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 < Back Clear Heads, Not Ratbag Rhetoric Needed in Response To Redfern Riot February 16th 2004 - NSW Democrat MLC, Dr Arthur Chesterfield-Evans, has supported the comments of his federal colleague, Senator Aden Ridgeway, stating that the situation in Redfern must be resolved through an open and wide ranging investigation into the circumstances of Thomas Hickey’s death. “It is not a question of taking sides and pinning blame for short-term political gain. We need to ask, “How did we get to this situation,” and we need to recognize that there is still a big problem in race relations and this ought to be a big priority for the Carr government. “It is clear that the major parties “Law and Order” auction makes for fine election rhetoric, but is poor policy. The tragedy that has occurred in Redfern over the weekend proves this strategy has failed,” he said. “Hot headed rhetoric from right-wing politicians and the far-left should not be heeded. Bulldozing houses will not solve the situation,” he said. “An inquiry similar to the 1987 Toomelah Inquiry, which investigated the social and material needs of residents of Toomelah after race riots occurred in the border town will help in pointing policy makers and community leaders into the right direction to ensure this will not happen again,” Dr Chesterfield-Evans concluded. |
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updated:
February 17, 2004
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