http://www.thepunch.com.au/tags/indigenous-affairs/ Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. en Copyright 2012 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +0000 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/its-not-protective-custody-if-you-die-in-its-care/ Three Aboriginal people have died in police custody in Alice Springs since January. The first was 28-year-old Kwementyaye Briscoe, who died after being picked up by police for public drunkenness. In other words, he was taken into protective custody. That someone died while in a situation designed to keep them safe is sadly ironic. Four days after Briscoe’s death, a candlelight vigil was held on the lawns opposite the Alice Springs courthouse. I will never forget the tears on the faces of those who loved him, the wails of grief. Briscoe’s family were clear they did not want this young man’s life to become just another statistic, another figure to add to the Aboriginal death in custody count. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/its-not-protective-custody-if-you-die-in-its-care/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/its-not-protective-custody-if-you-die-in-its-care/#item8241 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +0000 I almost wish I hadn’t written this column last week. I argued that Adelaide recruiter Matthew Rendell should not have been forced to resign over his warning that AFL clubs could get to a point where they only recruited Aboriginal players with one white parent. Rendell was pretty convincing when he argued he wasn’t suggesting this should be a policy; rather warning that this dire situation could come to pass. It was all about the context. With the gloriousness of hindsight I would have written it differently because the AFL community engagement manager Rendell made the comments to – Jason Mifsud – has a slightly different account of the conversation that makes it sound less like a pie-in-the-sky throwaway line and more part of an ongoing stereotyping within the AFL. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/how-i-became-a-member-of-the-im-not-racist-but-club/ I almost wish I hadn’t written this column last week. I argued that Adelaide recruiter Matthew Rendell should not have been forced to resign over his warning that AFL clubs could get to a point where they only recruited Aboriginal players with one white parent. Rendell was pretty convincing when he argued he wasn’t suggesting this should be a policy; rather warning that this dire situation could come to pass. It was all about the context. With the gloriousness of hindsight I would have written it differently because the AFL community engagement manager Rendell made the comments to – Jason Mifsud – has a slightly different account of the conversation that makes it sound less like a pie-in-the-sky throwaway line and more part of an ongoing stereotyping within the AFL. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/how-i-became-a-member-of-the-im-not-racist-but-club/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/how-i-became-a-member-of-the-im-not-racist-but-club/#item8103 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +0000 I almost wish I hadn’t written this column last week. I argued that Adelaide recruiter Matthew Rendell should not have been forced to resign over his warning that AFL clubs could get to a point where they only recruited Aboriginal players with one white parent. Rendell was pretty convincing when he argued he wasn’t suggesting this should be a policy; rather warning that this dire situation could come to pass. It was all about the context. With the gloriousness of hindsight I would have written it differently because the AFL community engagement manager Rendell made the comments to – Jason Mifsud – has a slightly different account of the conversation that makes it sound less like a pie-in-the-sky throwaway line and more part of an ongoing stereotyping within the AFL. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Intervention-not-perfect-but-its-better-than-nothing/ The prominence of the story about AFL player Liam Jurrah in the national media was interesting. Yes, here is a man who many in central Australia hold up as a vision of hope and this dream has for the time being been destroyed. But Jurrah, as many have noted, is a man with feet in both worlds. These worlds do not often cross paths in a way that is palatable to white people on the East Coast. One very un-sexy story that doesn’t involve football stars or machetes but is going to have more impact on Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory is the extension of the Intervention. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Intervention-not-perfect-but-its-better-than-nothing/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Intervention-not-perfect-but-its-better-than-nothing/#item8060 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +0000 I almost wish I hadn’t written this column last week. I argued that Adelaide recruiter Matthew Rendell should not have been forced to resign over his warning that AFL clubs could get to a point where they only recruited Aboriginal players with one white parent. Rendell was pretty convincing when he argued he wasn’t suggesting this should be a policy; rather warning that this dire situation could come to pass. It was all about the context. With the gloriousness of hindsight I would have written it differently because the AFL community engagement manager Rendell made the comments to – Jason Mifsud – has a slightly different account of the conversation that makes it sound less like a pie-in-the-sky throwaway line and more part of an ongoing stereotyping within the AFL. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/dumping-nuclear-waste-on-indigenous-land-a-big-mistake/ If a week is a long time in politics then 106 of them must be close to an eternity. That’s how long it has taken Federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson to steer his controversial nuclear waste legislation though both Houses of Parliament. Introduced as an urgent matter with Coalition support in February 2010, the law passed the Senate this week. While the delay might cause frustration to an impatient Minister, in the timeframe over which radioactive waste remains a serious human and environmental risk it is but a blip. