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ATSIC; regional mythologies: national indigenous governance is being denied a fair go by both sides of politics. The new enthusiasm for ''regional solutions'' is faddish and unthinking.

Article Excerpt
The long legal wrangling over the future of the ATSIC Chair seems to be finally drawing to a close with the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs presenting Geoff Clarke with a 'show cause' letter. Ironically, the fate of the peak Indigenous organisation seemed to be sealed more quickly with Mark Latham announcing his intention to disband ATSIC if elected, and to create two new organisations, a directly-elected body to advise government and another to distribute funding. This second organisation would replace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services, the federal agency that currently performs that function since it was split from ATSIC last year.

The Federal Government's response to Latham's proposal was swift, announcing its intention to abolish ATSIC on the grounds that it was ineffective in dealing the issues faced by Indigenous Australians. If nothing else, Latham's announcement had the effect of getting the Government to reveal its ultimate plan for the areas currently under the ATSIC mandate.

The major party's chief complaint against ATSIC is that it has been ineffective in making a dent in the problems which beset Aboriginal communities. This overlooks the basic fact that ATSIC's role is that of a supplementary service provider in most areas, including family violence, and has no fiscal responsibility for...

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