Howard meets Aboriginal star

By Phil Mercer
BBC, Sydney

Mr Long walked 300km in nine days

Aboriginal sports star Michael Long has met Australia's Prime Minister John Howard to highlight discrimination against indigenous groups and poverty.

Mr Long staged a protest walk from Melbourne to the Australian capital demanding a chance to discuss Aboriginal disadvantages with the PM.

After an hour-long talk, the former Australian rules footballer said it had been "an open and honest meeting".

Mr Long said Aboriginal Australians felt neglected by the nation's leaders.

Mr Long said he had achieved his aim of putting indigenous disadvantage back on the political agenda.

He said he shared much common ground with John Howard when it came to understanding the challenges facing native Australians, including high levels of infant mortality, unemployment and imprisonment.

Mr Long urged the prime minister to visit Aboriginal communities to see for himself the sort of struggle daily life is for many people.

Mr Long's journey to Canberra began in Melbourne.

During his walk for reconciliation, he covered 300km in nine days before receiving the news that John Howard was willing to meet him.

Suffering heavily blistered feet, he completed his trip by car.

The champion athlete has insisted that the deep hurt indigenous people felt had contributed to the violent disturbances last week on Palm Island in Queensland and in the Redfern district of Sydney earlier this year.