Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Truth the first casualty

By Graham Ring - posted Tuesday, 18 September 2007


The main theme of Brough's address was the terrifying prospect of a red Rudd federal government lacking the ticker to take on the full-house of socialist state premiers. But he took time out for a romp on his permit-system hobby-horse: "You don't lift the fog of drug addiction with a permit system," he fulminated.

"You don't say, ‘No one's going to come in here because I've got a bit of paper. This bit of paper is going to protect you.’ That's a fraud. That is a lie."

Brough made no recommendation to abolish driving licences because some people got behind the wheel without them. Nor did he suggest doing away with passports because bad guys sometimes cross borders without valid travel documents. But - logic notwithstanding - he insists that permits have to go.

Advertisement

No matter that the permit system remains remote Indigenous Australia's first line of defence against not only drug-traffickers, but against those who peddle porn, petrol and grog.

No matter that it stands as a deterrent against those who would prey on children, or disrespect sacred sites.

No matter that the Central Land Council approves more than 3,990 of the 4,000 permit applications it receives in a given year - or that both the Central Land Council and the Northern Land Council actively facilitate the attendance of journalists at “on-country” court-hearings.

No matter that the overwhelming majority of Indigenous Territorians - along with the NT police union - support the retention of the permit system.

If the Minister has found a hole in an otherwise very useful fence, his task should be to repair the hole - not demolish the fence.

But the Howard Government has declared war, and as ever, truth is the first casualty.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All

First published in the National Indigenous Times, Issue 137, on September 6, 2007.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

16 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Graham Ring is an award-winning writer and a fortnightly National Indigenous Times columnist. He is based in Alice Springs.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Graham Ring

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Graham Ring
Article Tools
Comment 16 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy