Abbott hits the wall
Tony Abbott talks to David Winjinana (left) and Michael Gorey in their humpy on the edge of Hoppy's Camp, Alice Springs, where the two have lived for 5 years / Pic: Ray Strange Source: The Daily Telegraph
PAUL TOOHEY writes in The Daily Telegraph:
THERE was a point on Monday morning when Tony Abbott, visiting the wreckage that is Hoppy’s town camp in Alice Springs, appeared barely able to look Ted Robinson and his wife Anita in the eyes.
The Aboriginal couple were cooking food on the concrete floor of their home, a structure without walls. Abbott stared at his hands.
It seemed the enormity of the problem had really hit him. He had to say something to the press accompanying him on his four-day tour of central Australia, because he had pre-arranged this media moment at the town camp.
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on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 11:58 am and is filed under Features and tagged with alice springs, hoppy's camp, tony abbott.
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Alice Springs, AUSTRALIA
If you knew anything about aboriginal culture you would know that older aboriginals do not look you in the eye. As a sign of respect to them you do not make eye contact. Since a little girl growing up in alice springs this was always the way. You know very little about respect if you assumed Tony Abbitt was being rude. Facts are needed before you begin to insult.
Thanks Janet. Interesting point. I presume this comment is addressed to the author of the article.
This charade was nothing more than a media beat-up and a very expensive one at that. Image – numerous white 4WDs, media sharks and party politicians all descending like sea-gulls on a few people in town camps and out on country. I wonder what all that cost in a monetary sense? Could have built at least one house!!
If Tony Abbott and the other politicians were really serious about wanting to be informed by Aboriginal people and really seeing some of ‘it’ for themselves, they would do it quietly and sincerely. Ian and Lyn Conway are tremendous people who ‘get on with the job’ of working together with Aboriginal people and providing opportunities for them to receive a good education – quietly and sincerely. Abbott could learn alot from them.
Party politicians (of all persuasions)are controlled and dictated to by their party machines. Where are the real interests of the people being served in all this?