"Historically schemes which saw public houses transferred to Indigenous ownership have failed because they did not lead to a change in behaviour and an increased sense of responsibility. When people are given some choice and a degree of control over the construction of their house, they feel a greater sense of ownership than if the houses are simply given to them"

Yeah well - the "culture" ( that word that the PC set keeps bleating when it suits but as soon as it doesn't the "racism" word comes out) of these people is NOT one of "permanent" housing. They were nomadic hunter gatherers who constructed rudimentry shelters. Today in a stage of transition there are those still coming to terms with the concept of solid structures and staying put (and the shift in behaviour this requires - eg. upkeep, waste management), those who are no more than neanderthal vandals and everyone in between.

Then again there are those who embrace contempory society and lead ordinary productive lives within wider communities - but we don't hear much about these 'aboriginals' because they are no longer 'victims'.

Perhaps the solution is to construct very large sheds, one end enclosed with (industrial strength)kitchen and bathroom facilities and the rest of the space left bare so that the occupants can 'camp' have their fires etc. One for every family group as determined by the community.

If smaller 'nuclear' families wish to upgrade to whitey housing, let that be negotiable. If houses get wrecked - don't replace them. Let the culprits live under the shed until they can rebuild at own expense.

Hey now - that would a good and fair solution for every one who abuses the taxpayer funded public housing scheme. Bring it on! One such facility in every suburb .... Great for the homeless as well.

B@$t@&d Devine_msm I was halfway through my post when I read yours. I would have been up for plagueism. Though I would have be a little less PC or inappropriate. That course wasn't available (or thought of)when I went to school.
We do have the same problem with the ferals in rented properties, as seen on Current Affairs programs, as well. These people need to be forcably re educated.

when you don't work to pay for something you rarely respect it. That is largely why aboriginal housing is often trashed. I have seen this first hand many times over. Whether it is setting up aid agency 420 in order to allow people to spend their pay (dole money) on alcohol or giving new 4wd's only to be abandoned the principle remains the same. There is in fact little despair when prison is often a more pleasant place than the house you live in has been trashed and food is scarce because money has been blown. As long as we keep playing pc games in order to grandstand before the inept UN throwing untold more billions won't fix the housing problem. Generally the workers among the indigenous respect things like any other workers. Unfortunately many family members don't. Making vandal proof housing is just a challenge to many to work out how they can destroy them especially when you are nomadic and have intention of staying only as long as the current relationship last.

No truer words that what Sue finishes with:

'It is time to abandon the failed policies of the past and try something new.' Don't hold your breath with a Government with more spin than any other for a long long time.

Runner's points are pretty bang-on. Goodwill, optimism and substance moderation helps most people to respect community assets. However, some unfortunate folk just can't help but foul everybody's nest. For them, the responsibility of personal ownership, provided by savings from their own industry, may be the best answer.

At the rate we spend money on committees, flying everyone with an opinion around the country, reporting, more meetings and on and on the gravy train goes with nothing at all resembling a solution coming out.

We could just get Marriott or Hilton to build big 5-Star hotels here and there, have the indigenous ones move in and be waited on hand and foot, board and lodging for free.

While another hotel is built next door to move into every few years as the old one is trashed and needs refurbishment.

So housing and employment will be created.

let's face it, we'll never get out of the current cycle of trying to get indigenous people to "become responsible" by our measurements, so if we really want to look after them - why not give this a go.

At least all the hand wringing about the conditions they live in will stop.

Also, the gravy train stops and the money gets spent, and accounted for, wisely.

Sorry if this offends anyone, but it's just my opinion.

You people just don't see the reasons behind why these projects fail.
The indig people have only a couple of generations of urban living.
They are embedded in culture that that did not require a permanent house.
The only indig that do reasonably well are the crossbreads, and the more the better.
The true indig is as far away as you can get from urban life.
They just don't understand that you have got to go to work to make a living.
As i have said before the only hope for the young people is separation from their elders.
You can not live an indig lifestyle and be an urban dweller at the same time.
All of this so called help has got is booze drugs petrol and paint can sniffers.
It's all about their culture
To help a real indig is to destroy their culture.