National Aboriginal Alliance federal intervention database

Sorry, but many Aboriginal spokespeople are in fact those that were lucky enough to have received adequate education and empowerment through their own upbringing (sadly many of these people were children of the stolen generation or have been exposed to non-aboriginal culture and therefore understand the need for education, hygiene and nutrition in the 21st century). Unfortunately, too many children today in Aboriginal communities are not receiving the upbringing they deserve, which includes adequate nutrition and appropriate hygiene in the home environment (and of course access to services, which is surprisingly good considering the remoteness and size of the communities). It is time to put money into housing and education (specifically in what a parent needs to be responsible for in having children). It is blatantly obvious that too many children are under-nourished (around 30% stunted and another 40% way under average standards) and are therefore more likely to get sick from infectious disease due to the appalling hygiene that exists in many remote communities and town camps. Enough "feel good" policy that makes the people implementing them "feel good", but has done little to change the living environment and social "norms" of Aboriginal people to adjust to living in the new environment in which they live. It is not about culture, it is about norms and mores. Culture will change, as it has to, given the fact that Aboriginal people are no more nomadic hunter gatherers.

It is also very sad that we have communities of 200 or more people within 200-300km of major urban centres that do not have sealed roads. One off sealing of these roads would reduce dramatically the poor access to foods and reduce substantially the cost of transporting goods to these communities. It would make them more economically viable through better access to the tourist dollar also. We need basic infrastructure, and education in to the previously mentioned areas and counselling services to assist those families caught up the damaging cycle of alcohol and drug abuse that is highly prevalent in many communities. Enough of the emotive language as it does no one any good. I am for some aspects of the intervention, but not all, but wholesale writing off of the intervention will only further divide those people who want to see (and assist) Aboriginal people to rise their living standards to what is deserved in a wealthy country like Australia.