ADICAL ABORIGINAL PLANS

Date: 2 July 2007
Auckland 6am: There's growing support for Aboriginal communities after moves by the Australian Government to clamp down on what it says is a major problem of the abuse of children..

Trade unions and anti-racist groups will protest outside the Austalian Consulate in Auckland today....

And Green Party MP, Metiria Turei, says it shouldn't stop there. (listen)

Australian prime minister John Howard has announced a series of radical steps in response to what he says is a damning report on child abuse in indigenous territories.

Howard's introducing a ban on sales of alcohol and pornography, enforced by the military if need be, and welfare payments conditional on children attending school.

Part of the plan is to take control of Aboriginal land to improve property and public housing, paying compensation where necessary.

But Solidarity Union Secretary, Joe Carolan, says it's heavy handed and racist. (listen)

Medical camps have been set-up where it's believed voluneteer doctors will examine about 23,000 aboriginal children under the age of 16.

But Aboriginal health experts have told media that the medical checks are "highly inappropriate" and culturally insensitive.

niufm.com/site_resources/library/News/Lito/AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA_JUL207/joe_carolan..............8am..........277.mp3

niufm.com/site_resources/library/News/Lito/AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA_JUL207/metiria_turei............10am.........277.mp3