Billya, you make many assumptions and accusations...but don't offer solutions-'the government' should make everything better. YOU are where the solution's at! You can be the problem and wait for others to solve it or you can change your attitude and position, no one else can do more than offer opportunities. I'd hope you aren't suggesting that blacks aren't given opportunities today? I'd like my children to be offered a tiny fraction of the opportunities and assistance that's offered to and rejected by, my neighbour's children in favour of illicit substance abuse and a life in and out of institutions and jails.

I've had windows broken by their last drug-induced and drunken 'adventure', which I'll have to replace when I can afford to...I can't go to the government to pay and they won't be taking responsibility.

I've not seen examples of 'aboriginal activists' achieving anything positive for aboriginals in Australia, it's been the Richie's in the population who've done immeasurable good for their own families and for the rest of the population, black and white! If anyone's 'painting' 'activists', it's themselves, and the picture isn't bright!

'government' is who-and-what-we-make-them... Until we stop voting for 'party hacks' from all-sides-of-politics, then we can expect things to get worse, not better. Throwing more money at the 'aboriginal industry' isn't the answer, treating all equally and demanding the same behaviour and responsibility from all, will go a long way to providing the dignity and mutual respect we all need, in order to make progress.

Richie mentioned change from within, looking to a higher presence for guidance and strength...acknowledging we don't have all the answers, to gain strength to keep trying and working at it, for the sake of others...not for the selfish moment of infamy that seems to be the goal of too many 'activists'. Those who've found that strength invariably seem to turn their lives around and regain their family balance and purpose again.

(tbc...)

(Cont...)
Billya, others have suffered (in many cases more) than you or I may have...I've certainly had my share. Suffering-can-make-you-better-or-bitter...which do you choose? I've stood in the street with my grandmother's hands over my face to protect me as a child while children (of neighbours) pelted us with rocks...I saw the blood from my grandmother's hands and other injuries dripping down her fingers in front of my face...no 'sorry' yet. The same day-after-day walking to school past aboriginal children who also threw rocks to hurt us. Some Australians have copped-it-from-both-sides, some choose to respond differently and be part of the solution. Which do you choose?
Yes Billya, I've experienced it and I'm still experiencing it...don't let your bitterness and anger cloud what suffering others may have carried. You can choose to lug it around or look to someone who's died to free you from burdens none of us can bear on our own.

ACTION, yes...action from YOU...leave the responsbility for the actions of others up to THEM...you look after your own side and do what you can to work, study, clean, fix, produce...whatever it is you can do to make things better for those around you. If it means planting a garden to give your children fresh veges...do it! If it means getting a few chickens to teach your children about caring for living things...do it! You want to change the world? Do the little things well and vote for someone who cares for the really important issues and believes in things enough to stand up for real values, for the preciousness of life, for the dignity of all of us!

Next birthday, buy your son-daughter-mother-father, a chicken or two...build a hen house together...even if they're 10,30,50 or 60,80...it may surprise you how much you both learn, even about each other! Enjoy the positives you have and discard the hatred and anger...work on those things you can change for the better. You've seen what happens when you wait for 'others' or 'government' to do it for you...no one can...just YOU!

Thanks Meg1
But where do you see Aboriginal representation in parliament, where do you see an Aboriginal minister in indigenous affairs? There are highly qualified Aboriginal people today that are not given these opportunities and if they are, it’s only for a very short period of time. I have no idea what you are going through with your neighbours and personal life and frankly it’s none of my business. At the end of day, everyone has solutions or ideas to fix a problem but I feel if you are committed and passionate these problems can be fixed but you cant help it when things change and funding is cut or change of government. Can you try and understand why we still have the same old issues today, it’s frustrating when you got to start all over again, and deal with the same old issues again, only with different people, going over the same processes all over again. Oh well, it will get right some day

Dear Billya,
The kingdom of man does not work. Whether it be right wing
or left wing it does not work. I can't put it more clearer than that.
God does not have grandchildren only children. It is personal one on one not impersonal he said she said ,or I think. It is about choice and free will. Believe then you see not the way of the world of see then believe. It is available to all But few follow. The price has been paid at Calvery so WHY should you expect us to pay over and over again. ALL are welcome to the wedding feast. You can't blame others for your choice. When you find yourself between a Rock and a hard place that is where you find God not on easy street.
Man builds kingdoms for HIS benefit and glory. The kingdom of God benefits all mankind. God is Love and would that none
should perish. Are you part of the answer or part of the problem your choice.
Ps I chose to follow Jesus.

Richie10,

Only god knows

Yes Billya, government spells frustration in exactly the same way for anyone who deals with changes in Ministers, governments, etc. not just aboriginal affairs...

You assume,of course, that only an aboriginal could understand aboriginal issues...I don't believe that's so. I believe there have been many dedicated politicians in parliaments across this country, it is often the party system that distorts some of them...there have been and are, good, decent independent members of the parliament who represent their own electorates and often do the same for other parts of the country where people feel disenfranchised from their own member of parliament.

You also fail to mention those aboriginal members of parliament who have served in various capacities and in various parliaments. I have met and had dealings with a number of them. One, I still remain in contact with and regard as a close family friend. I think it would be an insult to suggest that they should take on the aboriginal affairs portfolio just because they are of aboriginal descent just as it would be wrong to suggest that anyone who was part-aboriginal or non-aboriginal would be partly or wholly unsuitable.

Richie put it better than I...God only has children...that's a good example for all of us to follow...we're all His children so maybe we should be looking at one another in the way God sees us. When we vote, we need to look at who would be the better person, not what colour is his skin...does he have his heart in the right place, does he respect those he is meant to serve?

If a black man or woman were willing and capable of being the best Prime Minister this country has seen...should he/she be Minister for Aboriginal Affairs instead, because he/she's black?

(tbc...)