Representation of Indigenous People in Australia

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Introduction
This essay has been penned down to clarify the position and representation of
indigenous people in Australia. Indigenous affairs have always been the first concern of the
Australian government. Whether they are being represented at a national platform or being
neglected by the government? This will help in understanding the condition of indigenous
people, if they are being supported and facilitated by the government and if they would have
been given basic rights or not? Has the government made any policy in their favour?
Moreover, are treated like other citizens in policies, or there is no policy for them?
(Delfabbro et al. 2010)
Indigenous people of Australia are known as the oldest societies of the world. Their
culture is very attractive and fascinating although difficult to understand. Few of them know
the importance of preserving their culture and few integrate them into white Australian
society because they have to deal with the current situation and their status. They recently
represent 3% of the population. Australian indigenous people are the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander of Australia (Humphreys 2010). These are the groups of people who lived in
Australia and nearby islands before the British establishment. This is considered as a debate
topic among researchers about the first arrival of indigenous people in Australia. Since the
European invasions till to date, government policies, in favor of indigenous people has been
set and exercised by non-indigenous people (Clements et al. 2010).
For the well-being and increasing development of a country, it is important for a state
to give basic human rights to minorities as well. In early, their population was not that much,
and they were considered as minorities and were not given the basic citizen's rights (Ramsay
2016a). But now as their population is increasing rapidly, they are not only given the basic
citizen's rights but also there are policies designed in their favour. In the past few years,

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significant steps have been taken at the international level to increase awareness and to
protect the rights of indigenous people.
Policy for indigenous people
In 1962, the Australian government gave indigenous people the optional right to vote,
but they were still categorised as "ward of states" considered as they did not have a right of
vote in state elections (Waterhouse & McGhee 2015). In 1943, the board administered
government policies, dictating where indigenous people could work, live, their freedom
movement, their personal finances and their child-rearing practices. In addition to this, a
referendum was made in 1967 that sought to give the Commonwealth parliament power to
make laws which respect to indigenous people wherever they live in Australia. It also sought
to make it possible to include indigenous people in national censuses.
On a serious note, the basic human rights of indigenous people are still not given to
them. It is like far worse than non-indigenous people. Their life expectancy is still low
because the infant mortality rate is higher than non-indigenous people. The housing
conditions of non-indigenous people are worst because of lack of supplying of basic needs
like water, health and education. The education levels for indigenous people are below
average level (Skattebol 2017). Very few can have access to higher school and university.
Indigenous people have a long and scary experience of living life on their own. However, it
was stated in the policy that they can have their own lands, but despite of that, they were
forcibly taken from their land.
They have gone through soo much in their lives just for they can have access to the
basic necessity of life. But the picture of this history is still seen today where indigenous
people are still forced in alcoholism and drug dependence so that they can achieve higher
standards of living. That's the reason their life expectancy is low (Gill & Oakley 2018).
Australia is count in one of those countries where the highest standards of living are
being practised. But unfortunately, indigenous people are still lacking these standards.

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Generally, it can be stated that indigenous people are still living in rural and remote
areas as compared to other Australians. About 70% population of indigenous people
comprises in towns with less than 100 000 inhabitants compared to 40% of the total
population of Australia. There are multi-family households, and on an average, the only
person is earning. Still, their hospitality is on point. Their house is every time open for family
and friends (Meyer & Eggins 2018a).
Unemployment is the major issue indigenous people are facing these days. The reason
for this is they are not given the right education to take high standards jobs. Very few of them
reaches a higher level of school and university graduate level. Many of them are working in
public forums or some organisations working for indigenous people (Connolly 2017). In
many professions indigenous people are underrepresented. Mostly they live their lives on
unemployment benefits and welfare.
Today the main root of problems faced by indigenous people is poor education. The
less education rate of indigenous people leads them to fewer opportunities and thus results in
unemployment and poverty. No doubt programs are being made to educate them, and
government programs are being run to provide financial aid. White Australians fails to
indigenous people due to sarcasm and racism (Hollinsworth 2016).
The health issue of indigenous people is in the worst condition. The bad health
condition may have several reasons. Poverty, low standards of hygiene and not suitable
nutritious food is the main reason for bad health. Some of them suffer from depression and
anxiety, and the problem here goes round about and come to the point of education. They are
not educated and thus engage themselves in alcoholism and drug addictive (Godinet et al.
2011).
1970 is marked as a turning point in the history of non-indigenous people. The
essential development was the non-indigenous Land Right Act, implemented by the liberal