The Wire

The situation in Alice Springs is being reported as being rapidly out of control with public drinking and shop break ins prompting local traders to run a TV campaign. Journalist Jeff McMullen says it needs to be recognised that its the intervention causing the chaos, that Aboriginal people are demoralised by the government taking over their lives. He is worried that the fear being generated by the current focus on Alice will lead to a second and worse intervention and says its time the government actually listened to what community leaders want.