It's a tired, pathetic and unwise response. Shooting the messenger never did deny the truth of the message. Nor is the division of opinion in Australia as clear-cut as one might imagine. When the current Senate Committee inquiry into the mandatory sentencing of juvenile offenders was in Darwin recently gathering evidence, it received 17 separate submissions. Sixteen of the submissions were against mandatory sentencing.
Mandatory detention is separation under a new guise.
Its targeting of minor property offences discriminates conspicuously against poor Indigenous youth. As long as this country continues to lock up Aboriginal children for trivial offences, you can be sure we will have blood on our hands. I am angry and sad, for a 15 year old boy and for this nation. Last updated 9 March 2001. Your comments and feedback are welcome.