Landline 20Nov14 had a reasonable coverage of the subject,

http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2014/s4133138.htm

The subject has fallen victim to the usual grubby troublemaking, speculative gossip and sensationalism of the 24 hour news cycle.

ALP leader Shorten's bubbles reflect very badly on him.

The complainers about Tony's laying it out as it is had better shut up.
It is going to get a lot worse from about 2020 onwards. Maybe sooner.
The politicians do not realise it yet but this societies diminishing
returns is about to hit them right in the teeth.
If they think they are having a hard time with not having enough
government revenue, they have not seen anything yet.

It may not just be aboriginals out in the bush looking for bush tucker.

Yes Bazz, I'm afraid I'm with you.

My place could easily fund a nice little highset in a nearby country town, with parking underneath for my cars, an inclinator to get me up stairs, & electric garage doors & front gate to make going out a breeze, & a bit left over for fun.

It would be rather nice, but with 8 acres of black soil river flats, & another 12 of grazing, with a river boundary an irrigation licence & fully installed system, I'm hanging on just in case the kids need to become at least partly self sufficient.

This area is supposed to be very good for growing cabbage & pumpkin. God what a horrible thought.

I certainly hope things don't go that way, but I won't be too surprised if they do.

My wife worked in child care, on visiting an aboriginal family who just moved into a newly rebuilt home in Mt Druit she found the newly laid carpets out on the front lawn and holes drilled in the floors of each room. When she asked why. She was told so that when they hosed the rooms out the water could drain. This is what Government is funding.

I recall talking to a senior Victorian public servant a number of years ago. He was complaining about moves by Western Australia to keep more of the tax generated in their state, particularly of the mining variety.

He said for decades the rest of Australia had been subsidising the West, some years to the tune of over $30,000 per person per annum, and a good chunk of the revenue had come from the Bass Strait oil fields. Now that they had their own mineral boom this was conveniently forgotten, but not by this bloke.

He noted the Eastern States would have been better off looking after themselves and letting the West fend for themselves, but they didn't, because we are all Australians and the money should flow to those with the greatest need.

It is ironic that it is Western Australia determined to close remote communities.

Josephus, I can only assume your wife was government funded at the time. Pray tell us what follow up action did she take? Did she report it? Was it the only aboriginal house your wife ever went into, if not what were the others like, you do not mention that!
You post this short anecdotal story, for a simple reason, it can not be disputed, it could true, but that is irrelevant. What you are trying to convey is the notion "like one, like all". What is the "moral" of your story, could it be; Do not give these people a government house they will only disrespect it!

I to have been into aboriginal public housing, I have been into European public housing as well, conditions very considerably, from very badly kept, to extremely well kept. So can you give me the point of your wife story.