POLIS Centre for Indigenous Policy Research (formerly ANU Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR))

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/1885/114085

The Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR) is a unique national and international centre, a leading research think-tank on Indigenous policy issues, and operates in a complex political arena. Since 1990 it has established an unrivalled reputation and track record in a difficult public policy area of national significance. A central goal at CAEPR is to continue to create and build long-term partnerships with Indigenous stakeholders with a view to supporting and working with key individuals and organisations in the areas of research, education and policy development. The Centre is funded from a variety of sources including the ANU, the Australian Research Council, industry and philanthropic partners, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and State and Territory governments. The principal objective of CAEPR is to undertake high-quality, independent research that will assist in furthering the social and economic development and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout Australia. It aims to combine academic and teaching excellence on Indigenous economic and social development and public policy with realism, objectivity and relevance. CAEPR is committed to disseminating its research as widely as possible through print and electronic publication and since 1991 has undertaken an active publications program.

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Open Access
Aboriginal Access to Firearms for Wildlife Harvesting
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 2003) Altman, Jon; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
Many Indigenous people in remote areas depend on access to firearms for the wildlife harvesting on which their livelihood depends. In recent years, however, access to firearms has decreased significantly. In this paper, Professor Jon Altman explores the present situation and advocates a policy...
Open Access
Aboriginal Employment Equity by the Year 2000
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 1991) Altman, Jon; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
Each year, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia conducts a number of workshops on issues which are considered to be of national concern. During the year 1989-90 for instance, workshops were held on 'Human and Social Responses to Global Change', 'Prospects for Australian Newspapers', 'The Theory and Practice of Juvenile Justice' and 'Sexuality in Australia'. Rather than being public forums, workshops are small gatherings (usually no more than 30 people) of those working at the cutting edge of research. The object is not so much to inform, as to exchange and speculate in order to advance innovative ideas among those taking part, and thus promote and generate the research process. The choice of participants is made as inter-disciplinary as possible, and the emphasis is firmly on active participation by all those attending, with maximum opportunity for debate. In turn, it is hoped that workshops will generate networks and interchange which will promote further research. The workshop 'Aboriginal Employment Equity by the Year 2000' was formulated in a slightly different fashion. The Academy is currently the Secretariat for the Association of Asian Social Science Research Councils (AASSREC), an organisation which has fifteen member countries in the Asian region. AASSREC is strongly supported, and partially funded by UNESCO, and members meet every two years to hold a Conference and Symposium. In 1991, the Biennial Symposium has as its theme 'Human Resource Development'. All member Councils were asked to conduct a national symposium on some aspect of this theme, and to report the findings to the AASSREC Symposium, to be held in Manila in August 1991. After some debate, it was decided that an appropriate focus for an Australian symposium would be the situation of Aboriginal Australians. Not only has the Academy a long history of research in this area, but it seemed realistic to accept regional concern and attempt to provide information about the problems involved, the policies adopted, and the prospects for change. It was also agreed that the appropriate person to present the findings of the workshop at the AASSREC Conference would be one of the Aboriginal participants. Advice and assistance in identifying a specific theme for the workshop was sought from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) and the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR) at the Australian National University. Dr Jon Altman, Director of CAEPR, agreed to act as Convener. Participants included those involved in formulation of policy initiatives at government level, those involved in research related to employment and human resource development, and those who experience the results of research and policies at the grass roots level. The Academy thanks all those who participated, especially those whose papers are included in this volume. Particular thanks are due to Dr Jon Altman, whose time and energy contributed so much to the success of the workshop, and who accepted the task of editing papers for publication
Open Access
Aboriginal socio-economic status: are there any evident changes?
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 1991) Tesfaghiorghis, H.; Altman, Jon; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
As the relative poverty of Aboriginal people in the Australian context is increasingly gaining recognition, equity issues between Aboriginals and other Australians have become matters of urgent concern for policy formation and implementation. This paper provides a statistical overview of the economic and social deprivation of the Aboriginal population as a whole by examining Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Census data from 1971 to 1986. The paper undertakes a comparative analysis between the Aboriginal and total population with respect to labour force characteristics, employment and unemployment, education, and individual incomes. The occupations and industry profiles of employed persons are also analysed. The analysis shows that levels of educational qualification, incomes and employment levels were substantially lower for Aboriginal Australians, while the reverse was true for unemployment and dependency ratios. Statistical data also reveal that Aboriginal employment status has declined between 1971 and 1986 relative to the total population, despite numerous Federal Government programs to improve their economic situation.
