Macklin Visits Coloured Folk On Luxury Cruiser

Caring Jenny Macklin wants to get to know the people of Aurukun:

Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin has passed up the opportunity to learn first-hand about conditions in one of the nation's most troubled indigenous communities after dark, opting to spend her night in Aurukun on a luxury boat moored offshore rather than sleep in town.

Ms Macklin visited Aurukun yesterday and will start her day there today as part of her first trip to the Cape York community.

But instead of staying the night in the community's basic eight-room guesthouse, behind razor wire next to the council chambers, she chose the MV Pikkuw, a $680-a-night boutique fishing charter boat moored off the western Cape York coast.

There is every chance she will hand out beads, mirrors and blankets.