As a celebration of Aboriginal culture the 25th annual Garma Festival held over four days at Gulkula NT, home of the Yolnu people has been a complete success as it wraps up today.

Prime Minister Albanese used his fourth appearance at Garma as PM to deliver the keynote address. The PM unveiled the government's plan for "long-term prosperity" in Indigenous communities across the country. Following the set back of the Voice to Parliament referendum, some Aboriginal leaders have called for that failure to be put behind us as we look for a better way forward on indigenous issues. Other leaders are critical of the governments for its failure to tackle those critical issues, one saying; “There are no surprises (here), we are at the same place we were in in March. The status quo. No real progress.” The comments come after the latest 'Closing the Gap' data shows key targets, including youth and adult imprisonment rates, children in out-of-home care, suicide and childhood development continuing to worsen, and just four of 19 measures are on track to be met.

As some in politics continuing the culture wars on Aboriginal issues, like the conservative NT and Queensland governments with their, "lock em' up" philosophy, and "they deserve no better" attitude, can real progress be possible. There are some who are trying to find that better way forward, but still progress seems to be agonizingly slow.

"The comments come after the latest 'Closing the Gap' data shows key targets, including youth and adult imprisonment rates, children in out-of-home care, suicide and childhood development continuing to worsen, and just four of 19 measures are on track to be met."

I'm with Paul here. We need to do something about the aboriginal incarceration rates. I did some checking and it seems that 34% of all aboriginals in prison in the NT are there for domestic violence offences. So it seems clear that to dramatically reduce the aboriginal lockup rate we need to legalise, or at least decriminalise, aboriginal domestic violence.

Sure the aboriginal women will suffer big time, but they've been beaten up for millennia. So just a return to their cultural roots. A small price to pay to keep their men out of prison.

Now I know that some will say aboriginal men need to be punished for bashing their wives and kids, but we are never going to Close the Gap with that type of thinking.

Trunpster,

As per usual, your sarcastic comments when it comes to anything relating to Aboriginal Australians. No one condones domestic violence in any community, white or black. The lock em' up and throw away the key attitude helps no one. Very nasty on your part, but to be expected from an intolerant white supremacists. Agree?

"The lock em' up and throw away the key attitude helps no one.'

So you're in favour of a policy that doesn't lock up those who bash the wife and kids?

"The lock em' up and throw away the key attitude helps no one.'
It may not be the best way to go but show me a better way to live life at this time. Living behind copius amounts of barb wire, lights, cameras, alarms on all doors and windows, not going out of a night time, car vandalised, this is just me. Millions of dollars damage and vandalism over the last few years and to date very little done to curb these problems. At least when they are locked up they are not causing more problems on the outside. To all of those saying it is not right, just head outback and look after these kids as the parents wont, and I can guarantee you wont do it for long either. No sympathy from me.

mhaze,

There’s no satire in inventing a policy no one suggested and pretending others support it. That’s a straw man, not sarcasm.

No one here has argued for excusing domestic violence. The question is why Aboriginal communities are so over-incarcerated compared to non-Indigenous Australians, and why so little is invested in breaking cycles of violence before they reach prison walls.

A serious discussion would be about funding refuges, improving youth outreach, tackling alcohol abuse, and supporting education - not pretending the only two options are “lock them all up” or “legalise wife beating.”

That’s not debate. It’s bait.