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Call to open up Aboriginal areas Call to open up Aboriginal areas
(about 3 hours later)
The Australian government has called for an end to the tightly-controlled permit system under which Aborigines can stop people entering outback lands.The Australian government has called for an end to the tightly-controlled permit system under which Aborigines can stop people entering outback lands.
Under present law, visitors need a permit to access traditional lands.Under present law, visitors need a permit to access traditional lands.
The government says the 30-year-old system has closed off communities and restricted the ability of individuals to interact with the wider community.The government says the 30-year-old system has closed off communities and restricted the ability of individuals to interact with the wider community.
Australia's 460,000 Aborigines own or control about 20% of the country's total land area.Australia's 460,000 Aborigines own or control about 20% of the country's total land area.
It is illegal in Australia to enter Aboriginal land without a formal permit, a law which came into effect 30 years ago to protect indigenous communities from the worst aspects of modern life - crime and exploitation.It is illegal in Australia to enter Aboriginal land without a formal permit, a law which came into effect 30 years ago to protect indigenous communities from the worst aspects of modern life - crime and exploitation.
But the Australian government believes the system is anachronistic and ineffective.But the Australian government believes the system is anachronistic and ineffective.
'Aboriginal Disneylands''Aboriginal Disneylands'
The government feels it has helped create what it called a "monopoly of silence" about the problems facing Aborigines.The government feels it has helped create what it called a "monopoly of silence" about the problems facing Aborigines.
Their remote communities experienced high rates of alcohol abuse and domestic violence, a problem the government believes has been exacerbated by geographic and social isolation.Their remote communities experienced high rates of alcohol abuse and domestic violence, a problem the government believes has been exacerbated by geographic and social isolation.
It also argues that the permit system has acted as a break on economic growth. It also argues that the permit system has acted as a brake on economic growth.
Lawyers representing Aboriginal communities have said that abolishing the permit system would turn Australia's last outposts of indigenous culture into what they called "Aboriginal Disneylands".Lawyers representing Aboriginal communities have said that abolishing the permit system would turn Australia's last outposts of indigenous culture into what they called "Aboriginal Disneylands".
They also claim that reforms would strip aborigines of their right to privacy.They also claim that reforms would strip aborigines of their right to privacy.
This is not the first time that aboriginal leaders have clashed with the Howard government, which has repeatedly refused to promote symbolic acts of racial reconciliation, such as apologising for past injustices.This is not the first time that aboriginal leaders have clashed with the Howard government, which has repeatedly refused to promote symbolic acts of racial reconciliation, such as apologising for past injustices.