Practical skills best option for Aboriginal people

Practical skills best option for Aboriginal people

Aboriginal communities in New South Wales will be further marginalised under Tony Abbott’s proposed New Paternalism approach, said Ian Cohen, NSW Greens MLC.

“Tony Abbott proposes a strategy which would wind back the clock for Aboriginal communities. The new approach would see control of communities in the hands of powerful administrators, a strategy which is an eerie reminder of failed policies of the past,” Mr Cohen said.

“The Federal Government is trying to drastically change direction when what they should be doing is supporting and consolidating these communities. Local leaders should be equipped with practical skills and support to run their communities effectively.

“Proposed amendments to the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act are mostly positive steps by the NSW Government to allow the State’s aboriginal communities to take greater control of their future.

“However the Iemma Government should take immediate steps to repay the missing $65 million owed to Aboriginal families for wages stolen from them over many decades.”

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