Getting indigenous priorities in order
Editorial; 28/4/08
Aborigines are part of the urban underclass InN an exclusive post-2020 Summit interview with The Australian last week, Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin had her priorities right. While willing to consider calls for a treaty between black and white Australia, the Rudd Government’s “No1 focus” will remain closing the 17-year gap between indigenous and non-indigenous life expectancy. Breaching the large gap in education standards between black and white Australia and reducing indigenous childhood mortality are top priorities. We applaud her good sense. On the question of a treaty, two of the nation’s most credible Aboriginal leaders were even more blunt. Cape York leader Noel Pearson and Arnhem Land powerbroker Galarrwuy Yunupingu branded the treaty push as a political “dead horse”. Instead, they want their fellow indigenous leaders to embrace the mainstream push towards constitutional recognition of Aboriginal people. But the symbolic importance of a constitutional preamble, they warned, should not come at the expense of practical measures to combat endemic Aboriginal disadvantage. Born of long experience and frustration, this is sage advice.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23607259-16741,00.html
New indigenous body bid
Sarah Smiles; 28/4/08
Aboriginal academic Mick Dodson has been hired by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission to help devise a model for a new Aboriginal organisation that would replace ATSIC. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission was disbanded by the Howard government four years ago, under a weight of criticism that it was corrupt and ineffective. The Rudd Government has said it will not revive ATSIC, but will establish a new indigenous representative body made up of elected members
See: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/new-indigenous-body-bid/2008/04/27/1209234656141.html
See: The voices of indigenous Australians must be heard ; Editorial; 28/4/08; http://www.theage.com.au/news/editorial/the-voices-of-indigenous-australians-must-be-heard/2008/04/27/1209234653029.html
Tags: Aboriginal, Australia, Health & Welfare, Politics