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Consult Aborigines and then plan how to help

by Malcolm Fraser

13 July 2007 - There is general agreement that we are long overdue in introducing policies and actions that will improve the wellbeing of Australia's indigenous population. That is why there is general approval that the Federal Government is now seen to be doing something. Much of the reaction to this initiative has, however, been superficial.

Aboriginal leaders, and many others, have been asking for action over the entire life of the Government. Why has the Government been so slow to act?

Why has so little planning gone into this action plan? Why are survey teams visiting Aboriginal communities only after the announcement of the plan? Normally assessments are made before policy is announced. Then there is a clear idea of how many doctors and nurses are required, and how much money will be needed.

And this is not just a matter of health professionals. It is also a question of putting much greater funds into Aboriginal education, of bringing services to remote communities, which can enable their inhabitants to gain skills and thereby reasonable employment. Services are taken to remote, very small, white communities. The School of the Air is a good example. Why do we do so much worse for Aboriginal communities?

Canada has shown us what can be achieved, if we are prepared to put much greater resources into health and education. The Government has spoken of a six-month action plan. But what is needed is a 20-year plan, designed to enable many more Aboriginal Australians to play full and productive roles in national life, while understanding and respecting their own culture and historic tradition.

The Labor Party has not been particularly vigorous, during the past 10 years, in championing a better deal for Aborigines. They have done little to press the Government, even where there are clear failures, such as the fall in the number of Aboriginal students in our universities in the years since this Government came to power. Now Aboriginal people are asking whether this Government initiative is aimed at disempowering them even more.

What is the Government's real agenda, many are asking? Why does the explanatory memorandum on the legislation to amend the Aboriginal Land Rights Act read: "The principal objectives (of this bill) are to improve access to Aboriginal land for development, especially mining …" What has that got to do with child abuse? And what logic is there in the proposal to remove the permit system, whereby Aboriginal leaders decide who can come onto their land? Surely that will only enable non-indigenous pedophiles to have easier access to Aboriginal children. Yet non-indigenous pedophiles are a significant part of the problem.

The Government constantly highlights the misdeeds of Aboriginal people, giving the impression that practically all are addicted to alcohol and drugs, abuse their children, and are prone to domestic violence. The reality is very different. There are many fine Aboriginal communities where these problems are dealt with effectively by their leaders when they arise.

A more effective strategy would be to highlight the communities that are getting on top of their problems, while tackling the problems of dysfunctional communities with minimal publicity. When the situation improves, then the improvements can be publicised. In that way, respect for Aboriginal Australians would grow among the wider community, and so would Aboriginal morale. But this Government seems more interested in suggesting that Aboriginal people are incapable.

The Government has undertaken a highly complex and important task. So far the initiatives have caused many fears. It will only succeed if the Aboriginal community is consulted and fully involved in planning the strategy. If this is done, and there is a willingness to provide the necessary resources over many years, then it will be possible to build a better future.

Malcolm Fraser was prime minister from 1975 to 1983.

Source: The Age

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