Aboriginal Human Rights Analysis

Analyse the impact on Aboriginal peoples human rights from government

strategies implemented in both the 20th century and today

Throughout Australia’s precious history, there has always been illogical discrimination against

Aboriginals which continue to affect them both physically and emotionally. The modern,

Australian Government, has attempted to address the perpetual inequality and curb the

continual discrimination against Indigenous people by implementing various programs and

policies. During the 20 th century, the Australian government formed policies and programs to

direct the lifestyle of Indigenous people as non-indigenous people discriminated them as

‘unintelligent beings and uncivilised’. But recently in the early 21 st century,

Human rights have improved ever since but there is continual racism and some human rights

issues that have yet to be solved. Hence, while there is an increasing dichotomy between

Indigenous human rights in the 20th and 21st centuries, some similarities still remain.

The 1900’s for Indigenous people was a loathsome moment in Australian history. During the

20 th century, the Federal government adopted the Protection, Assimilation, Integration and

These bus rides led to great awareness of racism in society and created campaigns

like ‘Vote Yes’ referendum for wage equality for pastoral workers and land rights. 3 Cases

involving Aboriginal’s land rights often leads to the Mabo case and the Native Title Act. The

Native Title Act’s purpose is to recognise the ‘existing land rights of all owners of freehold

property, and land rights also for many people who held pastoral or other leases.’ There have

been many arguments about the Native Title Act ever since, resulting Prime Minister John

Howard to put forward a ‘ten-point plan’ to resolve the disturbed minority. From this period of

change, it is perceived that progress of Indigenous people’s voices are being acknowledged by

society and the Australian government, thus showing a sign that the government could

implement more policies to stop discrimination against Aborigines.

In the 21 st century, the Australian government has recognised their long mistake and has

become more active to solve the disparity in living standards and cultures between Aboriginals

and non-Aboriginal people. Evidence of this includes the Sorry speech by Kevin Rudd, the

Closing the Gap report, Aboriginal’s cultural celebrations shared openly (NAIDOC