by JANE CLARK
Sometimes I wonder whether the political labels that currently exist have any bearing on current Australian culture. I think there was a turning point in the Northern Territory 3½ years ago when the conservative Howard Federal Government rode rough shod over us and sent in the military solution dubbed ‘The intervention’.
Suited in army fatigues they arrived, ripping up programs which did good in a myriad of ways before considering the ongoing consequences. Sadly, the good intentions of this initiative were overshadowed by the speed of implementation and arrogance of those in charge. It was a charge of the light brigade when the ‘Little Children are Sacred’ report had recommended a slower, community by community approach, where each community owned their own solutions.
Remember that this was ‘justified’ by the NT Government’s slow reaction to the ‘Little Children are Sacred’ report into child neglect in the NT. In hindsight we realise that the Territory had nowhere near the funds required to do what was needed. This eventually cost the Chief Minister her position.
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