Indigenous education

Brough to push for no school, no welfare
RHIANNA KING and PETER KERR

26 May 2007
The West Australian

(c) 2007, West Australian Newspapers Limited

The Federal Government is set to introduce a controversial "no school, no welfare" policy as part of a new push to boost education in indigenous communities, which includes making English compulsory for all Aboriginal students.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough was accused by the State Government yesterday of spreading populist nonsense "straight from the Pauline Hanson handbook", for suggesting Aboriginal children would have no chance of escaping a cycle of poverty if they spoke only their traditional language, which a handful of people could understand.

He was supported by Prime Minister John Howard, who said Aboriginal children should learn English just like children who migrated to Australia had to.

State Indigenous Affairs Minister Michelle Roberts said the idea was populist, unnecessary and the sign of a desperate Government.

"Its out of the Pauline Hanson handbook. I think theyre desperate and behind in the polls," she said.
"This whole focus on making sure they speak English is somewhat exaggerated. I would suggest that in most of the remote communities where Ive been, Ive yet to meet a child who doesnt speak English."

The Howard Governments renewed focus on the issue, which comes before the 40th anniversary of the referendum giving Parliament the power to make laws for Aboriginals, could see welfare payments withheld from the parents of truant children.

"I will look at anything at all, both incentives as well as things such as welfare quarantining, to assist the circumstances," Mr Brough said.

A similar program at Halls Creek District High School last year boosted school attendance from 54 per cent to 80 per cent in the two months it operated.

Chairman of Australian Indigenous Studies at Murdoch University Len Collard agreed with the push to keep Aboriginals at school, but said the move needed to involve improved teacher education.

Mr Collard said Mr Broughs plan for all Aboriginal students to learn English was insulting and could see indigenous languages eroded.

Shadow Federal indigenous affairs minister Jenny Macklin said the Government had ignored the issue for years.