Harpodom Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-26/call-for-end-to-perverted-race-based-welfare/4223694 One of Australia's foremost Indigenous thinkers is calling for an end to race-based entitlement. In a landmark speech at the Melbourne Writers' Festival on Sunday night, the University of Melbourne's Chair of Indigenous Studies, Professor Marcia Langton, proposed a social security and wider policy system based only on economic need, and not Aboriginality. She said it would help end a "perverted" sense of entitlement, as well as stop the perception that non-Aboriginal people may be taking advantage of the system. "If we dispense with that definition of Aboriginal people and treat Aboriginal people as First Peoples - that is our status derives from us being here before settlement - not on the basis of race but an historical argument, then Aboriginal people become citizens with an attribute that is political, not racial." I think Marcia Langton is right on this issue. People, whoever they are, need to be treated as equals, regardless of their race. Essentially welfare and health needs should be prioritised in terms of need, rather than race. What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petals Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 I agree with what she said. However their are so many people employed looking after Aboriginal Affairs don't think they will agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest littlesarah Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 However their are so many people employed looking after Aboriginal Affairs don't think they will agree. But the same number of people would still be needed to administer the schemes that would have to set up to replace the ones based entirely on race. I agree with Ms Langton's position on this, in that we need to move away from race and base welfare provision on need, irrespective of ethnic origin. Services must still be provided in ways that encourage uptake and interaction by the community - but that can be done at a local level. I agree also that there is a need to deal with the constitution issue, which will require education and information for Australians to be equipped to make informed decisions. None of Marcia's proposals are short-term, it is all about the longer-term view and goals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugby Lad Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 I agree with her, definitely the way forward in the long term. There is still a distinct difference in the life of indiginous and non-indiginous Australians though. The job I do, and the fact that it's in a regional centre, brings me into contact with a lot of indiginous people and, bad as this may sound, when I treat indiginous Australians I mentally add 30yrs onto their age so I can clinically diagnose them. For example the 19yr old female who had a "heart attack" on Friday night or the 62 yr old stroke victim, same night, who is very much coming to the end of his life. Officially the town I live in has a 15% indiginous population but in reality it is far higher as when indiginous people come into town (as they have to for many services not available in the smaller towns) they tend to bring the whole extended family and stay with family / friends here. It is not unusual to go to normal 3 bedroom houses with 20 people living in them. For younger guys (sorry to be sexist but it is generally guys) who want to get ahead in mainstream Australia this is a big problem. I have mates / aquaintances who feel as though their homes have been 'invaded' by distant relatives as soon as they've made a good living or they deliberately live in hostel type accommodation to get away from this. It almost seems as though the answer is to be in one "world" or the other. Either live remote, under traditional law or fully join mainstream Australia whilst retaining a pride in where you come from. Those falling in the middle somewhere (accepting "sit-down money" but not living a traditional life) there seems to be massive problems. I don't think anyone on here really has the answer to any of it. On a bit of a tangent the "Big Ideas" show on ABC is excellent. Seen some really good lectures and discussions on it. Proof that Australia can make some top-notch TV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest17301 Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 I think the current system can only serve to fuel and highlight the 'difference' I don't think I realised that it was 'race' based entitlement as opposed to 'need' based. What a crackpot system...how to keep them in their place or what...I thought the idea was to throw off old prejudices not keep them intact... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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