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/dumping-nuclear-waste-on-indigenous-land-a-big-mistake/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/dumping-nuclear-waste-on-indigenous-land-a-big-mistake/#item8002 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +0000 I almost wish I hadn’t written this column last week. I argued that Adelaide recruiter Matthew Rendell should not have been forced to resign over his warning that AFL clubs could get to a point where they only recruited Aboriginal players with one white parent. Rendell was pretty convincing when he argued he wasn’t suggesting this should be a policy; rather warning that this dire situation could come to pass. It was all about the context. With the gloriousness of hindsight I would have written it differently because the AFL community engagement manager Rendell made the comments to – Jason Mifsud – has a slightly different account of the conversation that makes it sound less like a pie-in-the-sky throwaway line and more part of an ongoing stereotyping within the AFL. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/billions-of-government-waste-not-closing-the-gap/ Nobody likes to look incompetent or inept. So it’s no wonder the Federal Government fought to keep secret a report that revealed the $3.5 billion it spends each year on indigenous programs has generated “dismally poor returns”.  Close to two years after a 470-page Finance Department report slammed the Government’s management of indigenous programs and expenditure there’s been no radical movement, no overhaul of the Departments responsible, and none of the 115 recommendations adopted. The report may never have even been made public save for a long-running freedom of information case brought by Channel 7. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/billions-of-government-waste-not-closing-the-gap/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/billions-of-government-waste-not-closing-the-gap/#item6962 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +0000 I almost wish I hadn’t written this column last week. I argued that Adelaide recruiter Matthew Rendell should not have been forced to resign over his warning that AFL clubs could get to a point where they only recruited Aboriginal players with one white parent. Rendell was pretty convincing when he argued he wasn’t suggesting this should be a policy; rather warning that this dire situation could come to pass. It was all about the context. With the gloriousness of hindsight I would have written it differently because the AFL community engagement manager Rendell made the comments to – Jason Mifsud – has a slightly different account of the conversation that makes it sound less like a pie-in-the-sky throwaway line and more part of an ongoing stereotyping within the AFL. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/in-some-parts-of-australia-death-comes-far-too-easily/ A couple of months ago I was gallivanting around the UK on a holiday. One night I popped up to the apartment I was crashing at to grab my jacket when I heard a voice through the window from the road below. “Come on darlin’, you don’t have to do this.” Across the road a woman had climbed up onto the third story of some scaffolding. She wasn’t particularly sober, she’d tied a noose around her neck and she was about to jump. If today is a typical day, by the time you’ve hit the hay tonight nearly 178 Aussies will have attempted to end their lives. Seven would have gone through with it. It’s a national tragedy. And in some remote parts of Australia it’s just tragedy after tragedy after tragedy after tragedy. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/in-some-parts-of-australia-death-comes-far-too-easily/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/in-some-parts-of-australia-death-comes-far-too-easily/#item6724 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +0000 I almost wish I hadn’t written this column last week. I argued that Adelaide recruiter Matthew Rendell should not have been forced to resign over his warning that AFL clubs could get to a point where they only recruited Aboriginal players with one white parent. Rendell was pretty convincing when he argued he wasn’t suggesting this should be a policy; rather warning that this dire situation could come to pass. It was all about the context. With the gloriousness of hindsight I would have written it differently because the AFL community engagement manager Rendell made the comments to – Jason Mifsud – has a slightly different account of the conversation that makes it sound less like a pie-in-the-sky throwaway line and more part of an ongoing stereotyping within the AFL. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/abo-is-not-just-an-abbreviation-of-aboriginal/ I don’t think anyone is that shocked to discover former Carlton president John Elliott is a bigot and no doubt Can of Worms let his comment air because of the publicity, but sadly it seems the sentiment behind his recent racial slur is echoed by a cross-section of Australians. Some comments on the story included: “Aussie is OK as an abbreviation, but Abo isn’t? I never knew that Abo was offensive?”, and “Why can’t we use the word ‘abo’ it is just an abbreviation.” penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/abo-is-not-just-an-abbreviation-of-aboriginal/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/abo-is-not-just-an-abbreviation-of-aboriginal/#item6325 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +0000 I almost wish I hadn’t written this column last week. I argued that Adelaide recruiter Matthew Rendell should not have been forced to resign over his warning that AFL clubs could get to a point where they only recruited Aboriginal players with one white parent. Rendell was pretty convincing when he argued he wasn’t suggesting this should be a policy; rather warning that this dire situation could come to pass. It was all about the context. With the gloriousness of hindsight I would have written it differently because the AFL community engagement manager Rendell made the comments to – Jason Mifsud – has a slightly different account of the conversation that makes it sound less like a pie-in-the-sky throwaway line and more part of an ongoing stereotyping within the AFL. