Quoting "Michael Scott" <luv@inoz.net>
One big difference is that migrants immigrated to Australia, whereas Europeans encroached on Aboriginal territory (originally). Aborigines didn't CHOOSE to come here and integrate into Australian culture. Immigrants did.
Alcohol is an issue in a great deal of Aboriginal society, but it, too, was introduced by Europeans.
That is true. But does it have to change how to deal with the problem at hand? Imagine - You have a mess and have to fix it - You have a proven method to fix it - You tried many other ways since 1967 and failed If I have a "mess" in my network, as I had yesterday, I do not care who caused it, I am working on a solution. I would not think: Well, that was Lisa's problem this time, so I do not try the normal way to fix it, I just walk over and give her a hug so she may feel better;-) The mess does not disappear that way.
If recognition of the Aboriginal people as the first Australians will help, without harming the body of the constitution, I'm all for it and I don't see any harm in it, only good.
If it means that I have to give a hug to Lisa every time, and are not allowed to fix her computer problem? Regards Peter