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'Practical Reconciliation': 21st Century Rehabilitation of Indigenous Paternalism

Thompson, Lester J. and Wadley, David A. (2007) 'Practical Reconciliation': 21st Century Rehabilitation of Indigenous Paternalism. Australian Planner 44(2):pp. 34-41.

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Abstract

Australian policy is again co-opting an Indigenous client population into obligation which requires adoption of government values and objectives. While previous criticism has focused on the ethical and moral failings of such an approach, this study reflects on its logical and economic elements. Presentation of the ideological background leads into study of Indigenous social housing clients and their historical resistance to imposed objectives. The account next considers Indigenous settlement and occupational options and indicates the importance of economic priorities in any debate about policy objectives. Further commentary raises the shortcomings of current trends by defining minimum requirements for social policy and then comparing them with the government's claims about meeting the needs of its Indigenous clients. The conclusion questions certain of the policy directions and provides some alternative pathways to need satisfaction.

Item Type:Journal Article
Status:Published
Keywords:Indigenous; Aboriginal; policy; social; planning; reconciliation; paternalism; colonialism; practical reconciliation; Australia; Australian;
Subjects:370000 Studies in Human Society > 370200 Social Work > 370203 Social Policy
360000 Policy and Political Science > 360200 Policy and Administration > 360201 Public Policy
370000 Studies in Human Society > 370100 Sociology > 370102 Social Policy and Planning
370000 Studies in Human Society > 370400 Human Geography > 370499 Human Geography not elsewhere classified
ID Code:13567
Deposited By:Thompson, Lester J
Deposited On:16 May 2008
Alternative Locations:http://www.planning.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=130&Itemid=112
Copyright Owner:Copyright 2007 Planning Institute of Australia
Copyright Statement:Reproduced with the permission of the publisher.