The King of Wedge Politics

[Proud Pies]

Well, Howards done it again hasn't he. He's pulled his rabbit out of his hat for this one. This is the update to the old Children Overboard Crisis of 2 elections ago.

Surely people can see through this white knight coming to the rescue of the indigenous children. Everybody is going to be too scared to say what i'm saying right now because what he's doing is actually the right thing. Finally doing something to help these children and these communities. And it's taken an election to do it?

Why didn't he and his government do something about it 10 years ago when the WA Government went to the Federal Government for help then for exactly the same issue with their indigenous communities? Why now? And why are the police and these laws only going to be in there for 6 months? after 6 months will the problem be solved and there'll be no more abuse of these children? or will the election be over then and we can go back to sweeping it under the carpet. The NSW indigenous communities have been suffering the same fate and it's been reported for years as well. Queensland too.

This is our Katrina???? ffs....... it's not a Cyclone. It's a tragedy that's been ignored for at least 10 years. Indigenous health has been a disgrace for decades and is continually ignored. Don't go throwing buckets of water on a blazing inferno because you think it might get you a few more votes and then forget about it again as soon as the election is over.

Every indigenous child under 16 is to have a full medical examination? Why haven't they been having this before? Do you know how many of these children have glaucoma? Ask the Fred Hollows foundation about that. The health of these communities has been ignored for so long.

Call me cynical............because i am and can see right through the bullshit reason that this is finally being done now.

He's already worn out the terrorists fear........let's use these children and the abuse they have suffered for our own agenda.....ahhhhh there its is......they are being abused again and by little Johnny and his wedge politics.

And please don't think for one moment that i am actually against the help that is arriving (for many far too late) because i'm not, i'm a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, so i can understand what they're going through.

[member34258]

I'm not scared to say the same as you PP.
I do not in any way ignore the fact that there is a crisis that needs to be addressed. But am hugely cynical at the timing.
I fear what we are seeing now is the basis for future claims of abuse similar to the Stolen Children cases.
Imagine being forced to take your children to a centre to be examined for sexual abuse. Under indimidation that the Police will do a complete investigation on you if you fail to comply. It's appalling. The only way it could work is if all children in Australia are subject to the same examination.
You reckon there might be an outcry if that was to happen?

Howards push to get us back to the 50's takes another step forward. How long before the right to vote gets taken off our original inhabitants? Just like the good old days.

[David]

[Proud Pies]

[Proud Pies]

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/families-flee-pms-cleanup-pledge/2007/06/25/1182623823191.html

[David]

[sherrife]

Dave, you´re putting ends above means, and this is a horrible philosophy to adopt.

You CANNOT fix a social problem with more oppression. To put this another way, you cannot force people to take less drugs, to drink less, to abuse others less, etc. There are reasons that Indigenous people have reached their current situation, and these have to be addressed.

As others have said, to target Indigenous people for special treatment in this way is ludicrous, as there are plenty of urban middle-class Indigenous people who are in no need for any state-sponsored paternalism. Not that Indigenous Australians anywhere want state-sponsored paternalism.

Dave, how about you listen to some Indigenous people before you make pronouncements on what will fix their problems, or even worse, accept the pronouncements of others who want only to win a $£$%^%%$ election, not actually do anything to help these people.

From the words of the Indigenous Senator, Aden Ridgeway:

[Proud Pies]

i'd also like to know if these children will get counselling and will that dry up too in 6 months? There doesn't appear to be any reference to any of this at all. It's like they are going in on an army mission and will provide strick rule of thumb laws, but what about the fallout? what about the kids? what about the families?

[Alec. J. Hidell]

I smell another "Children Over Board"

[London Dave]

[eddiesmith]

So the govt should shut down in the year prior to an Election should they so they dont appear to be doing things only because its an election year

Of course if Rudd said he would do this if he got in power it would have more support

[Neil Appleby]

Don't think so Eddie.

Australian's have at last seen through Howard. That's why he was so pissed yesterday. Whatever he does now people question his motives.
Fantastic and about bloody time I say. Perhaps we will again see an Australia where people vote for something instead of against something. When they vote for something other than their wallets in mind.

As an overseas Aussie I've watched with dismay the gradual deterioration of the fair go mentality we were always so proud of.

An inward looking, regressive society.

A society that still thinks it's OK to double the funding (Federally) to private schools compared to state schools.

Run down a great education system; one of the best in the world.
Run down the hospitals and Medicare; again world class.

These are things Australians take for granted unfortunately.
Mysister recently had to have an operation here in Hong Kong. The care was great. The cost? $350,000 HKD. ($65000AUD) She'd pay nothing in Australia.

Will Rudd be any better? Doubtful.
Can a man from the far right of the party and a Christian to boot, really be expected to deliver social change and equality?

I wouldn't be holding my breath, but he could't be worse than Howard, that's for sure.

I think I have strayed off topic.

This latest policy just smacks of paternalism. It's sounding a lot like apartheid don't you think?
Everyone will have 50% of their welfare held back...not just the suspected trangressors, but everyone.
What about northern NSW Mr Howard.....are going to see these policies enacted there too?

I can just watch and hope that Australians are in the mood to grow up and stand up.

[eddiesmith]

[stui magpie]

My only comment on this is that I understand the measures have been supported by Labor, if not the actions. It's about bloody time something was done to help these people. Call it paternalistic, opportunistic, even oppression if you like, I don't really care what it's labelled if the kids get the appropriate care. I understand that the measure apply to all people in selected communities where these issues appear to be largest, not just to aboriginals, although they are in aboriginal communities.

There will be a number of people who thinks it smacks of opportunism so whoever wins the election, it's unlikely this will have tipped the balance either way.

[member34258]