Be strong, keep ‘young and free’

I have always been sympathetic to the Aboriginal cause, but it can't proceed on the basis that some people have a better right to title, or say, than others because of race. The cards have fallen where they are, and we must all play our best game with what we have, not try to reshuffle the deck.

If Aborigines want more say in the government of Australia then there are existing mechanisms to get elected, and there are large areas of Australia where Aborigines are in the majority. A number have successfully made the trip.

Like most Australians, I had no say in being here, so I don't bear any personal responsibility for what went before, and trying to perpetuate an antecedent state of affairs when its time is well-passed won't serve any of us well, Australian born or immigrant.

Australia is young. It's a project in which we can all rejoice. It's unfortunate that these young men, all of who put on a display of honourable masculinity on and off the field last night, have been convinced it doesn't have a spot for them.