Open Access
Aborigines, tourism and sustainable development
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 1992) Altman, Jon; Finlayson, Julie; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
An issues paper on 'Aborigines and Tourism' was commissioned by the Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) Tourism Working Group on 3 June 1991. It followed a verbal presentation on Aboriginal issues to the ESD Tourism Working Group by the authors in May 1991. The paper is divided into three parts, as specified in consultancy terms of reference: A review of research on the impacts of tourism on Aboriginal communities. An outline of the characteristics of an ecologically sustainable tourism industry in the context of the industry's interface with Aboriginal communities. A discussion of policy alternatives to achieve an ecologically sustainable tourism industry for Aboriginal communities. The methodology for the issues paper required a search of the literature, with special reference to the consultants' own work on the impacts of tourism on Aboriginal communities in remote Australia (in Altman's case) and in rural and urban areas in south-east Australia (in Finlayson's case).
Open Access
Access to Aboriginal Land under the Northern Territory Land Rights Act
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 2007) Altman, Jon; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
A submission by Professor Jon Altman in response to the FaCSIA Discussion Paper ' Access to Aboriginal Land under the Northern Territory Land Rights Act - Time for Change? '
Open Access
Alleviating poverty in remote Indigenous Australia: The role of the hybrid economy
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 2007) Altman, Jon; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
While Australia is one of the world's richest countries, many of its Indigenous peoples live in poverty. This paper seeks to elucidate some avenues for addressing poverty in remote Indigenous Australia via appropriate pro-poor growth strategies. It engages robustly with the dominant Indigenous policy approach that promulgates a view that Indigenous economic development can only be achieved via mainstreaming, and presents an alternative livelihoods approach.
Open Access
Alternate Development for Indigenous Territories of Difference
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 2011) Altman, Jon; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
The Indigenous estate, the assemblage of Indigenous lands held under a diversity of land rights and native title regimes now covers an estimated 1.7 million sq kms or 22 per cent of continental Australia. For a variety of reasons, including a restricted common property regime that is the dominant form of land tenure and remoteness and the nature of Australia’s settler colonisation, much of the Indigenous estate is environmentally intact. Indigenous people, living on the lands that they now own, are well positioned to make valuable environmental contributions to critical national efforts in three areas: the conservation of biodiversity during a period of inevitable climate change and associated species loss; carbon abatement and sequestration to offset national greenhouse gas emissions; and management of fresh water quality and environmental flows. In this article, I want to argue that the Indigenous lands can be conceptualised as ‘territories of difference’, a term I borrow from political ecologist Arturo Escobar (2008), where different ways of thinking about land and resources might become increasingly dominant as an alternate form of development. Escobar (2008: 196) entreats us to break the hegemony of seeing Aboriginal territory, in his case in Pacific Columbia, as part of the conventional development model and to find political space within the hegemonic state to allow for the underwriting of a different form of development based on conservation.
Open Access
Amended Land Rights Law will be Bad Law
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 2006) Altman, Jon; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
'Amended Land Rights Law will be Bad Law', a submission to the Senate Community Affairs Committee Inquiry into Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Bill 2006.
Open Access
Appropriate income support for Aboriginal Australians: options for the 1990s
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 1991) Altman, Jon; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
This paper focuses specifically on income support options for Aboriginal Australians, and an attempt is made, for analytical purposes, to isolate income from employment issues. Particular attention is paid to the Aboriginal Employment Development Policy (AEDP) and its goal of achieving income equality between Aboriginal and other Australians by the year 2000, while simultaneously reducing the extent of Aboriginal welfare dependence to levels commensurate with those for the total population. The paper analyses the entire range of income support options available to Aboriginal Australians (including the Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) scheme); outlines the current income status of Aboriginal people; and lists a number of preconditions for appropriate income support. A range of issues and options for the 1990s are then canvassed, particularly in light of the introduction of the Active Employment Strategy from 1 July 1991 and the associated replacement of unemployment benefits with Job Search Allowance and Newstart. The paper concludes that income equality for Aboriginal Australians is unlikely by the year 2000; a move towards income equality and reduced welfare dependency will only occur if appropriate income support strategies are implemented.
