Indigenous people should be given the rights to "govern" themselves

Comments on Sara Hudson “Wasting money damages Aboriginal health”, 10/12/2009, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/wasting-money-damages-aboriginal-health/story-e6frg6zo-1225808818702

It is very disappointing that there has been such a large gap between the Indigenous population and the rest of the nation in Australia.

The history shows that the government and bureaucracy and money are not necessarily effective in closing that gap.

There should be less red tapes and more accountability on the government's part. The problem with government on this issue is likely that they are either too afraid to do something for fearing that that is not right or not politically correct, or got involved too much in the detail where it simply does not have the expertise.

The government needs to stand back and take a different approach.

On the other hand, bureaucracy has also clearly been a problem. The recent Indigenous housing saga is one example. They are just too ineffective and inefficient. They should also stand back and get off the back of Indigenous people.

Indigenous people should be given the opportunity, funding and the rights and power to solve problems by themselves, with the assistance of government and other organisations when they require.

Indigenous people should take the initiatives and responsibility for their own welfare. If they fail themselves, that is their choice. But they are more likely to improve their welfare than any other outsiders can.