A segment about Aboriginal adoption on Channel Seven’s breakfast show has drawn the ire of viewers, with some describing it as “appalling”, “nationally shameful” and “blatantly racist”.
Sunrise host Samantha Armytage was joined by controversial media commentator Prue MacSween and Brisbane radio host Ben Davis to talk about a push by the federal government to change adoption policies for indigenous kids.
Children’s minister David Gillespie is arguing that white families should be allowed to adopt abused Aboriginal children to save them from rape, assault and neglect.
MacSween said it would be “crazy to even contemplate people arguing against this”.
“We can’t have another generation of young Indigenous children being abused in this way, and this conspiracy of silence and fabricated PC outlook that it’s better to leave them in this dangerous environment,” she said.
“Don’t worry about the people who decry and handwring and say that this will be another Stolen Generation.
“Just like the first Stolen Generation, where a lot of children were taken because it was for their wellbeing, we need to do it again, perhaps.”
Davis praised Gillespie for standing up and saying what a lot of politicians are afraid to say out of fair of being labelled as racist.
“We need to be protecting kids, we need to be protecting Aboriginal kids and putting them back into that culture. What culture are they growing up seeing?” he said.
“Well, they’re getting abused, they’re getting hurt and they’re getting damaged.”
Armytage ended the discussion by saying, “let’s hope some sense prevails”.
Many viewers were quick to vent their disapproval of the Sunrise segment on social media, with some questioning why there wasn’t an Indigenous representative on the panel.
Ummmm…… what. Is. Happening. Here? Where are the indigenous voices for this topic? #mindblown
— mama bear (@Ngaireb) March 12, 2018
No? This is one of the justifications behind the stolen generation!!! This is blatantly racist, why even ask if he makes a good point. You should know better Sunrise.
— Alex Massey (@angry_pidgey) March 12, 2018
Why aren’t we hearing an Aboriginal view onSunrise?
— Max Chiller (@MaxChillerVibes) March 13, 2018
@sunriseon7 is someone going to be held responsible for the appalling comments made during this incredibly offensive and nationally shameful piece of breakfast television?
— Emma Pegrum (@emma_pegrum) March 13, 2018
Why wasn’t there an aboriginal representative not asked on this panel, after all, they are their culture and should’ve been able to discuss their children and families’ involved. Again they’re judged, not given their own voices put forward. Surely ‘integrity’ is truly lost.
— Jo-Anne Wiszniewski (@jnw62) March 13, 2018
Sunrise hits a new low. Didn’t think that was possible
— BDC (@Coleuser) March 13, 2018
I really do not understand why you have the opinions of 2 WHITE people and no aboriginal people insight. This is just ridiculous. Its not even just about it sounding slightly racist, its also about a loss of culture as well. pic.twitter.com/Ud4yJwu3Cj
— Along–came–Alana (@sezzapearce) March 13, 2018
Hi @sunriseon7, just wondering if you have a handy list of your advertisers? It’s be great to have an easy way to boycott the lot of you.
— Toby Nevill (@megatobio) March 13, 2018
Seven declined to comment when contacted by B&T.
