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.