During one of the PM's recent media conferences whilst he was in the Torres Straight, he said something which to me was of particular significance. Surprisingly though, I have not seen it picked up in the media at all (but not that I read a lot of it)

If I don't misunderstand, what he said was something to the effect that the Original people should not be relegated to solely traditional practices upon their land, but rather that their land needs to become an integral cornerstone of their ongoing development and future economic success.

That to me, sounds like a most excellent idea, if indeed what was meant is a proposal for a newer and fairer form of land rights.

That depends on whether you are suggesting that Aborigines and Islanders, or at least their elders who aren't that keen on white fullahs (apart from the $$ assistance flowing forever from the Great White Guilt), should be allowed to impose a similar apartheid on their communities as existed after Gough Whitlam's meddling.

The Black Curtain that descended as a consequence of that interfering, patronising fool Gough and prevented media scrutiny of what was going on in black communities was a tragedy for women and children and the inheritance will linger for many years more.

Frankly the situation regarding land before Gough, Mabo and activists, where indigenous could go places they wanted was far better for indigenous IMHO. If politicians were desperate to make laws that people didn't need I guess they could have confirmed that existing effective arrangement.

There is NO prospect of uneducated indigenous ever breaking out of their self-limiting, often self-destructing, attitudes as long as there are educated middle class professionals making hay and careers out of black discrimination.

To take an example, there was a hews report yesterday decrying the poor state of aboriginal hearing. Nowhere to be seen though was the simple statement that children persist in cleaning their ears with sticks as trained to do so by mum. Well chlorinated swimming or plunge pools in larger communities could prevent a lot of the ear infections (but not if the eardrum is already perforated).

What about the UN's highly successful soap and water campaign that has been so successful in undeveloped countries to conquer dysentery and other bugs?

Land title is one of the distractions of politicians and activists - including the many academics, bureaucrats and private professionals whose careers depend on 'discrimination'.

Dream On,

I don't listen much to anything Abbott says these days. But if he said what you report, he is a bigger damn fool than I thought he was.

Land can never be the 'cornerstone' of aboriginal development unless it is worked. Aborigines, in remote areas do not have a work ethic, and our economy is not such that we can do the hard yards for them. Apart from the majority of them - yes, the majority - who have got off their backsides of the own volition, there is no hope for these people who are having too much fuss made of them.

If they don't have a work ethic, how is that they survived for 60,000+ prior to being invaded?

And if the genocidal crown maintains the dispossession and imposes a land rights regime upon them which is less than everyone else who owns land, then I would say that the current generation is every bit as bad as those who inflicted untold atrocities against them.

After everything that has been done to them, I am of the view that the prevailing establishment has no legitimate right to tell these people what to do at all.

Thus, if they were to be afforded better land rights, and they wished to withdraw, then that is entirely a matter for them.

And whilst they have their issues, much of that and the present condition has come about as a consequence of what has been done to them.

But why focus solely on the negatives. ABC this week reports this week the opening of a new cafe which is doing well, and there are plenty of Blakfellas busting to get in and have a go in the cattle and beef export industries, and the list goes on.

As for those who deny the history, you are no better than those who deny the Jewish holocaust.

DreamOn,

Survival has nothing to do with the work ethic. Millions of people in the world survive on welfare. How do you think remote-dwelling aborigines survive?

The work ethic stems from democracy and civilization, neither of which existed until white settlement.

Your talk of genocide is too absurd to warrant a response.

True, hunting grounds and food gathering areas were interfered with through ignorance. But the aborigines accepted with alacrity handouts from settlers. No work ethic, you see. And why should that have had it after 60,000 years of hunter gathering. No cause for criticism of them there.

Now, most aborigines do have a work ethic, and demonstrate that in cities and towns, providing for themselves and their families. Why can't you celebrate their achievement instead of moaning, groaning and trying to foment ill-feeling on behalf of a few people who want to waste their lives and those of their children living in the Stone Age, at our largesse, with a few luxuries that they didn't have for 60,000 years: grog, drugs, and four-wheel drives. They are bludgers, my good man.

So, the ABC and undoubtedly other media outlets reported a "cafe" that is "doing well". I assume, because you don't say, that people aboriginal descent are involved. Good. They are the people I referred to in the above paragraph. Where is the cafe? Unless it is in an urban area, it is doomed to failure - more money lost - because there is no scope for business enterprise in remote areas. And, of course "Blackfellas" are good stockman, as long as they don't go walkabout, as they often do.

