Suzeonline

Agree that getting bogged down into the impact of white settlement on Aboriginal culture is a debate for another thread. That anyone can seriously claim there was no impact - well Cornflower is an expert at the 'bait and switch'.

I, too have reservations about adopting a tribal culture of separation of roles and responsibilities of the sexes. It is something from our past which worked to some extent in smaller populations. Nothing whistler has said convinces me otherwise.

For example, when I asked if the practice of giving young girls to male elders for marriage, whistler completely hedged around a straightforward 'yes' or 'no'. Instead I got a lot of waffle about whatever the female leaders would agree to. Not exactly reassuring; in other cultures elder females go along with female circumcision.

As for your point, "I believe we currently have a men's legislature, and that hasn't been very successful. How about just having a women's legislature by itself? Couldn't do any worse really, could it?".

Apart from giving me a laugh, I agree it wouldn't be worse, but it sure wouldn't be any better.

People need equitable representation in law, politics, business and domestic issues. We know that division hasn't and isn't working.

My understanding of what's proposed (have I got this right or am I missing key aspects of this?)

1/ Representation based on around 250 local communities
2/ Those local communities print their own currency and appoint and fund their representatives.
3/ Separate mens and womens legislatures
3/ Some mechanism so that laws passed are by agreement between the legislatures
4/ Oversight by a group of elders who have hopefully gained empathy due to their age
5/ Separate courts for men and women

R0bert

suzeonline, women’s and men’s business is as relevant in Aboriginal communities today as it was 200 years ago, the more so that europeans have largely assimilated in all but their instruments of governance.

i've lived in Aboriginal communities from Redfern where I live now to the Central Australian community of Areyonga a decade after first contact and never come across anyone who disrespects equal rights between women and men.

it's a trait governments doggedly refuse to acknowledge which most Australians do, which is why Australia's Constitution is so out of kilter with the will of the people and needs an urgent update.
when men gave women the vote in 1902 and allowed women to enter parliament the inclusion of women was considered an improvement.
the trial worked, governance has improved, its come time to consolidate with a legislature.

the entertainment centre which housed my office operated a night club attended by a number of sexworkers of Caucasian appearance, some of whom reported being raped by police.
these women sought the refuge of equal rights from the paternalism of Australian law, as do many women who attend Aboriginal festivals and solidarity marches, as with the hundreds of thousands who walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge a decade ago. Aboriginal women's business isn’t exactly a secret.

matriarchies are rare but exist, Hopi Indians pass property on through matrilineal descent.
like patriarchy but for different reasons, matriarchy is inherently unstable.

Severin, Australia is governed by a tribal culture which divides the nation into first-class male citizens and second-class female citizens, about which most Australians have serious reservations.
the people are crying out for equitable representation in law, politics, business and domestic issues which can only be achieved with the provision of a women's legislature.

cultures in which elder females go along with female circumcision are controlled by men.
i didn't hedge, the practice of giving young girls to male elders for marriage is different if women control what girls do than if men do, obviously.

RObert, Tom Calma is convening a preliminary self-funded national Aboriginal advisory congress comprised of equal numbers of women and men following widespread consultation with Aboriginal communities across Australia.
representation is from a variety of sources including government and community organisations and individuals funded on a corporate model.
the proposal may be viewed here http://www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice/repbody/report2009/index.html.

i'm proposing a referendum to amend Australia's Constitution to provide for law enacted by agreement between a women's legislature and a men's legislature, replacing the current provision for law enacted by agreement between the Senate and the House of Representatives, presided over by distinguished elders replacing the Queen and governors-general accompanied by courts of women's and men's jurisdiction replacing courts of men's jurisdiction only.

Whistler, I am sorry that I missed the real meaning of your first few posts.
After reading the above posts I can see what you are getting at.
I would welcome a parliament with a much larger representation of women in our country.

I agree that at present it is much too male dominated.
Surely with male and females in more equal numbers, we would have a much more balanced government with an equal emphasis placed on male and female issues.

I don't think this will happen in my lifetime, but I can't see a separate legislature ever coming to pass.

I too have worked amongst Aboriginal people in both city and country situations over many years. Although I admit to mainly dealing with issues involving the health of these people, I was a community nurse going into their homes and communities.

For the most part, women and children were treated as second class citizens and many were abused.
I just can't get past that experience.

Whistler

Thank you for your considered responses to our requests.

You state:

<<< cultures in which elder females go along with female circumcision are controlled by men.
i didn't hedge, the practice of giving young girls to male elders for marriage is different if women control what girls do than if men do, obviously. >>>

I would posit that cultures in which elder females go along with giving young girls to male elders are also ultimately controlled by men.

Further, in aboriginal culture, "women's business" would be the only opportunity for tribal women to be free, if temporarily from the patriarchal tribe.

I do understand why you suggest a 'women's legislation' in Australian parliament - women are still considered second class citizens in many ways. However, like Suzeonline, I cannot see that ever happening and can see only equitable numbers of women in office ever making legal, medical, education, political, industrial and environmental systems approach more balance and rationale than we have at present.