An Australian Anarchist Weblog

On Wednesday morning, Feb 13, at 8:55am, the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, finally said something that should have been said decades ago. Despite my deep cynicism towards politicians, I felt a tear leak out listening to the words. Not so much that they were at last being said, but more for the obvious emotions of the indigenous Australians gathered in Canberra and elsewhere to hear the words, to see them spoken.

Sorry. Feeling or expressing sorrow or pity; regretful; feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone.

And we, the non-indigenous Australians, the decedents of the first colonial settlers, have a lot to feel sorry for.

Some have said that we are not responsible for the actions or behaviour of those who came before us, and that we should not apologise. But if my grandfather or great grandfather walked into another person’s house, killed the occupants or chased them off with threats of violence, and then settled in the house, and I came to inherit this house, would it really be mine? Would the descendents of the original occupier have a legitimate case to take to the courts for restitution? Have I not gained something from my grandfather’s original theft. Just because the criminals are dead does not nullify the original crime. Nor should it nullify claims for compensation or restitution.

The nation state of Australia, and all its citizens, have gained immeasurable wealth from the storehouse maintained by the first Australians. In 1788, the colonial settlers and convicts sailed into a vast natural treasure house, preserved, tendered and maintained by the aboriginal custodians. We systematically, both individually and collectively, plundered this wealth. Few spoke out against the dispossession and violence, the rape and disease. Some did, but most kept quiet and shared in the spoils.

Now that the words have been spoken, now that the first steps have been taken, I will be waiting, with I am sure many other people in Australia, both indigenous and non-indigenous, for the next step. Which in my mind at least, should involve meaningful restitution, some meaningful compensation for past and present crimes.

Recently, there has been quite a media beat up over a teenager’s home-alone party for 500 in Narre Warren. Reputable print, such as ‘The Herald Sun’ (;) have been urging readers to write in and explain what they would like to do to ‘control’ Corey. Reputable TV media, such as ‘A Current Affair’, have interviewed Corey, demanding that he ‘take responsibility’. There have been arrests for destruction of property (smashing a police car windscreen, forkrissake!) and ‘child pornography’ (possibly one teenager catching another on their mobile phone?).

For those who may not know, Narre Warren is in one of the fastest growing urban development corridors in the southern hemisphere (an estimated eight houses are built every day in the area with young, middle-class families representing the majority of new residents). Rapid growth means megamalls (such as the incomparable Fountain Gate, thanks Kath and Kim!), housing, and very little else. As Corey is only 16, he can’t drive or go to the pub, effectively cutting out access to the most popular forms of entertainment in Narre Warren. If he decides to get into the CBD for a night out, he will either have to catch a train home before midnight (just like Cinderella) or he will have to wait it out in the city until 6am, when he would be able to get a train home (just like thousands of other Corey’s do). Of course, he could always fork out the $70′ish needed to catch a taxi home… And if he doesn’t have enough left in the morning for the train ticket, he can also look forward to ticket inspectors, who make a living targeting people just like Corey.

So what’s wrong with Corey? His biggest problem, and why he is getting bad press from the police, the government and the reactionary media, is that he is unrepentant, refusing to apologise for his behaviour. Aside from this, he loves wearing a pair of crappy, cheap sunglasses, has a pierced nipple and bad skin, and probably frightens adults by doing nothing other than being there and smiling.

Fortunately (or unfortunately) for Corey, he’s a hero for the young and restless. He has a video on You Tube, a flash game (Slap Some Sense Into Corey) on a domain named after him, http://www.slapcorey.com/, and, according to the media, bikini-clad teenies think he’s cute.

And what do teenagers do in Narre Warren? Go to house parties (that a party in a house, not a party with house music, just in case you, reader, were none too clear;). There is little else to do. As one mother commented to me recently, ‘We need something better than a skate park!’ Who other than the police or religious groups provide venues for those under 18?

The more I think about Corey, the more I am convinced that our society offers people very little, aside from the possibility of material comfort. Confined within the holy trinity of school, church, sport and shopping (who said a holy trinity would only be three?) there is little escape except absolute drunkenness or getting out of it on drugs or sex. Since Corey was born, he has been assailed with constant threats of terrorism and violence, there has been little but war and destruction (Iraq, global warming, destruction of nature, over-consumption, Bali, 9/11, the Tsunami etc etc).

Is it any wonder that a 16 year old, home alone in Narre Warren on a Saturday night, wants to party?