Dodson slams Abbott's trash talk

Tony Abbott's comments that Aborigines must have a job even if it's picking up
rubbish show he doesn't appreciate their skills, indigenous leader Patrick Dodson
says.
Mr Abbott told a conference of business leaders in Melbourne on Wednesday that
indigenous adults and children must be engaged in work and education, no matter what
form it takes.
"So many people are spending so much money and time and effort to make a difference
and the progress is so painfully slow," he said.
"We just have to get the kids to school. They just have to go.
"And similarly with the adults. There may not be a great job for them but whatever
there is, they just have to do it.
"And if it's picking up rubbish around the community, it just has to be done."
Mr Dodson, who is known as the father of Australian reconciliation, described the
comments as appalling.
"Mr Abbott obviously doesn't have a great opinion of Aboriginal people, if he thinks
that's all Aboriginal people are capable of," he told AAP.
"He obviously has no appreciation of the rich depth of Aboriginal skill, knowledge,
intellect and contribution.
"(The remarks) simply keep us locked into an image of being hopeless and incapable
and I don't believe that's true."
Mr Dodson said indigenous mothers and fathers were also working hard to get their
children to school.
He was concerned Mr Abbott, who could soon be Australia's next prime minister, held
such negative views.
"There are many other wonderful jobs and work that Aboriginal people do, and some
very serious responsibilities they carry in the community," he said.
"It's unfortunate (the comments) convey an image that were only capable of picking
up papers or rubbish around the block - that's a bit unbecoming of a national leader
aspiring to be prime minister."