David Martin argues that a fundamental issue confronting Australian Indigenous groups and communities is how to develop the capacity to engage strategically with the general Australian society, in particular with its political and economic dimensions. 'Strategic engagement' refers to the processes through which Indigenous individuals, groups and communities interact with the formal and informal institutions...

The recent release of the final results for the 2001 Census presents an opportunity to assess the net change in employment outcomes for Indigenous Australians for the period covering the first two Howard administrations. Boyd Hunter, Yohannes Kinfu and John Taylor use demographic techniques to make valid comparisons over time, and hence facilitate estimates of...

John Taylor examines 1996 and 2001 Census data to establish recent changes in Indigenous and non-Indigenous employment and income status in the Northern Territory. Also explored are some of the constraints and opportunities facing Indigenous people in their effort to increase their share of Territory income and raise their levels of participation in the labour...

This paper presents a case study of the Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) scheme in the Coen region of Cape York Peninsula from January 1996 to May 1997, prior to implementation of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) and Spicer Reports on CDEP. It is suggested that, despite its successes, the administration of...

A survey has revealed that 52% of Australians believe the myth that Indigenous Australians are not disadvantaged. This report outlines the facts and provides the Government with concrete strategies to address the needs of Indigenous Australians - including employment, education and family support.