A dry argument for a great culture

Don't stand between a whitefella and his grog. Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough is learning this hard lesson as he continues to backtrack on his much-vaunted intervention arrangements.

In this most grave of circumstances - this “national emergency” - the federal government has imposed a raft of changes so draconian that they could only be foisted on blackfellas.

What other group in Australia would have their social security payments quarantined, even when there is no suggestion that they have behaved irresponsibly? Would have the very title to their land compulsory acquired without consultation? Would have their private property thrown open for the casual gratification of rubbernecks?

As you would expect, there has been a fierce backlash. But it hasn't come from those who have had their basic human rights wrenched away. Incredibly the howling and wailing and gnashing of teeth have come from the tourist industry and the liquor lobby groups.

Regular readers will recall our recent discussion about “beers and boats and boys and bulldust”.

The Minister made it clear that a few passing concerns about the sexual abuse of Aboriginal children were not going to prevent blokes from exercising their God-given right to drink beer on fishing trips.

Now the florid hyperbole of “national emergency” has again been drowned out by the clink of the cash-registers.

Mal “Backflip” Brough has changed the rules to ensure that tourists on organised bus trips can continue to have their sunset sips at Uluru.

The Anangu people who have lived and died on this country for thousands of years know The Rock as a holy place. The sheer immensity of the magnificent mesa rising in stark contrast from the surrounding plains leaves an indelible impression.

To suggest that there are tourists unable to contemplate this wonderment without a drop of the doings indicates a tragically primitive whitefella society. Now, I am no wowser. A cold beer on a hot day is one of life's joys, as is a nice glass of red with the rump steak.

But let's get a grip.

Remember, the viewing areas at The Rock are all of 20 minutes drive from the cheesy tourist resorts of Yulara. Here, waiters in crisp, white shirts are only too happy to present poolside, bearing cocktails festooned with plastic monkeys and umbrellas.

Are we seriously asked to believe that people will not postpone libation for an hour's stunning sunset contemplation? Even when they are only 20 minutes from wining and dining at the resort? Or knocking down a stubby or three as the guitar player cranks out Khe Sanh at the backpackers?

I reckon the lobby groups are selling their clients short. I just don't believe that visitors are so desperate for a drink that they would deny themselves the magnificence of Uluru.

I believe that most would be happy to briefly forgo the booze as an act of respect for a great culture.

Right next door to Uluru lies the often-demonised Aboriginal community of Mutitjulu. Some of the residents here - just like some residents in any Australian community - fight a battle with the grog. But few other Australians have been as brutalised as the residents of remote communities like Mutitjulu.

Where the world is as bleak as this, grog and ganja are in demand. Not just on the occasional Saturday night, but as a daily opiate to help dull the misery. Here in the Centre, grog is part of the “lifestyle” for white and black alike. Alice Springs Town Council recently voted against investigating the possibility of a “dry day”.

Under this proposal, the sales of take-away grog - but not drinking in pubs or clubs - would be restricted.

Incredibly the aldermen couldn't bring themselves to vote in favour of collecting the information which might help them make a thoughtful decision. Narrow-mindedness on this scale boggles the mind.

To hear Pat Anderson speak passionately about the damage grog is doing to Indigenous communities is to know that something serious must be done. Now. If this happens to involve some minor inconvenience for tourists then that's just tough luck.

For goodness sake Minister Brough, your political career is just about to go down the chute, along with that of all your front-bench colleagues.

Stand up and do something brave.