As a very, very short term plan, for a select number of communities in the NT, Howard's plan is a neccessity. The situation in some places is that dire.
Alcohol should be banned in all Aboriginal communities, alongside pornography and gambling. But this should be the responsibilty of the Elders - self-determination is crucial in the long run.
It is interesting to note that two of the most succesful communities in the NT have already banned alcohol, locked the petrol bowsers and work on a permit system - and this was the work of the Elders of both communities, an act of self-determination.
In case you were curious, the names of the two communities are Amata and Utopia.
Storming the communities with police officers and troops will obviously be demeaning for the communities, but so many of the communities are in such a dire state that there is little alternative, as much must be accepted. When the rights of the child are being abused in such a horrendous fashion, action must be taken.
Of course this is a fantastic opportunity for right-wing bigots to gt on their high horse - as this thread has already seen. Before we move on, this situation is the result of white actions alone; before the occupation of land, the removal of children and the deliberate destruction of culture, alongside the introduction of alcohol, drugs and pornography, none of these problems existed. Aboriginal leaders have seen this, and moved to ban alcohol, drugs and pornography, and the results have been fantastic.
The reason alcohol, drugs and pornography are such an issue in Aboriginal communities is genetic - Aboriginal people do not share the white association with such material, and cannot handle it in the same way.
The most important factor in the proposed action should be the long-term factors. Work with the local people, especially the established and emerging leaders, because their influence in the community is far greater than any white attempt. Keep the restrictions, but phase out the heavy military and police presence fairly quickly (keep some police presence of course, but not a dominating presence that will just cause tension).
And Justin, just give up. You're digging a hole, its embarassing. The left doesn't want you, and from what I can gather, neither does the right. Shhhh.
I'm sorry, but in this case, you're the dork.