Aboriginal Children Caught in Cultural Crossfire?

Tasmanian Aborigines protesting another issue. [Source: ABC Australia]

The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre has published a report requesting that child welfare decisions be transferred to the Aboriginal community. The report's author Heather Sculthorpe stated, "There is a disproportionate number of Aboriginal children who get taken away from their families, they are lost then to the community, to their culture.” The report argues that child protection should not intervene in family situations unless a child is physically endangered. Advocates of the plan maintain that keeping Aboriginal children in their communities is a priority.

Should child protection matters be placed under Aboriginal jurisdiction instead of the state's? State child welfare services insist that they are sensitive to Aboriginal culture and try to keep Aboriginal children in their own communities. However, can the Tasmanian state government really understand the cultural differences? How can they make these moral decisions, especially given the history of European settlement and treatment of Aborigines?

An example of such moral ambiguity is Sculthorpe's stance that Family Violence Act should be amended so that there will only be intervention in cases of physical abuse. Otherwise, it would be better if Aboriginal children stayed with their families. But is that true? Which is more important: Children staying in their communities or children being free of abuse, whether not if it is physical?

References:

1. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-16/aboriginal-community-seeks-welfare-decisions-affecting-children/6322270?section=tas
2. http://www.news.com.au/national/tasmania/call-to-keep-kids-out-of-state-care/story-fnn32rbc-1227265984263