Finally, how dare you come the "no better than those who deny the Jewish Holocaust" with me! I do not "deny history": I have studied the history and I understand it ­- unlike you, who seems to have received his 'learning' from the ABC and twisted Left wing anarchists. I grew up among aboriginal Australians, you cheeky blighter, and I have never, ever denied the Holocaust, another outrage by Socialism.

onthebeach,

"There is NO prospect of uneducated indigenous ever breaking out of their self-limiting,
often self-destructing, attitudes as long as there are educated middle class professionals
making hay and careers out of black discrimination."

You left out the class benefiting the most via position,status and cash.
That particular class of half and quarter caste educated culture that seem the be running
all the organizations that supposedly have indigenous welfare at there heart.

I used to run a pun in central west QLD and every weekend a dozen or more new turbo
V8 Land Cruisers would turn up for a weekend of total boozing. They were all more white than black mate,

You are no better than a Holocaust denier ttbn, and wholy ignorant.

Where are the Tasmanian original people you stupid old fool? Gone, bar a tiny handful. Destroyed. Exterminated.

And so many other tribes and languages rendered extinct.

You're not kidding anyone mate.

Even now, the crown is accused of breaching the genocide convention act by the knowing and deliberate infliction of mental harm. Torture town, you stand before the world as child abusers.

And, the cafe is in a remote area.

As for Otitis Media, I am very familiar with it and your comments are half baked. It can be brought about by dirty water for sure, but it can also come about for other reasons, such as the position and the size of the eustachian tubes.

And whilst we are speaking of genocide, why did so many Jews die unnecessarily when there was a referendum supported plan to resettle them here?

The answer, because the filthy genocidal crown turned back the boats.

DreamOn (as you must do 24/7)

You can call me a "silly old fool" if that's what it takes to make you feel like a tough guy, but you are the ignorant one - you read fairy tales.

Unlike the great genocide theorist, Reynolds, others who gave actually researched have written books, and there was no genocide in Tasmania or anywhere else in Australia. But you would not read them. They would be silly old fools and right wing fiends like me in your undeveloped mind.

Who is accusing the Crown (quaint term, these days, and you should use a capital)of reaching the "genocide convention" and abusing children? Have you reported the child abuse? What is Torture Town - not confused with Toy Town, are you?

The only sensible, rational thing you have had to say is that the café is in a remote area. It will probably be closed by Christmas, then.

Surely claiming ownership of something, especially when it was not purchased, comes with the responsibility of managing and maintaining it and I don't mean by way of constant tax payer funded hand outs. It's about time this lot either stepped up to the plate, or conceded that without billions of taxes payers funds, they are incapable of fixing, or even addressing their own problems.

Tony Abbott was right if he meant development of Northern Queensland. That will be hugely to the benefit of all, including indigenous.

I would not be in favour though if such development is taken as another opportunity to set new immigration records as favoured by banks and the big end of town, along with the fleas on fleas - the academics, bureaucrats and professionals who are making their dough and careers out of migrants and multiculturalism.

If this ever were to happen, the opportunity to own and work the land...'cornerstone of their ongoing development and future economic success' how could it possibly succeed.
The constant demand by activists, aboriginal groups, do-gooders and aboriginals of varying degree for (besides more money) to be given land so that they can embrace their heritage and cultures. Return to how they used to live and once again become independent and self sufficient.
It does sound like a most excellent idea. All the above mentioned groups having their demands met, the welfare burden will decrease dramatically, the Govt and tax payers will save billions annually.Sounds too good to be true.
Those living regular lives, working and bringing up families arent going to want to lose what they have worked hard for. Those who have no interest in working, educated or not, and are totally dependent on hand outs, arent going to want to lose that either. The full blooded, the first people, who perhaps live off the land, havent evolved and remain nomads and hunters and gatherers. Perhaps it is too good to be true

jodelie, I remember a famous quote from Bob Hawk on land rights. He said something like, "give them Frazer Island and let them hunt and gather for their food, but in dugouts with spears not speed boats and 303's.

Rehctub, no politician these days would dare utter those words, they'd rather be walked over that upset anybody.
It frustrates me that most of the ones stirring the pot, constantly demanding more funds, more compensation, encouraging separatism and racism are educated, white collar, half,quarter castes or less. Plus the white idiots and pollies jumping on the band wagon. Someone eventually has to say 'cut the crap', before the monster that has been created gets out of control.