Race Politics

State Government minister Frank Sartor goes on Koori radio and takes some liberties with Koori language. In calling for Aboriginal Housing Company boss Mick Mundine to get 'his black arse' down to see him, Sartor stupidly, yet without malice, invoked a local familiarity which upset all and sundry.

Of course what Sartor should have said to Mundine was, 'Get your slack arse down to see me because the Aboriginal Housing Company couldn't organise sex in a brothel. Your mob has been workshopping a Master Plan for The Block for over 5 years and what have you got to show for it - zilch. Either you do the job, or I will'. Needless to say the AHC would strongly reject such a charge.

Given this appears to have been the implicit threat underlying Sartor's indiscreet comment, it's no wonder Mundine and his mates have now taken offence and decided to play the 'ol race card. Anything to deflect attention from the real issue of redeveloping The disgraceful Block.   

Comments

[Huggies]

I heard about the other morning on the radio. Frank Sartor said he was sorry and Mick Mundine accepted the apology. Mundine should get over it...

[Greg]

Yes, of course, it's not Sartor, it's the aborigines.

People who have not experienced discrimination and racism seem often to be the first apologists for those inflicting it. What Sartor said wasn't indiscrete or "taking liberties with Koori language", it was a racist insult he should have been smart enough to avoid.

[Darlene]

I would have thought there are better things to worry about their "black arses" like fixing things up.

A friend of mine lived in Redfern and described it as a crime-ridden disaster. She couldn't wait to get the hell out. Meanwhile, people suffer while politicos waffle.

[Splat Guy]

I'm surprised no one has made a link between Sartor's comment and Brogden's "mail-order bride" remark. After all, aren't they both racial slurs? Surely it's time for Sartor to be subject to a campaign of humiliation and innuendo, that being the done thing.