One of the worthwhile campaigns in Australia is the 'Closing The Gap' initiative by all Australian governments to close the gap between indigenous, and non-indigenous Australians. in 2008 the COAG set 6 ambitious targets to improve the quality of life of our indigenous people. These targets are in the areas of life expectancy, child mortality, education and employment. All worthwhile and should be supported by all Australians, regardless of their political persuasion.

http://www.coag.gov.au/closing_the_gap_in_indigenous_disadvantage

Paul, while closing the gap may be seen by us as a great initiative, the problem is most indigenous continually play the victim card and as long as the gravy train continues they are highly unlikely to want to change, and let's face it, why would they.

They can rent a house for next to nothing, trash it, then either have it repaired or get another one. No bond, no commitment, perhaps just a smack on the wrist.

Then there's the welfare situation, you know there is a problem when indigenous people make headlines for getting a job, rather than loosing/not having one because if they are out of work and on welfare it's almost considered as the norm.

The sad reality is that if change is what's required, both parties must be on the same page, and while the indigenous front line people seem willing to instil that much needed change, the message doesn't make it to the masses.

You want proof, show me a full blood activists. They don't want change because the reality is they have never had it so good, they don't live in houses or missions, they live in a humpy on the outskirts, they hunt and gather with they draw comfort in the knowing their welfare cheque is in the mail.

Now while I can understand why people would see me as racist, the reality is there is a difference between racism and realism.

Butch, I'm not disputing what you say, even if you say it in such emotive terms. "most", "gravy train", etc, and I do not dispute there are major problems with our indigenous people, nor do I suggest there are simple solutions to those problems. Concentrating on the negatives does no one good, and we should be looking for positive answers and not finger pointing as some do.
I just spent the past 2 weeks in Aotearoa living with Maori, who incidentally suffer many of the same problems Indigenous Australians experience. We were able to see first hand peoples problems. It would be so easy to be dismissive of these people as worthless folk who have brought problems upon themselves, but that achieves nothing. My partner managed a couple of small victories with 2 people, got a woman an interview as a teachers aid in a bilingual school, and she advised an ex-con on making some money selling fish and other seafood, fresh water ells, he catches to the local community. That was not the purpose of our trip, but it was rewarding. My partner "T" could not resists, brought back some eel, mussels and kina, all frozen to Aussie.

'I just spent the past 2 weeks in Aotearoa living with Maori, who incidentally suffer many of the same problems Indigenous Australians experience. '

Paul

do they cause as many problems as Australian aboriginals? or is it only what they suffer more often than not from their own choices

Runner, people make bad choices, and people lower down the socio economic pecking order tend to make more than their fair share of bad choices. These very same people often lack the necessary resources and life skills to correct those bad choices. Nothing new in that! I do not presume to be judgmental of these people, but I do think there is a collective social responsibility to help secure better outcomes for such people who need our help. Do you agree?

'I do not presume to be judgmental of these people, but I do think there is a collective social responsibility to help secure better outcomes for such people who need our help. Do you agree?'

I do actually agree Paul however how many more billions have to be wasted with things going backwards? Being 'progressive' is certainly not pouring more billions into the hole. A little responsibility and less victimhood from leaders in community is desperatley needed. To many people making money in keeping people as victims.