Reality gap between words and action (letter)

by M. Gordon

News Weekly, March 1, 2008
Sir,

The Federal Government's apology to indigenous Australians has occupied the public consciousness for some time.

But, as former Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Mal Brough rather inconveniently pointed out in a speech at a recent Quadrant dinner, the reality of indigenous lives is eons away from the events of Canberra.

Prime Minster Kevin Rudd failed to acknowledge the role of his own Labor Party in originating almost all of the legislation which he now condemns.

Nor did Queensland Premier Anna Bligh have much to show for her state in improving the lives of its indigenous citizens since the 1999 state apology. In fact, it was embarrassingly light on, and her quick switch to attacking Queensland public opinion highlighted her government's lack of credibility.

If I seem hard on these and other state ALP governments, I am, because I am mightily annoyed that they have undermined the Howard Government-initiated federal intervention in the Northern Territory by allowing the movement of alcohol from interstate, particularly from WA.

(Mr) M. Gordon,
Flynn ACT