The Government's Aboriginal Reform Program

The government's Aboriginal reforms are fascinating, but I doubt this is new. There has probably been much fascinating research and ideas before now. However, these reforms seem to be, at the very least, a step in the right direction – because they are a step and because that step is more good than bad (or so I see it). I have no doubt it is all complex philosophically and no doubt it will prove even more complex as it works out (or doesn't) on the ground. No doubt it's one of those things you can't say much about unless you know the situation and the people intimately. So I'll just comment on one thing.

As I understand it, Aboriginal people will be convicted for the sins they have committed. Men will go to jail for abusing children. Parents will have their welfare payments controlled by someone responsible if their children are neglected or don't go to school. This is right and good.

As I understand it, the idea and hope behind the reforms is that people will end up taking responsibility, that they will recreate a purposeful life for themselves and their families, that they will regain the confidence and ability to redefine social norms for this time and place. This is all good, but its full realisation is unrealistic. Aboriginal people are messy, screwed up people, in exactly the same way as Anglo people are, or people of any other race. Those of us, Aboriginal and Anglo, who have been fortunate to grow up with a clear identity and a solid moral framework and with parents taking good care of us might be a bit more 'together'. But even when we're given the best of everything we're a sorry lot.

What Aboriginal people need more than a new structure (though that is sorely needed) and what Anglo people need more than a good society is forgiveness and new life. We all need forgiveness for our perverse and uncaring thoughts and deeds. We all need something other than ourselves, something greater and better than ourselves to help us be kind, to help us act with love.

And praise God! we have it in Jesus, in his dying on the cross for us, in the Middle East two thousand years ago. He died for the Jews of the Middle East, for the Aborigines of Australia, for the English who later settled/invaded this land, for all men of all nations, today. He is hope and joy and comfort and healing for everyone.