Australian angst: is the tide turning?

Further to my previous posts on this subject, it would appear that the accepted strategy of non-intervention in Aboriginal communities may finally be falling out of favour, with Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott calling for a new "paternalism" in indigenous affairs. I must say, I applaud this concept: for too long Australians have allowed a two-tier version of citizens' rights to exist, based on an outdated and misguided idea that the Australian Government should not intervene in indigenous affairs. I hope that this new idea catches on. There is clearly a great deal of work to be done, in terms of healthcare, law and order, education and eliminating poverty, and the first step on the way to this should be to acknowledge that both the Australian Government and the Aboriginal communities must share the responsibility in addressing these difficult issues.