[Edition 29] CANBERRA, Tuesday: The Minister for Reconciliation Philip Ruddock has defended his comments to French newspaper Le Monde claiming that Aborigines were disadvantaged because they were late in coming into contact with developed civilisations.



“Aborigines have had just over 200 years of contact with real civilisation,” Ruddock claimed. “They are yet to fully know how to deal with aspects of civilised life such as the poisoning of their water supply, the stealing of their children or constant harassment by police.”

Ruddock – an example to Aborigines of what being civilised is all about

[Edition 29] CANBERRA, Tuesday: The Minister for Reconciliation Philip Ruddock has defended his comments to French newspaper Le Monde claiming that Aborigines were disadvantaged because they were late in coming into contact with developed civilisations.

“Aborigines have had just over 200 years of contact with real civilisation,” Ruddock claimed. “They are yet to fully know how to deal with aspects of civilised life such as the poisoning of their water supply, the stealing of their children or constant harassment by police.”

Mr Ruddock has confirmed that the Howard government would continue to expose Australia’s Aboriginal population to civilised concepts such as lack of remorse so that they would quickly overcome their position of disadvantage in society.

“It seems crazy but traditional Aboriginal culture did not even recognise the idea of genocide,” added Ruddock.

Mr Ruddock’s has also defended telling the French newspaper that Aborigines were not familiar with the wheel. He claims it was highly relevant to the Aborigines current position of disadvantage.

“If the had invented the wheel they may have been able to escape our initial onslaughts when white settlers arrived,” said Ruddock. “It’s really their own fault.”