The SquizLog

The Challenge to Close the Gap

Yesterday Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd pledged to report annually on the government's progress towards closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Each year he will deliver his statement on the first day that federal parliament sits.

Already this year, following the historic apology to the stolen generations, there has been some progress. Just one week after a report that Indigenous health research was being ignored came funding announcements to tackle high rates of smoking in Indigenous communities as well as training initiatives to get more Indigenous people into the health workforce.

On the same day came a statement of intent to "achieve equality in health status and life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians by the year 2030". Obviously, the realisation of this noble objective will require much cooperation. As Mick Gooda, chief executive of the Co-operative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health, says, "the strategy must involve all areas of government to be successful". He also asserted that community control is crucial.

As I write this I am mindful of Crescent Head, near Kempsey on the NSW mid-north coast. We have been enjoying our holidays there for over a decade. Each year it saddens me to see and hear about the divide between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in Kempsey. I'm sure I'm only superficially aware of the background and the present day situation but it's obvious to me as an occasional visitor that there are huge challenges for Kempsey. Recently a committee of the NSW Upper House met in Kempsey to hear evidence about Indigenous people enduring substandard living conditions. And there has been a call for Kempsey's Indigenous people to "play a lead role in upgrading the Kempsey District Hospital".

It is heartening to hear about good intentions, helpful initiatives and community consultation. And good to hear that the PM will formally report on progress each year.

But, for me, the test will be evident on my annual holidays to Crescent Head and Kempsey. Hopefully that litmus test will show that the gap is truly closing.

Working at Home

Yes, for those of you who care, this is where I have been spending most of my working hours so far this year. Note the obligatory framed pictures of Sir Donald Bradman and The Old Course, St Andrews.

The change to working from home has been very positive so far. I'm feeling much healthier and glad that I have more time to spend with my family. As far as work is concerned I'm usually quite productive although there are times when I get distracted. But it's amazing how being your own boss focusses your mind. Nobody to blame but yours truly and you are directly answerable to your clients.

Working remotely from people with whom you are collaborating obviously presents communication challenges. Overall, I've found the combination of email, instant messaging, IRC and project management webapps like Unfuddle and Basecamp has been very effective. And of course there's Skype, the phone and occasional face to face meetings when necessary. If the trust and discipline is there, the technologies now at our disposal certainly allow effective remote work.

Speaking of work, it's time I got back to it!

Interesting Times for Cricket

"May you live in interesting times", says the ancient Chinese proverb.

Well, these are certainly interesting times for international cricket. The Indian Premier League, due to start on 18 April, has thrown the cat among the pigeons as far as the upcoming Test series between the West Indies and Australia is concerned.

Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, three of the West Indies' best and most experienced players, have been signed by the IPL. Consequently, they may miss the first two Tests against Australia. As former Australian opening batsmen and current West Indies coach John Dyson says, it is up to the IPL to honour the generally accepted agreement that international cricket takes priority and ensure that the three players are released for the Test Series. The ICC may have formalised guidelines for the IPL, including the principle "that every ICC member had the right to object to a player from its country taking part in the IPL". However, in reality, this is useless in the relatively poor countries that comprise the West Indies team. The amount Chris Gayle can earn from representing the West Indies is a pittance compared to the $800,000 he has been signed up for by the IPL. Who is going to stand is his way?

Then there is the power game within the ICC, which is effectively controlled by India. If push comes to shove, is the ICC going to stand up to the IPL and ensure that international cricket takes priority?

Interesting times indeed. Oh, and by the way, I think New South Wales has just about got it's hands on the Pura Cup trophy. With a day's play remaining, Victoria only needs another 533 runs for victory with 8 wickets in hand.

A Momentous Day for Australia

What had begun as a few drops turned into an unrestrained downpour of rain. The symbolism was unmistakable.

Together with others in the Gosford community I was listening to the Australian Prime Minister's historic apology to the indigenous people of this land for the injustices of past governments. It was as if the rain was an emotional message from the country that the healing of our nation could begin.

Just as tears were flowing from the sky, tears on faces nearby showed the emotion of the moment. And just as the conclusion of Kevin Rudd's speech evoked a spontaneous standing ovation in Canberra, the applause from those gathered in the gardens at East Gosford was heart-felt. Together we had witnessed a defining moment in Australia's history.

I was glad to be there to share the experience, hear some moving responses from indigenous leaders in the local community as well as see some marvellous performances from the NAISDA dance group.

At the end of the ceremony we listened to a recording of Archie Roach singing Took the Children Away. I had heard this plaintive, haunting song many years before and couldn't help but be moved. In today's context it resonated more hope.

I hope that today's ceremony, as important as it has been as part of healing the relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous people in this land, leads to real improvements in the lives of indigenous Australians.

Well Played India

It was always going to be, as some cricket commentators are given to saying, "a tough ask." Set a target of 413 to win, Australia were 2/65 at the end of the third day with Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey at the crease.

My assessment was that Ponting and Hussey had to both score hundreds to give the Aussies any chance of achieving a record 17th successive Test victory. Ponting was certainly due. Hussey was capable but had only scored one century in his five previous innings in the series, below par for him.

As it turned out, Ponting and Hussey both fell in the 40s and, despite a valiant 81 from Michael Clarke and an entertaining 73 run 9th wicket partnership between Mitchell Johnson (50 not out) and Stuart Clark, Australia fell 72 runs short.

After India had the rough end of too many poor umpiring decisions in Sydney, I have to say I was pleased for them. I admire their resilience. Well played India!