"Paternalistic and cynical" is how Tom Slater, the National Director of the Australian Evangelical Alliance, has described the Federal Government intervention in the Northern Territory to tackle the child-sex abuse in Indigenous communities, as the media is reporting the bill is expected to pass later on Wednesday.
Talking to Christian Today Australia, Mr. Slater said, "It (is) a terrible mistake (to) ignore the views of Indigenous people and (not) consult (with) them."
He went further, with a tinge of anger in his voice, stating that the government had ignored all 97 recommendations made by the 'Little Children are Sacred' report. Sending both the police and the army to deal with the sex-abuse scandal was 'appalling' in his opinion.
"(The government) ….is not listening to the 'Little Children are Sacred' report where (out of) 97 recommendations, not even one of them is implemented … Instead they have sent in the police and the army, and I think that is appalling."
He said this issue odd to unite Christians as one, where 'getting relationship right' with the Indigenous people and addressing their condition was 'core Gospel business.'
"I think that is something which Christians ought to be united on because reconciliation, getting things right, getting relationship right and so on is core Gospel business and to me that mean addressing the issue of the condition of Indigenous people of this country. This is a real gospel issue that ought to unite Christians."
As the inquiry of the 500-pages bill granting the Federal government unprecedented power to tackle child-sex abuses within the Aboriginal communities in the N.T. was concluded in the Senate, minor parties have raised concerned about the speed at which the legislation is being processed in the Upper House.
Family First Senator, Steve Fielding told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that the legislation will 'radically' change policy direction in relation with Indigenous affairs and as such will have long-term consequences.
"This legislation is also a radical change in a policy direction that will have long-term implications," he said.
Labor Senator, Trish Crossin, also told the ABC that the Opposition was angered by some elements of the bill, in particular the lack of consultation with the Indigenous communities prior to introducing it.
"The apparent lack of consultation prior to the introduction of these bills is therefore a matter of serious concern," she said.