Healthy cynicism ... deathly silence

There is little point in addressing Indigenous health if Aboriginal people are then left vulnerable to the extremist political philosophies of socialists from squalid little islands across the seas. And what about the upside of the Indigenous health crisis? There are obvious efficiencies in Australian health scientists having easy access to people suffering from diseases like tuberculosis.

There is no need for these medicos to drag out the passport, pay expensive departure taxes and lose valuable time on transcontinental travel. All they have to do is jump on a white-knuckle plane in Darwin and visit some remote Indigenous communities.

So where does Oxfam get off, lecturing Prime Minister Howard on what he should and shouldn't do? Howard is a good man. He's already saved this country plenty by sticking the knife into ATSIC and relieving Indigenous Australians from the bother of having to choose independent, elected representatives.

In my view, organisations like ATSIC are an expensive luxury, particularly when ministers like Mal “Evolent” Brough are so clearly acting in the best interests of Indigenous people to begin with.

Not surprisingly, the “Close the Gap” campaign has attracted the usual band-wagon jumpers. Minor sporting identities are jostling pitifully with each other to capture the last of the limelight.

Honestly, what has Cathy Freeman ever done, beyond inspiring a whole nation with her Olympic Gold triumph and then becoming one of the greatest Indigenous role models this country has ever seen?

And Ian Thorpe? Everyone knows that he's using: Using large doses of courage and compassion to try and make the world a better place. Around the globe, Thorpe is even more widely recognised than Bert Newton, so if he wants to fritter away his huge commercial potential by spending his time promoting Indigenous health and literacy then that's his look-out.

But the Oxfam rogues gallery is an even bigger club. They're brandishing endorsements from dodgy types like Mick Dodson and Tom Calma - as though HREOC Commissioners for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Social Justice - past and present - have any particular credibility.

Talk about keeping bad company. Consider the facts: Calma played rugby league and Dodson is buying a house.

If this crushing weight of evidence against Oxfam wasn't already conclusive, my enquiries reveal that the organisation may also be acting in cahoots with an extremist political group which has cells all across the country.

It's true. Those dangerous radicals from the ALP are on the case, with Indigenous affairs spokesperson, Jenny Macklin, issuing what looks very much like a statement of support for the Oxfam outrage.

The prosecution rests.