The social construction of Aboriginal fringe-dwellers

Abstract

Since the early days of the colonization of Australia, governments have established commissions and committes of inquiry to investigate and to provide them with advice about solutions to the Aboriginal 'problem'.' These inquiries, as Woenne notes, have also had an educative aspect, informing the general public of the 'true state of affairs' of the Aboriginal situation, (woenne 1979:324-56) The passing of the 1967 referendum and the establishment of Aboriginals as an issue of public interest has seen an increasing reliance by governments on the advisory and educative functions of such inquiries. Current policies of self-determination and self-management have contributed to this trend as governments have established inquiries to consult with Aborigines and provide them with advice that ostensibly reflects Aboriginal needs and desires. Despite this trend there are few studies of such inquiries. (Woenne 1979 and Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies 1984) This thesis is about one of these inquiries, that of the House of Representatives Standing Committed on Aboriginal Affairs into fringe-dwelling Aboriginal communities. Show more