This quote isn’t irrelevant to the contemporary political landscape.
Medicine followed trade and the flag. A direct response to colonialism, it did not merely expedite such expansion but provided a justification for it: was it not part of white man’s mission to bring medicine to the deadly tropics? All too often it was conveniently overlooked that the white man was in large measure responsible for making them so unhealthy in the first place.(Porter, 2002: 90)
If Howard is sincere about resolving the problems in remote Aboriginal communities then shouldn’t there be an acknowledgment of white man’s role in creating such situations in the first place?
A Disorder of Things 
Howdy Chris.I haven’t met you in person, but I will be in Syndey from 26th to 28th July. Wondered if you would like to grab a coffee and talk about the West (i.e. Western Australia), Gadamer, and other stuff?My email is cdwalkerattpgdotcomdotau. Email me if you’re interested.
<>an acknowledgment of white man’s role<>Ahh, you see, Howard doesn’t believe in that kind of history. Isn’t it funny how these things – history, the environment, WMD, terrorism, have become a matter of belief?