Economy
Stage 4: The Final Step in the Colonisation and Possession of Australia
From the late eighteenth century till 2015: the initial invasion of the great, southern continent will now enter its fourth and final stage of complete displacement of the Original Inhabitants by the English and now Australian Governments.
Perhaps Tony Abbott is the last officer to take part in this process commenced by Captain Cook and Captain Arthur Phillip, as directed by their government. Perhaps Tony Abbott has not studied his Australian and other colonial history. Perhaps there ought to be a test for those who come here and wish to be in governance, rather than making pledges to a unilateral deity and monarch. Would a Republic change our regressive ways?
Stage One was the colonial invasion of that time, manifested in the usual rapine and land grab, with not a thought for the existing inhabitants, [let alone a curiosity or interest] whose physical and spiritual survival were and are inextricably linked to their Country. Even after the Mabo decision, the English notion that Terra Nullius sanctioned their invasion and subsequent settlement seems to have raised its ugly, ignorant and arrogant head again.
Stage Two of the ensuing displacement and dispossession was the stealing of men, women and children with the underlying objective of assimilation which became tantamount to a formula for the destruction of the Indigenous Australian’s race, culture and society.
Stage Three of the Anglicisation was the “intervention” set up by none other than the John Howard government, implemented by the chosen one, the honourable Mal Brough, ex- military and quasi-religious man; similar qualifications for those chosen to undertake the Plantation of Ulster in seventeenth century Ireland, when the “mere Irish” were almost totally dispossessed from their land, not to mention the rapid depletion of forests and fisheries that followed. For a smooth “operation”, the government carefully worded the policy statements in order to attract our empathy, following a reactionary move, conveniently inspired by a somewhat bigoted ABC documentary. Bigoted because it accentuated dysfunction and crime in a select group, therefore, inferring that these crimes and other issues only occur in the indigenous community when the problem is spread across all Australian communities, is in all levels of society, just as sexual abuse of children is found throughout our society, no matter how wealthy or of which creed. Was the hidden agenda in the intervention, the repossessing and taking of more land, in order to access the wealth of minerals lurking beneath?
Stage Four appears to be this week’s blab from our menacing PM. The last land possessed by these people, is next on the chess board of carving up territory, and due to complete insensitivity, historical amnesia and a total lack of empathy or understanding, this territory is now in danger of being lost forever. Which over-fed mineral magnate will be there panting for the spoils?
Checkmate! The war is over and in spite of several attempts to redress the appalling situation in which the original owners of this land find themselves, it has come to this; the next chapter in the idiotic state of Abbott. I seem to remember former prime ministers, Whitlam, Frazer, Hawke, Keating and Rudd, amongst other groups and individuals, not to mention the owners themselves, making significant and well-planned moves toward reparation and reconciliation. Just as in the deplorable situation with the state of the environment and social amelioration: one step forward, three steps backward. Backward being the operative word.
No one believes that throwing money at institutions or people is the answer to improvement, but to take people away from their life’s blood is what caused the issues in the first place. Are there jobs for people elsewhere? In Tasmania the colonial government was determined to keep the land, upon which to graze their hoofed beasts, thus, systematic and near-extermination followed as the original owners lost the battle to maintain the land that nurtured their food supply. In these cases of colonial theft, Spanish, French, Dutch and others have all committed the same crimes, and the established churches within these imperialist nations go hand in hand with the invasions, be it more insidious. I believe it is called “civilising” the “natives”. Will it ever end? Not so, not whilst human greed persists in its domination and oppression through the all-pervasive system of Capitalism, wherein roguish opportunists are always at the head of the line. Further into the heart of darkness we continue to sink.