On 22/02/2013 10:37 AM, Trent W. Buck wrote:
This is clearly FUCKED UP. I doubt a non-binding preamble change will help. I *really* doubt denying that there is a problem will help.
There definitely are problems, but how best to solve them is not easy, changing the constitution won't help in this at all. There is support for Aborigines, but they can choose to improve their own situation greatly if they want to, by themselves -- alcohol and violence are big factors, so is diet. As with all groups in societies, some will want help, others will not. There are plenty of disabled people whom cannot stand being treated any differently to those without disabilities. In any case, the whole point of the discussion was to help ensure that people have awareness of the dangers of giving local councils even more authority and also anything else that could result from a constitutional change (including the proposals to change the preamble for Aboriginal recognition). Again I state that no change to the Constitution is warranted and nor is it worth the risk to accept a change for either of these two cases for which a referendum is expected to be held soon. If local councils must continue to exist, then they must fairly charge rates and not impose illegal fines. Just heard during the week about "council fines" being able to be sent to charities via a court order, that was instead of going to councils -- well that is no more [1]. Many charities will now miss out and councils will just swallow up extra money from the community. Councils operate as corporations with executive salaries, exercising powers beyond their jurisdiction. There is no shortage of money going through your local council. [1] http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/donations-for-charity-ruled-out-20130219-2... Cheers A.