"What would all the good, white, handsomely remunerated public servants do if those demanding blacks regained control over the purse strings and the decision making processes concerning their people?"
Those "good white handsomely remunerated public servants" would most likely not give a stuff if the good, black, handsomely remunerated officers of any new Indigenous body regained control over the purse strings.
However the Australian electorate might have some concerns. After all it is taxpayers' money from the non-Indigenous component of Australian society that is used to fund most Indigenous activities.

Good afternoon
It was very interesting to read what Stephen had to say
I have'nt read Tom Calma's report as yet.
I do agree with proper voting, the democratic way is the only way
so from ground up in our community representatives who would like to stand up and make representation.Be voted in and so on.
you see I have a dream that one day Our Indigenous Affairs Minister
will be just that INDIGENOUS!
So brothers and sisters lets band together to make that possible
for the good of all.
Kindest regards

Stephen - okay, I'll be the difficult one. When writing something like this in an effort to persuade someone like myself (over 50 caucasian male) you want to first set out just what the report is proposing that you object to. I've glanced at the report but I'm not sure where this anti-democracy business comes from, and you don't spell it out. The only tangible point you make is that it limits women to 50 per cent of the places. I'm not persuaded that's a bad thing, but was any reason given for this in the report? Is that all you mean by not being democratic? You say that the report it perpetuates "mission station" practices. Um, why? Sorry, didn't get the point.

Then there is the late and unlamented ATSIC. Why was this organisation given the boot? Did more than a tiny fraction of eligible voters bother to vote for it? I think you'll find hardly anyone did, which makes your outrage over a lack of democracy harder to sustain.

In writing something like this a good rule is more argument and less outrage.

Unfortunately some people need to read the report in full to see what the main points are. Mr Hagan writes about his perception and highlights his main points to debate, not what you want him to say. He wrote what his objection is and if you can't see it, it's obvious you don't understand. Unfortunately Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders ALWAYS have to justify what is said. Go figure.

rubyappeal, none of that gets Hagen out of obeying the basic rules of presenting a case, which apply to all those who write these articles. ATSICers, like everyone else, have to spell things out. If they have a case I am happy to hear it, but what is it? Hagen says he has a grievence against the report and spends much of the article expressing outrage about this grievance - even dragging Afghanistan into it - but neglects to give basic details of the grievance. Your post does not help at all in that respect. So of course I don't understand. So what are the objections to the report, does nayone know?

rubyappeal,

Tom Calma is aboriginal too you know and a lot of indigenous advocates support him. Wouldn't you agree that caustic rhetoric that encourages emotional knee-jerk opposition to his hard-won report is most unfair? Here is a brief bio for Tom Calma and as you can see he has been and is a strong advocate for indigenous people:

http://www.hreoc.gov.au/about/president_commissioners/calma.html

I note that the Greens strongly support Tom Calma's report:

'The Australian Greens today welcomed the launch of the Social Justice report by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma, describing the report as a 'blueprint' for converting Kevin Rudd's apology to the stolen generations into action.

"Tom Calma's report sets out clearly the key steps the Federal Government needs to follow between now and the next election to deliver on its promises on Indigenous health, education and healing," said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

"Yet again he backs up his recommendations by pointing to a collection of success stories from community-based initiatives that have produced real outcomes for urban, rural and remote Indigenous communities."

The report calls on the Rudd Government to establish a credible national Indigenous representative body, enact a remote Indigenous education strategy, reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act, put in place a properly funded long-term plan to achieve health equality, establish a Human Rights Act and amend the Constitution.'

http://greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/tom-calmas-final-social-justice-report-a-blueprint-action-apology

I am not pushing the Greens' or Labor's barrow, just saying what about giving Tom Calma's report and recommendations a fair go. After decades of wasted effort and the loss of billions of dollars of taxpayers' money through corruption and fraud surely it is time for everyone to bet constructive and contribute, not continually carp, criticise and demolish.