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the worst

I am really scared about what the government's doing with their 'National emergency response'. So much so, that I really just want to put my head in the sand because thinking about what might happen is terrifying, but putting my head in the sand is not going to be very helpful.

I've started reading the 'Little children are sacred' report (from the inquiry into child protection from sexual abuse) and the government's response and I'll comment as I go along.

One very important point stands out in the very first recommendation of the report - a point that Howard's government seems to have missed totally. "It is critical that both governments commit to genuine consultation with Aboriginal people in designing initiatives for Aboriginal communities."

Let me repeat that:

"It is critical that both governments commit to genuine consultation with Aboriginal people in designing initiatives for Aboriginal communities."

That recommendation has now been totally ignored by the government. Totally.

I will comment more about all this business soon, but in the meantime, I was talking briefly about the government's action with JJ, who is very concerned (as probably are all Aboriginal ppl living in communities) and I said to him 'out of all the no-good things the government has done to youmob this is the worst'. (Well, the worst in my time - fortunately I wasn't around when Aboriginal ppl were being killed, raped, removed from families, having their land taken over, punished for speaking language etc.)

Comments

Sophie said…
I agree Wamut. Everytime I check the news my heart is in my mouth. How could things be going so wrong. Why isn't the labour party standing upa dn saying something? Why are people acting like this is the only course of action...

I'm scared too.
I am beginning to understand how Eyal feels when his government makes awful choices affecting the lives of so many.
1:19 pm
zebragirl said…
I agree also. (see my own blog comments) There is no consultation and there is no reconciliation and empowerment. I am terrified that general Australia believes Indigenous people don't care about what is happening. This is so not true.
Logistically the plan is stupid.
I am in slight agreement with some aspects as bandaid solutions for creating space to solve larger problems but on the whole I am opposed because the govt. doesn't seem to be wanting to solve the bigger problems.
I'm scared for the children.
2:15 pm
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