The Great debate continues
Debate has raged ever since the Government announced an emergency response to child sex abuse in the Northern Territory and with it, a range of sweeping reforms. The Senate debated final amendments to the 5 bills today. Two of the most controversial reforms relate to the Land Rights Act, where the Government will partially abolish the land permits system and allow the government to take control of Aboriginal towns on 5 year leases. Many groups are questioning whether there is even a link between the changes to land Act and child abuse. Professor Dorothy Scott, the Director of the Australian Centre for Child Protection speaks with the Wire, as do Dr Mark Wenitong, President of the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association, Chairman for the Aboriginal Resource and Development Services, Reverend Djinyini Gondarra and Dr Rob Ranzijn, a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of South Australia.