closing the gaps in australia

Sometimes I come across something that really covers the major points well. This article is one of those excellent outlines that encompasses wide ranging sub-topics within the major topic. Think - what do we really know about what is happening over the ditch?

From Green Left an awesome site  "Human rights shame: Aboriginal people fighting back."

"In February 2008 — at the first session of parliament after he won government — Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered a moving apology to the Stolen Generations, the Aboriginal children abducted from their families last century as part of a policy of social engineering to extinguish the Aboriginal identity."

The speech carried the promise that, unlike the preceding Coalition government, the new Labor government was willing to address the ongoing oppression Aboriginal Australians have suffered since the British invaded in 1788.

But the grim reality is that Aboriginal people continue to suffer human rights abuses as horrific as any occurring anywhere in the world. The Rudd government is maintaining Coalition policies that are making the situation worse.

Furthermore, such is the institutional nature of anti-Aboriginal racism that these abuses would pass unnoticed were it not for the strong resistance of the Aboriginal people themselves.

Rudd promised to “close the gap” between Indigenous and non-Indigenous education and health outcomes. The gap is indeed glaring: Aboriginal life expectancy is 17 years less than that of other Australians.

However, Rudd’s policies have actually increased the gap."

It is interesting that rudd used the 'closing the gaps' line so quickly dropped by labour here when the racists starting making noises. And isn't it also interesting that in trying to better the situation they have actually made it worse. Why did that happen? Perhaps they should have talked to and worked with the aboriginal people to help empower them.

Go here to read the full article - it really is an eye-opener.