Good Samaritans

In this past week, we have witnessed two very different types of response to crisis and emergency. On Monday, through the actions of Paul de Waard and Brendan Keilar, we saw a modern-day re-enactment of the Good Samaritan story. Seeing someone in danger, both men responded with bravery, compassion and selflessness. At the end of the week, we saw a completely different response to a very different sort of crisis. The Howard Government has at last decided to tackle the endemic problems of sexual abuse and alcoholism within indigenous communities.

But there is nothing ‘Good Samaritan’ in this response. No one can doubt the severity of the emergency. It is, quite simply, a national disgrace and the Government is right to act. Like Paul de Waard and Brendan Keilar, John Howard has rightly chosen to not ‘pass by on the other side of the road.’ But whereas de Waard and Keilar, and the original Good Samaritan in Jesus’ story, acted immediately, Howard has delayed his response. He has ignored report after report that have each stated how bad the situation in remote Aboriginal communities has become. And in the process of delaying, he has helped perpetuate the emergency which he now abhors.

As I have said, the Government needs to act. But a response of genuine compassion and bravery would have happened far earlier – not six months out from a federal election.