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Mansell Urges Prime Minister to Rethink by Involving Community Leaders from Northern Territory

24 June 2007 - Michael Mansell has urged Prime Minister Howard to rethink the way he is pushing ahead with his incursion plans in Northern Territory Aboriginal communities. “I strongly urge Mr Howard to involve community leaders so they are not “done to” by another “whitefella boss”, Mr Mansell said.

“A blind and swift incursion can do more harm than good. What happens after the police and army leave, and the doctors return to their hospitals or private practices, and the election is over? Will the Prime Minister’s commitment remain, and will the alternative Prime Minister continue Mr Howard’s efforts?

A more compassionate and considered approach would involve the very people being targeted. Failure to do so will create a bigger gap between whites and Aborigines as Aboriginal people will feel the brunt of white authority. Our people will be left with much resentment caused by this virtual invasion of their communities.”

Mr Mansell also called for more sensible debate about how to improve the lives of Aborigines in remote communities. “It does not help when any dissenter to Mr Howard’s myopic view is demonised like ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope was by Noel Pearson and John Howard. They suggested Mr Stanhope was on another planet because he disagreed with the method Mr Howard was adopting”.

“The way things are proceeding, “ Mr Mansell added, “Aboriginal communities will feel like they are on another planet, being vilified in the media and having the army and more police sent to watch over them. We can only wonder how far Mr Howard will exert state control over the vulnerable.”

Michael Mansell
Legal Director - Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre
Tel + 61 (0) 429 310 116

Source: Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre

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