Mansell's Money Fix

Saying sorry for the past history of the stolen generation of indigenous Australians was done by our current government one year ago. There has been many calls for monetary compensation, lands rights issues and improvement for aboriginal health. Michael Mansell who is well known in Australia as an activist for aboriginal rights and issues had this to say:

"Aboriginal people, and especially members of the stolen generations, are probably worse off," indigenous leader and director of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, Michael Mansell said on Friday.

"There is no land rights for the dispossessed, no compensation for the stolen generations, the health standards are not improving and the Aboriginal imprisonment rate continues to climb ...

"The apology has provided the Rudd government with a political shield against criticism of its failures in Aboriginal affairs.

"Rudd used Aboriginals to improve his social standing, then walked away."

If Mr Mansell is claiming land rights for those dispossessed as he puts it, then surely he cannot mean today's generation.They were not dispossessed of any lands. They were born into a democratic, modern society where despite racism on both sides, they are a hell of a lot better off than if they were born 50 years ago. Will money make it right for the descendants of the stolen generation. For those that were unlawfully taken then yes I don't have any problem with compensation. Not for the descendants though. The Aboriginal culture is vast and rich in history and one to be respected but seriously, I ask, how many of today's youth truly live and explore their culture and live by it day to day.

Millions of dollars are spent on health issues in Australia, as well as extra on aboriginal health issues. If the money spent was managed and spent in the correct way as to educate all people and maybe, just maybe some, not all of those affected took notice of the education and health programs available, then again I ask, would there be so many issues?

There comes a time when you have to accept responsibility for your own actions which brings me to the point of Mansell's comment about the high rate of indigenous peoples in prison. Well why use race? No matter your race or ethnicity, you do the crime, you do the time. It is about time people such as Michael Mansell stopped using his aboriginality as an excuse. That is an insult to the intelligence ALL peoples especially those of his own culture. There is good and bad in all races, be it Caucasian or Aboriginal.

Prisoner's Compensation

After reading a story in the Cairns Post Tuesday June 3rd, I can't find a link online to connect to this story but did notice plenty of similar cases.

A prisoner from the correctional facility Lotus Glen near Mareeba has been awarded $500 compensation for a remark made by one of the prison guards. This particular case failed in two mediation hearings, a two day hearing before the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal where witnesses were flown from Cairns to Brisbane all at the expense of the tax payer.
Douglas Savage who works for the ADT heard the case and has criticised the the time and costs of such a matter being brought forward. He says the case could and should of been dealt with in a local magistrates court in under an hour.
The remark about the applicant was made by the guard to another, calling the prisoner, "a little black c**t". The prisoner was apparently offended by this remark and sought compensation through the legal system. The complaint was made in January 2006 and resulted in the amount of $500 AUD.
Racial discrimination is not acceptable but you will find remarks of the same and similar being bandied around everywhere in life. Imagine how bogged down the courts would be if every remark was filed for compensation. You often hear remarks about 'white trash', white c**t, yet if one was to bring about a lawsuit seeking damages, it would be laughed out of court and dismissed for the triviality that it is. I have to agree with Mr Savage who stated that it was a waste of tax payers dollars, and really what a frivolous claim to make. The only ones to make any money out of this would of been the lawyers acting for both parties.
This prisoner was jailed for two years for numerous assault charges occasioning bodily harm, assault while armed, unlicensed driving, breaching of domestic violence orders and drug possession. I fail to see how 3 words can worry a man so much that he seeks compensation and wonder if he gave a thought to those he robbed and assaulted. If those victims seek compensation, chances are he wont be able to pay and therefore the tax payer will again.
There is a difference between real discrimination and that of careless remarks. People need to grow thicker skins and stop wasting courts time and tying up valuable resources. Political correctness has gone overboard in many cases .