LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Sir – I am responding to comments from Des Rogers, Deputy Chief Executive of the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress about the Little Children are still Sacred report.
I was shocked to hear his comments. I think it is deplorable that he has said the Federal Intervention demonised men.
Let me remind Mr Rogers of some recent history: The Northern Territory National Emergency Response, first mounted by the Federal Coalition Government six years ago, and prolonged for the past five years by a Federal Government of his own Labor Party, is a concerted bid to strengthen the well-being of Aboriginal children and families in the Territory.
It is not an assault on men, nor is it an assault on their dignity. Men are a part of the family unit. We need leaders who bring people together, not spokesmen who seek to divide them down the lines of gender.
The Federal Intervention highlighted severe child abuse and neglect in Aboriginal communities and it has put these issues on the national stage and the conversation continues today.
There has been unprecedented investment and focus from the Federal Government on Aboriginal disadvantage especially in the areas of health, housing and family support.
When there are social problems in a community like alcoholism or drug addiction it is the children that hurt the most, comments like these from Mr Rogers do nothing to further the cause of abused and neglected children.
Alison Anderson
Minister for Children and Families