Goodesy appointed to new Aboriginal Council

[Damien]

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,11308348%255E19742,00.html

[BAZooka Woman]

That's fantastic - great to see his interest in getting into Aboriginal affairs coming off so soon after he started his studies.

But does this mean he'll be cutting back on the footy action?

[Damien]

Originally posted by BAZooka Woman

But does this mean he'll be cutting back on the footy action?

Not in the slightest! The Swans wouldn't allow it anyway.

[Mark]

I hope he has not been duped and knows what he is letting himself in for.

The unilateral scraping of ATSIC and replacement with government appointed percieved 'lackies' is not overly popular in sections of the aboriginal community.

Sure he knows a lot more on the subject than me though

[sharp9]

Originally posted by Mark
The unilateral scraping of ATSIC and replacement with government appointed percieved 'lackies' is not overly popular in sections of the aboriginal community.

This is, very possibly, a goode thing....don't get me wrong I'm waaaaay over the other side from Howard's politics. All the more reason to seek a solution that actually works rather than worrying about what is "popular."

The decision to kill Iraqi civilians is very popular in Idaho. That doesn't mean it is necessarily the best policy for spreading freedom and democracy around the world.

[Mark]

Agree ATSIC was a shambles and needed overhaul, just not sure a Government appointed (espec Howard Gvnmt not known for reconciliation) committee is the answer

I guess we will find out soon enough

[footyhead]

Originally posted by Mark
Agree ATSIC was a shambles and needed overhaul, just not sure a Government appointed (espec Howard Gvnmt not known for reconciliation) committee is the answer

I guess we will find out soon enough

Anyone who trusts Howard to do anything ( other than give anal service to whoever is the current US presidant at any given moment), Is completley UnAustralian.

[Go Swannies]

Now I know I'm in trouble - I just found myself agreeing with Footyhead.

When I hear of this appointment over the weekend my first thought was "that's great for Adam" and second was "I hope it doesn't take his mind off his game". He has been saying that he's been taking his Aboriginality more seriously since he saw Rabbitproof Fence - and finding out his mother was one of the stolen generation.

Adam has the chance to be a geniune football genius. This year we saw the combination of the post-Brownlow blues and substantial injury. Next year could go either way. It still could - a lot of people lift with more responsibility while others get distracted. I hope it's the former for AG.

On the political side, yes this is a cynical exercise by the government but that doesn't mean that it can't be made to work. I don't think Adam would ever be taken as a token representative. For the Swans, when you consider how many Aboriginal players there are in the AFL it's a hell of a statement of support for the Swan's player.

I'd love to know what Paul Roos said about the appointment.

[Troy G]

I'll wait to see what happens but as I understand it this board will only make recommendations. Like recommendations that we're still waiting to see implemented fully from the "Black Deaths in Custody" and "Stolen Generations" reports to name but two!

My tip is that one by one they will quit the board in frustration as their recommendations aren't carried out due to " it not being practical" or "budget contraints".

Personally I believe it's going to need not just a board, but a full national summit with the best minds both indigenous and non indigenous in various fields (especially health) coming together and forcing governments at all levels to sign agreements and legislation at the conclusion of the summit to get the ball rolling, then it would need corporate support and good old fashion volunteers rolling their sleeves up and putting in...the whole national with a common goal to right the wrongs.

Good on Adam for having a go though because it's about people NOT politics and there's much that needs to be done. No doubt Adam's got his eye on his post footballing future with the move.

Interesting to see that Michael Long knocked them back though, was Adam second choice?

[The Undertaker]

Well done to Goodesy!A great aboriginal role model and a fantastic player!

[footyhead]

Originally posted by The Undertaker
Well done to Goodesy!A great aboriginal role model and a fantastic player!

How could anyone take aboriginal issues seriously and still have voted for Howard. His record is apalling. Shame on anyone who voted for that disgusting little @@@@ of a liar.
You know who you are.

[Mark]

Originally posted by Troy G
Personally I believe it's going to need not just a board, but a full national summit with the best minds both indigenous and non indigenous in various fields (especially health) coming together and forcing governments at all levels to sign agreements and legislation at the conclusion of the summit to get the ball rolling, then it would need corporate support and good old fashion volunteers rolling their sleeves up and putting in...the whole national with a common goal to right the wrongs.

Spot on, the health issue is very difficult and sensitive. The frustration that comes from this area alone is mind boggling. It reaches far beyond simple agreements and providing adequate health care, it is a minefield and a national tragedy

I only wish some of the one nation types could witness what is loosely described as health care in some communities.

No easy fix as there is a whole philosophical debate surrounding 'quality of indigenous life' as opposed to 'quantity of western life' for want of a better expression.

I wish Adam well

[caj23]

Just a couple of quick points:

I agree that the state of aboriginal health and education is appalling in certain areas and something certainly needs to be done to address it, but this has been an ongoing problem that existed long before the coalition came into power

The obvious thing that Howard hasn't done which has angered alot of people is that he has refused to issue an apology to the aboriginal people for the actocities of past generations.

Aside from this issue can anyone actually provide some specific examples of what Howard has done that has been so terrible in this area or is it just the standard Howard bashing?

It is clear that ATSIC wasn't working and action had to be taken - i don't know if this is the solution, but we can only hope that it improves the state of play

[Norris Lurker]

Congratulations to Goodesy. As Undertaker said, he's a great Aboriginal role model and a great player; but this is a new challenge for him.

[floppinab]

Originally posted by Will Sangster


The obvious thing that Howard hasn't done which has angered alot of people is that he has refused to issue an apology to the aboriginal people for the actocities of past generations.

Aside from this issue can anyone actually provide some specific examples of what Howard has done that has been so terrible in this area or is it just the standard Howard bashing?

Apart from the apology, tokenistic or not, a pretty easy thing to do when you think about, it's not what he has done that's the problem it's that there is a ****load he hasn't done to try and address the issues. If it is agreed that ATSIC isn't working then fine, at least the powers that be at the time had a crack to doing something and set it up, a lot better than sitting on your hands doing SFA. How long's he been in power again???