right” scale? And yes the Government SHOULD apologise on behalf of the perpetrators who dragged kids away from their parents – and also name and shame them. And Jenny Macklin is quite wrong to deny the right to individual compensation and instead blather on about putting the funds into social engineering to eliminate group differences.

I cannot think of any government than our recent and present ones (Howard, Rudd, Bligh) more motivated to "fix" the problems of our indigenous people. But the situation requires more than the wisdom of Solomon. Laying blame on poor old social workers (who in the large majority sincerely strive with great devotion for the well being of their clients), or on government department policy statements that express ideal principles, seems to me to be unproductive. There have been some bad people and some bad policies, but the vast majority of those who risk their reputations in being involved in the situation are fair dinkum and commendable people. So how do we go about protecting children from abominations, how do we make it possible for indigenous people to have a wider range of choice for their lives, how do we respect culture and yet incorporate people into the mainstream - if that be their choice? Frankly, I don't know the answers and I suspect neither does anyone else. So we need goodwill, willingness to venture with new policies, careful evaluation of the outcomes, and readiness to try something new if things don't improve, and lots of patience. But let us cut out the blame and scapegoating.

When are we going to get away from all the BS about the "Stolen Generation" and start referring to them as the "Abandoned Generation". We owe them no apologies for rescuing them from their abandonment. The apology should rather be made for the way many were treated in the institutions into which they were thrust. That is all, as far as they are concerned.

Until we get past this recrimination for past wrongs, then the reluctance of the current bureaucracy to act in the interests of the present group of children at risk will be perpetuated. These children also need to be "rescued". If aboriginals want to be given better treatment, then those in the dysfunctional settlements also need to lift their game as those in many other settlements already have. The ball is in their court. There is only a limited amount that the rest of the community can do to help them. The previous government should be commended for doing something and hopefully the new lot will continue.

David

It never fails to amaze that educated, intelligent people try to make out a case that all cultures are equal and therefore respect must be inherent in making any judgement as to outcomes flowing from any aspect of the implementation of the culture in question. Does this mean that the (say) murder of prisoners of war at the hands of the Japanese during WW2 implies that aspect of behaviour sanctioned by Japanese cultural traits should have been forgiven and indeed sanctioned by Japan's wartime opponents? In contemporary times, does cultural respect mean that whaling by the Japanese should not be subject to the criticism of late? Similarly, should certain cultural practices unique to Australian Aboriginal culture but otherwise abhorent to other cultures be sanctioned simply because of Aboriginal cultural demands? If the answer to these question can rationally said to be yes, God help people of all cultures for it would mean anything is beyond sanction and all acts are equally valid and moral.

Lucius

You write
'It never fails to amaze that educated, intelligent people try to make out a case that all cultures are equal and therefore respect must be inherent in making any judgement as to outcomes flowing from any aspect of the implementation of the culture in question.' This is the only logical conclusion for those who reject absolutes and yet those who reject absolutes are totally dogmatic about their own belief system. It is sad and amusing to read and listen to people trying to defend the indefensible. Thankfully people like Noel Pearson is one who has the guts to call a spade a spade. The aboriginal industry that hides behind culture should be ashamed along with the white loathing academics that has helped to create the child abuse situation we now have in epidemic numbers.

Keith,

Good one mate!

I won't engage with the rabble here appear to go balistic from just reading the word 'Aboriginal'. (poor buggers)
I'll write to you direct.

Leigh every words so true, and we are speaking of my side of politics that child was betrayed so many times.
One day we will be able to debate the issue without fear caring will see you called racist.
Without denying fear of the stolen generation keeps children in homes not fit for dogs.
Here in this forum uninformed have called me racist for highlighting the effects of no education on some from this community.
Yet many times I have openly cried because of children far from outback community's who have been raped bashed and not fed in such homes.
While I look forward to Rudd's speech just maybe some who oppose accountability from us all owe far more of an apology than most.
Are we to forever swap insults and ideas about the dreadful lives some have?
Or can we understand it is true and like it or not it shames us all.

hi to all the forgotten australians , my biff is why is the stolen genration being acknowledege and not the forgotten australians ,as we as just as equal to the stolen generation we were victims of the most horriffic crimes against children whilst in institutional care ,as were those of the stolen generation , so why can mr rudd not say sorry to us victims that are still living our nightmares ,there were aborigines in these institutions as well as other nationalalities whether black white brindle pink yellow ,i could go on , the forgotten australians are just important as the stolen generation ,if its good to say sorry to the aboriginies it should be good enough to say sorry to us FORGOTTEN AUSTRALIANS kind regards micheal a real victim of institutioal abuse by staff members im a FORGOTTEN AUSTRALIAN and i will not be forgotten ,

Any child any color child abuse is wrong, welfare fails us and them nearly every time.
Why do we let it happen? just maybe we are not brave enough to say this must end now.
If justice is blind it need not be stupid too we see tragic events daily all over pour country.
Some within welfare have lost or never had the drive to get things done.
A child's welfare should be blind to race color and culture, no child should suffer forever because some adults hold views they would not yet understand.

