otb,

I can't even begin to understand parents who don't
support their children. But with the Indigenous
people the issues are very complicated and I certainly
don't have the answers to their problems. I remember
reading an article some time ago about a writer and
his encounter with an Indigenous child. He wrote:

"On another occasion, when walking through the gate
into the front yard of another house, a little girl of
about seven stood still in the middle of the path.
She didn't move as I approached. She didn't say anything.
She just looked up at me in a way that I have never
forgotten. No child had ever looked at me like that before.
There was a mixture of concern, anxiety and distaste. It
wasn't particularly personal. But it was even more
disturbing because of that. She looked at me across a wide
gulf of suspicion and distrust. I was a migloo and she
didn't like me or want me in her yard..."

You're suggestion of good role models and setting up programs
of educating these children I totally agree is so important.

From what I can see, the public interest test is essentially whether the "scandal" will sell newspapers. Hacking into private files and emails to reveal juicy private details seems to be included. Ask Jennifer lawrence how she feels about the public interest in her private photos.

As for Barry Spurr, Whilst I think he should have been more circumspect, I think the University will find itself in serious legal strife if it tries to take further disciplinary action based on private e mails taken out of context of the entire conversations.

Dear SM,

We'll have to wait and see what the courts decide.

Once again - Thanks to everyone who contributed
to this discussion.

I am looking forward to seeing what if anything - develops in
the future over these cases.

Perhaps someone could start another discussion
on public interest versus the right to privacy
and where to draw the line.

May we all continue to have further robust discussions on
a variety of topics.