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/what-indigenous-society-has-to-teach-about-raising-kids/ The health and welfare of our young people has been at the centre of many policy announcements made so far this election. Childcare centres and chubby babies provide popular photo opportunities for campaigning politicians, and both parties are arguing over who’s paid parental leave scheme is best. Focusing on our young people is important: they are the future of our nation, the next pillars of our community; but is it the role of government to tell us how to raise our children? penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/what-indigenous-society-has-to-teach-about-raising-kids/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/what-indigenous-society-has-to-teach-about-raising-kids/#item3693 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +0000 I almost wish I hadn’t written this column last week. I argued that Adelaide recruiter Matthew Rendell should not have been forced to resign over his warning that AFL clubs could get to a point where they only recruited Aboriginal players with one white parent. Rendell was pretty convincing when he argued he wasn’t suggesting this should be a policy; rather warning that this dire situation could come to pass. It was all about the context. With the gloriousness of hindsight I would have written it differently because the AFL community engagement manager Rendell made the comments to – Jason Mifsud – has a slightly different account of the conversation that makes it sound less like a pie-in-the-sky throwaway line and more part of an ongoing stereotyping within the AFL. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/indigenous-people-frozen-out-of-deciding-their-futures/ Good Government is about empowering people, creating a sense of community, facilitating change and giving people real choices. Fifty years ago the people managed our communities, looked after employment, hospitals, policing and schools. Problems that occurred in the community were sorted out by the community. However successive policies by both parties have moved Australia away from a community empowerment model towards a centralized control system with bureaucrats managing down on communities. The people with the power to help sort out problems with hospitals, policing and towns have been progressively removed from our communities, taking their power with them. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/indigenous-people-frozen-out-of-deciding-their-futures/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/indigenous-people-frozen-out-of-deciding-their-futures/#item3173 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +0000 I almost wish I hadn’t written this column last week. I argued that Adelaide recruiter Matthew Rendell should not have been forced to resign over his warning that AFL clubs could get to a point where they only recruited Aboriginal players with one white parent. Rendell was pretty convincing when he argued he wasn’t suggesting this should be a policy; rather warning that this dire situation could come to pass. It was all about the context. With the gloriousness of hindsight I would have written it differently because the AFL community engagement manager Rendell made the comments to – Jason Mifsud – has a slightly different account of the conversation that makes it sound less like a pie-in-the-sky throwaway line and more part of an ongoing stereotyping within the AFL. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/why-stop-at-binning-welcome-to-country-and-prayers/ While some argue Tony Abbott has “opened up the culture wars” by declaring the practice of respecting traditional Aboriginal land owners at official gatherings as “out of place tokenism”, you can’t deny that though controversial, the Ab-Blaster has a point. These repeatedly enforced preambles for the Whatever Tribe Of Wherever grow ever more meaningless each ensuing shindig, and are at best, descending into farce. It isn’t culture, it’s clutter. PCYC CEO Chris Gardiner has also picked up the dustpan and brush, declaring kicking off parliament with the Lord’s Prayer is not only intolerable, but “anachronistic at best… superstitious at worst”. The message is clear – it’s time for a clean out Australia! This is a big, brown and far too dusty land, and there’s plenty more mouldy, moth-eared, curry-stained tokenistic traditions still loitering about the flat, in desperate need of either chucking in the wash, or just a good old chucking out. Anzac Day marches: This bizarre annual tradition of old blokes marching up and down city streets, blocking shopping access to discount fashion outlets and electrical goods warehouses, has surely done its dash. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/why-stop-at-binning-welcome-to-country-and-prayers/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/why-stop-at-binning-welcome-to-country-and-prayers/#item2648 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +0000 I almost wish I hadn’t written this column last week. I argued that Adelaide recruiter Matthew Rendell should not have been forced to resign over his warning that AFL clubs could get to a point where they only recruited Aboriginal players with one white parent. Rendell was pretty convincing when he argued he wasn’t suggesting this should be a policy; rather warning that this dire situation could come to pass. It was all about the context. With the gloriousness of hindsight I would have written it differently because the AFL community engagement manager Rendell made the comments to – Jason Mifsud – has a slightly different account of the conversation that makes it sound less like a pie-in-the-sky throwaway line and more part of an ongoing stereotyping within the AFL.