To borrow an idea from the editorial in Crikey today... The new measures to improve Aboriginal well-being suggested by the Howard Govt today stink and reek of old fashioned paternalism!

How is cutting off half someone's welfare payment going to stop them from drinking or gambling? The govt's rationale for it - take away the money and they will stop drinking and gambling (just like that!) and will instead, redirect the money (when it is reinstated) to clothing and food for their children. DOH! 

How about providing better programs for awareness of social problems like drinking, gambling and domestic violence? Better education and schools in remote areas? Better mentoring programs for youth?

This has made me SO ANGRY. 

Ya....I'm not sure where he's getting his research or info from that tells him he can do that - if he is referring to anything. Lets just pick one aspect and the research of that - drinking.

Alcoholism is such a strong addiction that people don't need anything else - whatever money comes to them they will spend on alcohol - despite not having eaten for days. So they'll do what it takes to get the next drink but are not going to snap out of drinking cause they have no money.

It will have to be a comprehensive self - help cum self - sustainance program - would take a lot to do that. What i mean by that is - if the notion is - welfare money is free money - then just reducing welfare income is not going to get rid of the mindset of freebies - the benefciary would have to work for his welfare benefits.

It does not have to be just physical working - but show that they are cleaning up their act and maintain their sober state. Help people who are taking steps to help themselves. But the steps/system has to be set in place - say when a person gets out of rehab - he can be directed to a support system that is in place for him/her to go to - has case reviewed regularly, etc.

Sounds very idealistic - esp since it would require a fair amount of finance and resources from Govt and services. But i dun see how cutting finanaces help if these things are not in place. 

One word - election