Abstract Although the environmental and economic impacts of drought have been widely studied, few large‐scale studies examined broader social drought. To fill this knowledge gap, Australian Institute Family Studies undertook Regional Rural Families Survey in 2007, when a significant part Australia was experiencing severe This paper analyses that survey to measure extent which affects range economic, health outcomes. Drought is found substantial negative impact on farmers others employed...

A 'wicked problem' is a term used in the planning literature to characterise complex multi-dimensional problem.The article argues that Indigenous child abuse one such problem.Whatever merits of recent federal intervention into Northern Territory communities, it unlikely succeed without both long-term bipartisan commitment substantial resources and meaningful process consultation with peoples.If we are learn from what policies worked (and did not work), then particularly important transparent...

Practical reconciliation’ and more recently ‘closing the gap’ have been put forward as frameworks on which to base evaluate policies address Indigenous disadvantage. This paper analyses national‐level census‐based data examine trends in wellbeing since 1971. There has steady improvement most socioeconomic outcomes last 35 years; a finding at odds with current discourse of failure. Evidence convergence between non‐Indigenous outcomes, however, is not consistent. For some relatively rapid...

Abstract Indigenous employment has attracted an increasing focus in recent decades from policy-makers, the context of gap between national rates and non-Indigenous employment. Non-Indigenous businesses are implementing a series workplace recruitment policies to enhance their employment, yet there is limited research demonstrating impact these policies. This paper uses primary survey data representative sample Australian-based non-Indigenous-owned detail how Indigenous-focused practices...

A significant cost for individuals who have contact with the criminal justice system is potential effect on employment status. In this study of arrest status indigenous Australians examined using data from 1994 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey. Having been arrested found to reduce probability employment. The size estimated be between 10 % 20 males, 7 17 females. also varies according reason a person's most recent arrest. Differences in rates non‐indigenous may explain...

N oel B utlin radically altered the debate about pre‐colonial A boriginal population when he provided a set of hypothetical demographic scenarios, which nonetheless were both grounded in economic theory or human ecological considerations and broadly consistent with what we know historical record. This research builds on utlin's legacy by exploring how his scenarios are medical understandings infectiousness mortality various diseases history settlement. Another contribution from this paper is...

The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody attributed Indigenous overrepresentation the criminal justice system to disadvantage. Others have it alcohol abuse and substance use and/or passive welfare dependence. To date, however, there has been little rigorous empirical research factors that distinguish Australians who come contact with from those do not. study reported here uses 2002 National Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS) explore correlates of arrest. analyses...

Current policy often focuses on ‘Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage’ by simultaneously addressing multiple deficits that many people experience relative to other Australians. International literature frames such issues in terms of the contested concepts social exclusion and inclusion. This paper attempts analyse what inclusion might look like a plural society as Australia. In addition contextualising Australian broader debates, this also briefly introduces several relevant theories justice,...

Abstract Indigenous employment has been the subject of numerous policies in Australia, with governments aiming to increase workforce participation rate amongst people recent years. Indigenous‐owned businesses, formally defined as businesses that are at least 50% Indigenous‐owned, have demonstrated previous research maintain substantially higher levels proportional than non‐Indigenous businesses. This suggests work environments more supportive and conducive employment, meriting influence...

Current debate in Indigenous affairs Australia often involves the assertion that last 30 years has been a period of policy failure. This article examines trends across number socioeconomic outcomes for Australians from 1967 referendum to present, using census data. Overall, there steady, although not spectacular improvement over time. These improvements are especially marked education, which was coming an exceptionally low base. finding is somewhat at odds with common perception 'failure' policy.