This paper is based on the minutes taken during extensive consultations with urban, regional and remote Indigenous communities across Australia during 2003-04 for Footprints in Time - the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children.

This report presents information on the extent of violence (in particular family violence) in the Indigenous population, using existing surveys and administrative data collections. The report also discusses gaps in existing information, the extent to which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are identified and strategies to improve the information on family violence.

Consumer agencies need to consider changes to the way they work with Indigenous people to ensure that services they provide are equitable and effective for Indigenous consumers. In addition consumer agencies need to consider changes to the rules that regulate traders and service providers to ensure that these are fair and responsive to the needs...

The government is giving with one hand and taking with the other, writes Ellie Rennie.

This report provides estimates of expenditure on welfare services and social security benefits in Australia for the period 1998-99 to 2003-04. This expenditure totalled $20 billion in 2003-04. Estimates are reported by source of funding, whether from governments, from individuals in the form of fees for services or from non-government community service organisations. 'Welfare expenditure...