`Shame, Howard, shame'

By Caroline Tapp and Sally Mitchell

DARWIN -- On September 13 more than 500 Aboriginal people marched for NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee) Week shouting ``Shame, Howard, shame''. They were protesting against the Howard government's attacks on Aboriginal people, including cutting $400 million dollar from ATSIC's budget.

Parallelling the government's offensive is the mass media's promotion of Pauline Hanson as an outrageously politically incorrect fish and chip shop owner who accurately represents the views of the average Australian. Hanson's reactionary view that Aboriginal people are ``more equal'' than other Australians, however, does not equate with reality.

Josie Crawshaw, Gurindji woman and manager of the Top End Aboriginal Coalition, told the NAIDOC rally: ``We are here also celebrating 30 years of land rights for the Gurindji. They have won back their land, but I want you to come and see my uncle's house. These people live in tin houses, with no refrigeration, no kitchen and no bathroom. That is the state of Aboriginal affairs in Australia, and it will be even worse once we feel the real impact of government cuts.''

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