Our lost generations.

Prime minister John Howard has reacted by calling a " National Emergency " in the wake of a report highlighting widespread sexual abuse of Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory. He proposes to take Federal control of Aboriginal affairs, something that is possible in the Territory - but not available within state regimes.
Aboriginal welfare has been a sorry story over countless decades. It's origin was one of paternalistic oversight which resulted in what became " the stolen children " saga - children taken to be brought up by white people in the belief that this would integrate them into society.
Then came the era of allowing the indigenous people to control their own lives. This also was a disaster. Countless millions of dollars was thrown at the problem, to be siphoned away and squandered by corrupt leaders who sought only to enrich themselves. The Aboriginal communities in country areas succumbed to the menace of alcohol. Children were not encouraged to go to school - and without education they had no future. Poverty was endemic. When the fortnightly Centrelink welfare money hit the bank the grog and drug suppliers were handy, ready to make sales that in many cases consumed the entire pension and left nothing for food, clothing or the utility bills.
In this era Aboriginal children took to petrol sniffing. Pornography became rife and sexual abuse was rampant. Mining with large, single male workforces found young Aboriginal girls ready to prostitute themselves for money - and this was the Northern Territory situation that John Howard took to task.
The proposal is to ban alcohol for a trial period of six months. Howard will also tighten the laws that restrict non-Aboriginals from entering indigenous communities and use the welfare laws to see that children are clothed, fed and attend school.
In cases where parents are hopelessly trapped in alcoholism the amount of welfare cash they will receive will be minimal. That money will be directed to supply organizations which will only exchange the balance on hand for food, clothing and other essentials. A proportion will automatically be directed to utility suppliers to see that facilities such as power and water are maintained.
Implementation will require a large workforce which will include police and probably the army to provide infrastructure. All Aboriginal children under age 16 will be required to undergo regular health checks to check for sexual abuse.
Labor leader Kevin Rudd has agreed to stand shoulder to shoulder with Howard on this issue - but the plan will draw immense hostility from the do-gooder brigade. Their only answer is to throw more money at the problem with no change in the present, failed regimen. Many Aboriginal people will be hostile to supervision affecting their lives - but part of the problem is the conception held by many that the white people owe them a living - and they have no obligation to improve their lives. While this remains in place they are destined to remain second class citizens.
Howard has pleaded with the states to implement reforms in their areas. In all probability the responses will be mixed - but the outcome of events in the Northern Territory will set the standard. If they succeed, the push for action by the states will become unstoppable !