Serious side to quirky yarn

May 13, 2008, 8:33pm,  141 views

The BBC probably thought it was onto a quirky story when they reported “Aussie straps in beer, not child”.

I think I recall seeing this on the AAP wire. Instead of being newsworthy I dismissed it as another sad example of alcohol abuse causing child abuse in remote Aboriginal communities.

Police said a 30-can pack of beer was strapped down between two adults in the back, with a five-year-old child unrestrained on the floor.

There was a similar case reported in The West Australian recently where a child was forced from a flight to make space for alcohol.

These communities are dysfunctional. There is no leadership and abuse is widespread.

Perhaps the army should be sent in to sort things out. Now there’s an idea.