Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin is reported across the media as being concerned at the number of indigenous Australians who are voting with their feet and fleeing the draconian Northern Territory Intervention.
Well the only surprise here is that it has taken so long to happen. This current small population shift is bound to grow bigger over time.
Nobody wants to stay in places where government agencies and personnel treat you like second-class citizens. Where everyone is reduced to using a form of ration card, stripped of what little dignity has been afforded them and handled as though they are idiots.
Last night Radio Australia told the world that part of the NT population is moving.
Embarrassing for the Rudd Government, but twice as embarrassing for all those who voted for a change in government attitude and behaviour.
So what are you going to do now, Ms. Macklin. Forbid people to move out of Northern Territory indigenous townships without a signed pass? Then you will truly earn the title Jackboot Jenny.
The NT Intervention used a model and strategies which were bound to fail because they were based on forms of coercion and racism.
The Rudd Government needs to pull out of this approach completely or lose credibility. Not next week, not next month - now.
There are better ways to address the well-documented problems in rural and remote communities.
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