Winston was correct that it’s silly to call social engineering “Left”, occasionally we all give in to temptation ;-)

Seems to escape many (of the "Left" variety?) how reality is like a circle, we all starting at the top full of hope, then we drift off one way or another, the Left headed off to extremes of the left, the Right headed off to extremes of the right, history shows both sides eventually meet up down the bottom, sadly all to often dragging everyone else down with them.

Parliament is wrong to deny individuals their rights to individual compensation, for then it is not compensation, compensation must be to who lost, for them to spend how they wish...

The most denied democratic right is the right to be stupid !

BTW many compensation recipients are required to repay Centrelink when eventually received their payout, so will this happen ?

Compensation paid into government endorsed social engineering is government stealing money.

Such people should at least be honest, admit their rationale is their belief these individuals are NOT capable of looking after themselves so need assistance of government workers to guide them, to assist them... because they are Aboriginal.


Has anything really changed ?

The majority people who's reputations were slagged for creating the abandoned/stolen generation were fair dinkum or commendable people doing their best in accordance with government guidelines to assist people.

History is the story of abhorent practices in all cultures, sanctioned simply for being previous cultural demands, until civilisation and time eradicates past acceptance of such practices.

Problem with campaign about _The_ "Stolen Generation" arises from the word "Aboriginal", the same term used by government to justify its own racist behavior previously and today.

Government, Parliament along with their racist and totalitarian supporters continue to justify treating Australians differently, continue to qualify all our rights and responsibilities on the grounds of race, one thing Australian people so clearly did not, do not, want.

.

Quran surah 65:4 allows the sexual use of pre-pubescent children, and there 'disposal' by divorce.

Disagree ?

Try this.

http://www.tafheem.net/main.html

look on left sidebar and scroll to At Talaaq (65) then click on that.

scroll down to major heading '65:4' (with green background and arabic writing) and read the whole discussion...then see this mans conclusion based on the major scholars of Islam. Scroll to 'paragraph 13'

HIS CONCLUSION.

<<Therefore, making mention of the waiting-period for the girls who have not yet menstruated, clearly proves that it is not only permissible to give away the girl in marriage at this age but it is also pemssible for the husband to consummate marriage with her. Now, obviously no Muslim has the right to forbid a thing which the Qur'an has held as permissible.>>

MY CONCLUSION.
How...HOW..can any serious minded person respect.. THIS culture?

Is this 'whack-a-mozzie' or.. exposing a culture of child abuse?

A bit late,however, Michelle sends this message. Child abuse, the grislyest of crimes against children.

BEFORE I DIE (again)

Before I die, (again), may desire at last rise as the tide to vanquish childhood memory that scream from the void of my inner being, clenched in the fists of guilt and anguish so tightly, fearing exposure. Where, in that void they cling so defiantly and selfishly, harbouring atrocious secrets, that whip and stab at will. Pain transformed from afflictions past, embossed to the fabric of emotion, bearing the face of child so small. A child so trapped so stifled.

A void where conscious and unconscious alike permeate to confuse outcomes. They fool each other with identity crisis, those memories, acting as sounding boards they dwell like demons in the cavernous and dark corners of the mind; as if minding the mind. There dwelling, in defiance of pharmacology, to silence or release them. The scream that begs to spill those memories, along the winding road of life, vacuum sealed. Safe.

So comfortably hidden away and defiant, living on in the empty shell called my heart. A place devoid now of garden and flowers, too bleak to sprout new season buds. Poisoned ground, on which falls the salted water of tears from grey clouds of despond, dispatched by the Gods of doom with sick humour. Fictitious nourishing agents, reviled by new life.

In a land where perpetual winter of sorrow and pain, strip away all vestiges of love and comfort. There, no hope dwells, and I, like a twisted and gnarled branch, grown inwards, have fallen defenceless, entranced; turned as Lot to a pillar of salt, ever to gaze into a beating and beaten childhood heart. Abandoned by deaths reaper; enveloped in blackness, strolling eternally through a museum of horrors, a fallen victim of child abuse. Lost, the child within.


MICHELLE