John Howard has taken on a big issue in a big, bold way. The plight of Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory has been crying out for action and the PM has acted. Gradually, every state and territory has fallen into line and Kevin Rudd has joined with his support.

The sweeping plan was inspired by a shocking report on child sexual abuse in the Northern Territory in indigenous communities.

The PM's measures are drastic but necessary: bans on takeaway alcohol and x-rated pornography in indigenous communities, a federal takeover of townships on Aboriginal land, quarantining family welfare payments so at least half is spent on food and other essentials rather than booze, making welfare payments conditional on children attending school, compulsory medical checks for Aboriginal children and a significant boost in police numbers.

The "Little Children Are Sacred" report was made public in Darwin last week. The nine month inquiry went to 45 indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. It said that "rivers of grog" fueled widespread child sexual abuse.

The tragic thing is that little girls need their fathers, as Prison Fellowship President Mark Earley said recently in USA. "Many of their adult attitudes are formed by good father-daughter relationship." Abuse messes everything up for years.

Dr. Meg Meeker puts it in her new book, "STRONG FATHERS, STRONG DAUGHTERS" - "Most are good men . . . but you are good men who have been derided by a culture that does not care for you, that has ridiculed your authority, denied your importance, and tried to fill you with confusion about your role. But I can tell you that fathers change lives."

Meeker has seen a lot of girls stranded in the sexual wasteland, with sexually transmitted diseases, depression, eating disorders, and underage pregnancy. Dr Meeker found that the girls involved in damaging behaviors are the girls who don't feel loved and valued by their fathers.

Fathers can ensure that their daughters grow up with healthy ideas about sexuality. You don't have to be an expert on STDs, or anything else, to guide your daughter away from this wasteland. You just have to do your job as a dad. Talk to her, even when she doesn't seem to be listening. Teach her about the God who loves her and made her. Set boundaries for her. Spend time with her. Listen to her. Maybe it doesn't seem like a big deal to you, but you wouldn't believe the difference it makes to her. Your children may not tell you that now, but their lives will always be a reflection of your love and commitment. You can take that to the bank.

Rev The Hon. Gordon Moyes, A.C., M.L.C.