This background note offers a brief guide to statistical descriptions of Indigenous Australians' socioeconomic situation. It looks first at the context of inputs and outcomes, then at works that offer overviews or summaries of Indigenous socioeconomic indicators, then at sources for most of the data that is used.

This background note presents graphs, tables and commentary on the subject of identifiable Commonwealth expenditure in the area of Indigenous Affairs - expenditure which we have termed 'Indigenous-specific' as, although it may come through any portfolio, it is always through programs or program components specifically addressing Indigenous issues or needs.

Introduction Although Australia's media ownership laws have remained unchanged for over a decade, debate on the desirability of reform has continued unabated. This debate has been fuelled by the advent of new media technologies, a number of inquiries proposing regulatory changes, and the self-interest of those media organisations that report the controversy. The Government has...