Articles like this always reinforce my abhorrence of the inbred racism of those of little knowledge and understanding. They express so much hate towards those forced into the situation they find themselves in, with a determination to suppress and destroy indigenous culture by whatever means they can. Yet they fail to see there own culture has destroyed the country in 200 years, less than 1/50th of the time the indigenous inhabited Australia responsibly.

There is no reason why an approach can't be found which allows indigenous lifestyles and yet offers credible work, support and services, not everyone wants to live in boxes piled on top if each other like rats. A fresh approach to welfare is the first step and that should be to giving them something to work for and in a way which incorporates their natural skills, abilities and psychology. Remote communities certainly have a much better approach to life than town camps, people of fringe camps are exploited by bureaucrats, sellers of alcohol and bad food. We also need a better approach to education for our people, so they are taught how destructive European diets are to indigenous metabolism. Until that's undertaken, we will see no change as European style society continues it's subtle genocide.

It's always a pity to see the hate filled ranters on this site babbling out holier than thou attitudes, but I suppose when you are filled with ignorant confusion, you have no other option but to attack and abuse.

I can see where the article is going, I don't necessarily agree with it and have more in common with most of the posters who have given some thought to the article.

I certainly don't agree with the posters who are hostile and isult anyone who disagrees with them, I particularly dislike the veiled threat of more "stolen generations".

Maracas and zelig, you may not agree with the other posters, but to reduce it to insults does no good for your cause at all, in fact hardens people against the aboriginal industry. Zealig, the description "ignorant, presumptious, ill-informed, lacking in respect and empathy" could certainly apply to you as well in this context.

You both seem to assume none of the other posters has a clue about outstations, you might be very wrong, you don't know but you still use bullying and insuting tactics, and then wonder why people have the attitudes they do.

The outstations either have to be self sufficient, or close, there is no other option that has not been tried, and yes, I've been to outstations and they are not nice places to live, or to educate anyone about the world, they are about survival reduced to its lowest denominator.

I agree with odo's comments on the posts by by Zelig and Maracas1.

People of their ilk always resort to abuse of people they disagree with. It is a typcial left wing crank response to their sacred beliefs. These looneys think that they have some special insight into all things. The only way to deal with these ratbags, is to give it back to them, then ignore them totally after their first ridiculous posts.

They really hate to be ignored.

I would very much like the author to visit communities and compare and contrast the challenging ones with the many successful examples that exist. What prevents all from being safe, positive places for women and children?

Women and children have been living in squalor and in constant fear for their lives for many, many years. Some have died and others have been crippled. They need shelter, safety, privacy and hygienic conditions in which to raise their children.

That is the priority and thankfully some women been courageous and determined enough to come forward to talk about the oppressive culture that exists in some camps and has always knobbled improvement. True, they feel terrible shame for their circumstances but they and their children are the victims and are they are not to blame.

These women have found a powerful champion Jenny Macklin and they are beginning to recognise that they might have a future after all.

What's my solution..Where is it flawed ?

It's flawed because we're dealing with intelligent people who have been raised outside white mainstream society who have their own culture,their own beliefs , conceptions of creation and knowledge which has enabled them to survive for millennia
They have survived, in many cases in a harsh environment where intelligent white men have perished such as our early explorers who "discovered" Australia.

It's flawed because of the lack of empathetic consultation by people not qualified to conduct consultation in an appropriate language; by people who didn't listen but pushed their pre-conceived agendas to fit the pre-conceived policies of Governments.

It's flawed because pre-conceived Government policies seek to resolve Government problems in the provision of services rather than meet the needs of the client communities

It's flawed because the collective talents,abilities & skills of the people on their outstations are often undervalued because they don't correspond with white fella employment criteria.

It's flawed because white Australia has chosen to ignore the lessons of the past. The failures which have contributed to the impoverished state of Aboriginal life in remote Australia.

And my solution ? for a start, correct the flaw

maracas - clearly you are angry, I hope you get over it and can have a good weekend regardless.

Thanks for identifying everything you believe is wrong, that is, where the flaws are, and I'm sure that list could go on and on but you are limited by space here.

You have pointed out that everything done to date is wrong and flawed, there has been consultation, payments, attempted creation of employment etc it goes on and on, and none of it works for you and none of it are you happy with.

So back to you, how do we correct the "flaw", just shouting "Fix it!, Fix it!", hasn't worked, everything every government has tried doesn't work. Screaming that everyone is stupid, hasn't worked either.

Let's attempt to find out what you believe will work, to enrich and bring harmony to the people of inland Australia.

Personally, as I've said before, I reckon if they knew what they were missing out on here in the rest of the world they would want some of it. Are we not remiss in not telling them what's going on, educating them so they can see the world through the internet, or books, film - let's face it, the internet is never going to be translated into some dead tribal language, that's asking for subsidies not even this government would do because it is just not realistic, nor timely.