Howard announces sweeping changes to indigenous policy
“But what matters more, the constitutional niceties or the care and protection of young children?
“We believe the latter is overwhelmingly more important.”
Howard and Brough appear to have overleaped the Pearson bandwagon and jumped straight to 1950s Australia.
Widespread bans on alcohol and X-rated pornography would be enforced, and all indigenous children under the age of 16 in the territory would be medically examined, Mr Howard said.
Mr Howard said the reforms would include scrapping the permit system for common areas and road corridors on Aboriginal lands, and marshalling work-for-the-dole participants to clean up Aboriginal communities.
Possession of X-rated pornography would be banned, and all publicly-funded computers searched for evidence of stored pornography, he said.
Mr Howard said law and order would be a central focus of the dramatic measures.
I think I should make it clear that I am not opposed to many of Noel Pearson’s proposed initiatives, and I find his “quest for a radical centre” quite a useful, if intellectually and emotionally challenging agenda. This is not to say that I agree with everything he says, or in fact believe that his views are broadly representative of indigenous views. Rather, I appreciate that his approach is genuinely based in a desire to empower indigenous communities to rectify their own problems, and also the realisation that current approaches are not working.
But these are not Pearson’s suggestions made flesh. This is not, by the sound of it, a colloborative, tailored, locally-administered programme fuelled by community consultation. Rather it is a top down, prohibitive and punitive regime designed to take over communities and lives. The media material is here.
Mark wrote:
For once, I am speechless. I struggle to process this incredible move. What is clear is that every measure involved, every one, is a clear movement to turn the clock back, an attack on Aboriginal autonomy and an attempt to reimpose white ‘guardianship’ over black people.
The grog ban – well, I agree with banning grog, but not exclusively in the black community, not be making it illegal for black people to drink (clearly turning the clock back). A measure I would support would be strengthening laws to make it even more difficult for white people, who profit from Aboriginal alcohol-related misery, to sell alcohol to Aborigines.
Pornography? It’s not really ‘x-rated’ at all. Hardcore pornography is basically illegal across Australia (except possibly the ACT), but the rest of us aren’t exposed to search and seisure – why the hell should Aborigines? It’s pure persecution.
AngryNerdRants wrote:
Hi arleeshar,
I’ve been following this group blog for a couple of weeks now, it’s pretty good :).
it’s not only grog that’s been banned, all licences for kava have been revoked. There’s a great place I go to that sells kava and they’re basically being forced to shut down because of this.
Ruin MY saturday night will you Mr Howard?
This got me annoyed enough to get all web 2.0 on the federal government ass.
I’m going to write a story, but I haven’t just yet, but the video I put together on the weekend says enough anyway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVj6SKDP1Qs
so you get first dibs :)
PS: I found you when I was researching that guy from DrinkOrDie, who got extradited to the US. I’d like to know how he’s going.
EvilPundit wrote:
I have to agree.
After all, letting ATSIC and local communities run things has been such a raging success, hasn’t it?
Myth wrote:
No more Kava??? That is extreme. For those who do not know, Kava is drug-wise, about the equivalent of a herbal cigarette without the smoking. I would put it below cigarette-smoking, alcohol drinking and probably even coffee, maybe around the same level as tea. The consumption of Kava produces a deep tiredness and is probably about as harmful as a panadol, but without the addiction problems. It does not produce hangovers, distorted judgement, euphorias etc. In fact, the Kiwi football team use it as part of their pre-test bonding session instead of drinking. I am not sure how Kava can be viewed as the problem.
bothwell wrote:
You talk like you used it, and you seem to care a lot about the faith of this plant. I know for a fact that Kava can create health affections and I am not so sure about “without addiction problems”. I think we are better without any kind of drug. I’ve learned my lesson in a drug addiction treatment.
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