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We're not `civilised' if Indigenous people worse off: Barnett
Thursday, 2 July 2009
12:45:02 PM
NATIONAL, July 2, 2009: Australia can only think of itself as a civilised and successful nation once it ends Indigenous disadvantage, West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says.
Commonwealth, state and territory leaders are meeting in Darwin on Thursday to discuss how to improve the health, education and employment prospects of Indigenous people.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said on Wednesday the COAG meeting would "tackle the most intractable problem that has faced Australian governments since federation: closing the gap of Indigenous disadvantage".
Mr Barnett shares that view.
"This is Australia's great shame and this is our greatest challenge to become a truly civilised and successful nation," he told ABC Radio, adding things were heading in the right direction.
"There is an incredibly strong resolve amongst governments throughout Australia to actually get on the ground, roll your sleeves up and get on with it.
"The other aspect is there is a great willingness amongst Aboriginal communities to not just go forward, but to actually strive and achieve a true economic independence."
The Liberal premier said that might take a generation, but he'd never before seen such an alignment of resolve. - AAP
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