The implications for national security which flow from policy outcomes in the Indigenous domain in Australia, particularly in remote Australia, are more significant than generally recognised. Negative impacts for Australian national security derive from the longstanding economic and social disadvantage faced by Indigenous citizens and the apparent incapacity of governments to both address the disadvantage and effectively ensure order and good governance. The failed-state framework that Australian governments have applied to the Pacific is also relevant to the Indigenous domain.

This paper explores a number of related themes. First, what are the links between the policy outcomes in Indigenous Australia and national security, both positive and negative? Second, what are the parallels which exist between the stability and governance issues confronting a number of weak states to Australia’s north, and the social dysfunction and human security issues confronting Indigenous citizens in many remote communities within Australia? Third, is there in effect, a failed state within Australia? And fourth, what are the implications both for Indigenous affairs and national security policy makers.