Blog comments

• Here is a thought! Why don't the Noongar people buy some land in a rural/semi rural area so they have plenty of room and live the way they want to live. They claim a huge part of the South West is their traditional land so why not pool their resources, get jobs and do it. The rest of the people living in the state have to pay rent or buy land to live on it, we can't do it for free, nor do we expect it to be given to us.

  Nicko Friday 24 February, 2012 - 8:03 AM

• Sarah Ross's comments above do have some valid and compassionate points and I do agree with her up to a point. Isn't Kevin Spratt the one that went on a rampage last year in the petrol station and was going to set fire to a police officer? But we are being unfair to him? It may seem like they are singled out, but look at all the crimes they commit against innocent people. I bet if a group of them came into your home and robbed and beat you up you wouldn't be happy. Most people are just sick of how they don't have to work and get all the hand outs from tax payers and are also allowed to break the law. It has nothing to do with what race they are. Also, most of these people that have these views also feel the same way against the people that make other protests and break the law like the anti-logging protestors and greenies. Good thing to stand up for but going about it the wrong way. Most have no jobs and get hand outs from the tax payers. No wonder the working class get so jacked off. Also Sorry has been said for the past even though none of us did these things, but they still arent happy. Maybe you can let them camp in your yard Sarah, you are probably living on their traditonal land.

  Missy Friday 24 February, 2012 - 7:10 AM

• RE: "Once some of these people have had the inconvenience of a night in jail and then going to court and a fine they might try a more civil and legal approach like their elders are."

  How so incredibly patronising. Judging from a comment like that I don't think you quite understand the level of persecution and oppression that is inflicted upon aboriginal people today. It is the very institution of law itself and its enforcers that are the perpetrators of this oppression. Aboriginal people are singled out by police time and time again and abused with the move on orders. Are not the cases of Kevin Spratt and Mr Ward testament enough to the racism that exists within the system? This interview was a perfect example of how aboriginal people are patronised, ignored and ridiculed.

  These people have endured racism beyond human belief and you have the gall to comment on something you have obviously never experienced or witnessed.

  And to simply claim "you need to forget about the past" is to ignore a bloodied history that still is not recognised nor taken seriously and an insult upon all those who have been murdered by the bloodied glove of colonisation.

  Satler, your patronisation of Marianne made me feel physically ill as did the comments that followed.

  Sarah Ross Thursday 23 February, 2012 - 8:09 PM

• It is very hard not to have racists thoughts and views when there are one set of rules for Aboriginal people and one set for the rest of us. I do sympathise with the Noongars cause, but they continue to break the law and get away with it. I bet if I threw something at the Prime Minister or stood outside a restaurant swearing and pounding on the windows I would be dragged away or arrested. I bet if I went ot Heirisson and lit a fire when there is a total fire ban I would be arrested. Same if I set up a tent or drove my car in there. I bet if I took my kids out of school to do all these things I would be in trouble as well. The politicians and council need to "grow a pair" and just remove these people and make some arrests of the ones that won't go. Go on make a stand and uphold the law. Once some of these people have had the inconvenience of a night in jail and then going to court and a fine they might try a more civil and legal approach like their elders are.

  Missy Wednesday 22 February, 2012 - 1:46 PM

• Ok so we have established they want their land back, but what do they actually want to do on that land? Are they going to live on it full time? Is it just for corroborees? Are all non-nyoongars allowed to step foot on this land? Hope the government has a good long think about it first before they hand over anymore freebies to these people!

  Claire Wednesday 22 February, 2012 - 1:09 PM

• Howard, you have made several incorrect statements. Protestors did not "block the streets" yest. I was there. Many local white citizens let their dogs "defecate' on the island yesterday. Please come down, sit down and talk to these people on the island and find out for yourself whats really happening.

  Susie Madsen Wednesday 22 February, 2012 - 12:23 PM