Promoting people's rights and civil liberties. It is non-party political and independent of other organisations.
System being gamed?  Are Aborigines suffering?

System being gamed? Are Aborigines suffering?

Civil liberties and human rights often involve finely-balanced judgements. In homelessness and welfare, resources are limited so tough decisions are needed. But natural cultural restraint can cost some people much-needed help, particularly Australia’s Indigenous peoples. A CLA Darwin member cites some examples.

‘System’ being gamed? Aborigines suffer further?

By a member of CLA from the Northern Territory

There are many things troubling me over civil liberties but I will cite just a couple of related examples.

The first concerns the council flat next to my friend. Recent arrivals from the Middle East, with a baby, were given a two-bedroom flat in Darwin well ahead of local Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

Some months later, they separated. He stayed in the flat and rents out the spare room; she was given a new two-bedroom flat in the next building and she rents out the spare room.

They are lovely people but culturally advantaged over local Australians in that they can utilise their middle class skills to gain favourable results from aid and government agencies, and they have a network of influential and experienced family, friends and acquaintances to tap into for local and bureaucratic know-how. They are economic refugees who will do well in Australia.

However, their start comes at the cost of helping those from a culture which is not only behind the ‘prejudice’ line but is made up of people who are not conditioned to even consider using bully-like, pragmatic, ‘squeaky-gate’ tactics to counter new arrivals who – in relation to accessing local facilities – are definitely “queue-jumpers”.

Secondly, I believe there should be mechanisms to recognise cultural, religious or sexual advantages and disadvantages between groups accessing welfare funds!

Whose civil liberties are being infringed when a woman collapses crying (with the children screaming) and therefore gets instant attention, is taken to a private room – and is later seen getting into a big car (non-government) – whilst my Aboriginal friend sits quietly until told to come back tomorrow.

Sadly, I am also the type who taught my family not to bully, but to be patient. These attributes and attitudes are definitely disadvantageous in modern Australia.

– Darwin, January 2012

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