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Salient: Victoria University Students' Paper. Vol. 27, No. 13. 1964.

Differences

Differences

The states which make up the Commonwealth have implemented the Federal government's policy at different rates, so that some have a more "enlightened" attitude than others.

Early legislators established statutes which shielded Aborigines from most social responsibilities. These statutes, regarded as necessary to prevent aboriginal irresponsibility with alcohol and money on their first contact, must be removed as a first step in Aboriginal emancipation.

Another institution which is most important is the settlement system. The settlements run by church missions or the government are intended to be clearing houses for nomads, who after staving some while and being trained in some trade and taught social skills, can leave to take a responsible place in the community.

Too often these have turned into centres for repression of responsibility. They are also an ideal method for keeping Aborigines under the thumb of restrictive legislation.

Queensland is the least progressive state. The native is treated as an irresponsible child, neglecting all his potential for economic and social advancement.

A Queensland Aboriginal may not:—
  • Choose his employer;
  • Keep his own earnings—these are banked for him, and he has no free access to the account;
  • Move out of a prescribed area without permission;
  • Marry without permission;
  • Obtain liquor;
  • Vote in state elections (he may vote in Federal elections).

In addition, the state becomes the guardian of his children; mail into and out of settlements may be censored; he pays two types of tax—normal income tax as well as five to 10 per cent of his gross income, which is paid into a common welfare fund.

Entry to a native settlement is restricted. Even a member of the Federal Parliament must have official sanction for a visit. The maximum penalty for illegal entry is a fine of £50 or six months.

In court an aboriginal may only be represented by his "protector," usually the settlement superintendent or the local policeman, the very people he would be likely to wish to take action against.

In New South Wales restrictive legislation has been removed. Aborigines are paid award wages, their welfare board has native representatives on it, they vote in State and Federal elections, and where people are poor and have no wish to go to the cities they are encouraged to start their own co-operatives.

The Northern Territory has just had its legislation amended to grant Aborigines there similar freedoms.

Further positive policies adopted by the Federal Government in 1963 include extension of settlement schemes with good health schemes and welfare services to encourage nomadic natives to take advantage of them, vocational training and education to be made generally available to the highest level possible, improvement in housing schemes and welfare work to assist Aborigines settling into town, and further research into special welfare problems.

These are all Federal policies, and until assimilation becomes a matter under Federal control, the states may act on them or not as their consciences allow.