Profiting from disadvantage

"About 18 months ago I burned my 'proof of Aboriginality' and got off the Aboriginal gravy train for good.

"To accept preferential treatment on the basis of race is to participate in racism."

Pholi's extraordinary honesty earned 699, mostly positive, comments on the website. Too many professional Aborigines keep the war going for their benefit, not for the benefit of poor Aborigines.

As for homelessness, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has laboured mightily to extract itself from the lobby that desperately wants a big headline number of homeless.

The ABS published a headline figure for homelessness three years ago of 105,000 when the actual number was nearer 5000. After several revisions and much lobbying by the homeless lobby, the real number of homeless has been confirmed at 5000 but a headline figure of 90,000 or so has been allowed to be published under the name of the ABS. The figure comprises those who live in crowded houses, are staying with friends and family or are availing themselves of housing assistance. These conflated definitions and the assistance programs, which are likely to remain the "solution" to homelessness, combine to grossly exaggerate reality. Who are they kidding?

The time has come for the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader to come out swinging for all Australians. All Australians, from whatever background, are free to do their best. None should be typecast as losers, even when they are dealt a rough hand.

Australia needs a more robust politics built on individual integrity, not collective sectoral cringe on which so many "professionals" prey.