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Dealing with unfinished Indigenous business: The need for historical reflection
Author(s) -
Alford Katrina,
Muir Jan
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
australian journal of public administration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1467-8500
pISSN - 0313-6647
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8500.2004.00406.x
Subject(s) - indigenous , clarity , politics , treaty , commission , political science , colonisation , political economy , public administration , law , sociology , geography , colonization , archaeology , ecology , biochemistry , chemistry , biology
The commitment by both major political parties to the abolition of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission symbolises profound problems that continue to bedevil movement towards meaningful reconciliation in Australia. Unlike Australia, long‐established treaties in Canada, the United States and New Zealand as well as greater theoretical clarity in identifying the process of colonization and its ill‐effects on Indigenous peoples have provided stronger foundations for policy and more positive outcomes. This article provides a theoretical framework for understanding the effects of colonisation in Australia, and policy prerequisites for redressing its damaging effects. These include a treaty, improved economic resources and stronger political, intellectual and property rights.