Aborigines

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders


Aboriginal people are one of the most severely disadvantaged groups in our society. The unemployment rate is three times higher than that of the average population. The infant mortality rate is also three times higher than the average. The average age of death of Aboriginal people is 56, while the average age of death of non-Aborigines in society is about 77 years of age. Aboriginal people are far more likely to be arrested and imprisoned. Aboriginal children are far more likely to be placed in foster care than non-Aboriginal children. These figures show that despite efforts to equalise the position of Aboriginal people in recent years, they are certainly disadvantaged in many areas, including health, housing, criminal justice and legal rights. The reason for these disadvantages includes discrimination, poverty, sickness, unemployment, poor education and a sense of hopelessness.

Native title was a right lost by Aboriginal and Torres Strait...