Since the Federation until very recently, government policy relating to Aboriginal people has been designed and implemented by non-Aboriginal people. The common justification for most policies for Aborigines was that they were "for their own good". There have been policies of protection, assimilation, self-determination and reconciliation. It is now clear that none of these policies have actually made the condition of Australia's Indigenous people any better than it was prior to the federation.

When the six Australian colonies became a Federation in 1901, white Australia believed that the Aborigines were a dying race and the Constitution made only two references to them. Section 127 excluded Aborigines from the census (although heads of cattle were counted) and Section 51 (Part 26) gave power ... Showed first 120 words of 1379 Size (words) ...

... Continuing with another 115 out of 1379 Size (words) ...DAA are determined by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and conform to the directions and requirements of the NSW Government. In partnership with the Cabinet Office, DAA provides an executive service to the Cabinet Committee on Aboriginal affairs, which sets the direction of Government programs.

On a national level, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) is Australia's national policy making and service delivery agency for Indigenous people. It is an independent Commonwealth authority established under the ATSIC Act. ATSIC has offices in all States and Territories and advises the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, while delivering programs to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

ATSIC is governed by elected Regional Councils ...Essay still continues 100 more words...