Open Access
Attempting to Silence the Social Sciences
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 2007) Altman, Jon; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
n a recent book, Silencing Dissent: How the Australian government is controlling public opinion and stifling debate, edited by Clive Hamilton and Sarah Maddison (Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 2007) brief mention was made of CAEPR. In his chapter on universities, Professor Stuart Macintyre used CAEPR as one example of attempts by the government of the day to restrict academic freedom (pp 51-52). Macintyre referred to a paper presented by Jon Altman at the Academy of the Social Sciences Symposium 'Ideas and Influence: Social Science and Public Policy in Australia' in November 2005. That paper, 'Indigenous affairs today: The "Influence Wars" and the attempt to silence the social sciences', is posted here as a CAEPR Topical Issue to ensure full transparency.
Open Access
Banking and Financial Services in Rural, Regional and Remote Australia
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 2002) Altman, Jon; Taylor, John; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
A submission by Jon Altman and John Taylor to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services Inquiry into the Level of Banking and Financial Services in Rural, Regional and Remote Areas of Australia.
Open Access
Banking and Financial Services in Rural, Regional and Remote Australia
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 2002) Altman, Jon; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
Opening comments by CAEPR Director Jon Altman to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services Inquiry into the Level of Banking and Financial Services in Rural, Regional and Remote Areas of Australia, emphasising Indigenous perspectives.
Open Access
Beyond Emotional Rhetoric to Evidence-Based Policy Making
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 2006) Altman, Jon; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
'Beyond emotional rhetoric to evidence-based policy making' by Jon Altman.
Open Access
Beyond the Frontier: Sustainable Futures for North Australia
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 2003) Altman, Jon; Charles Darwin Symposium; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
A word we heard from time to time during the symposium, perhaps not often enough, is integration. How do we integrate perspectives on the theme—Beyond the Frontier: Sustainable Futures for North Australia? My approach will combine my intellectual safety zones of economics and anthropology, with my new aspirational disciplinary approach, ecology, and with the perspectives of Indigenous people, Indigenous knowledge, and reflecting the views of people with whom I have collaborated for many years. I will try to bring these diverse perspectives to bear on the term ‘sustainable’ with its economic, ecological and social elements. The focus is more on the Northern Territory than north Australia, and I take on board criticisms of this geographic bias noted by presenters like Rosemary Hill (who in turn sought to focus more on Cape York and the Kimberley). Unfortunately this bias is historic caused by some straight politically-inspired lines drawn on the Australian landscape early last century and so is hard to overcome or ignore.
Open Access
A Brief Commentary in Response to the Australian Government Discussion Paper 'Optimising Benefits from Native Title Agreements' and the Report of the Native Title Payments Working Group - Native Title Agreements and Payments
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 2009) Altman, Jon; Jordan, Kirrily; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
"A Brief Commentary in Response to the Australian Government Discussion Paper ‘Optimising Benefits from Native Title Agreements’ and the Report of the Native Title Payments Working Group". This submission examines two recent Native Title reports, and identifies a number of concerns: The need to reflect on history and available evidence; the need to address threshold issues including the distinction between traditional owners and communities, whether payments are compensatory or a form of mineral rent sharing, and whether payments are public or private; the need to examine the proper role of multinational corporations (MNCs) and the state in deciding on the use of payments made to Aboriginal interests in commercial negotiations; and the need to focus on existing examples of best practice where local empowerment and performance are linked.
Metadata only
Brokering Aboriginal art: A critical perspective on marketing, institutions, and the state
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 2005) Altman, Jon; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
In the 2005 Kenneth Myer lecture, Jon Altman discusses a paradox: the international success of the Indigenous art market contrasted with Indigenous Australians’ stagnating socio-economic circumstances. Examining state sponsorship of arts infrastructure from an historical and analytical perspective, he argues that, although the market appears successful, it remains fragile, and complacency in policy and practice would be detrimental to its sustainability. His lecture concludes with arts policy observations intended to ensure the development of the Aboriginal arts sector, particularly in the light of recent changes to Indigenous affairs organisations.
Open Access
Capacity Building in Indigenous Communities
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 2002) Altman, Jon; Sanders, Will; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
Two submissions on Capacity Building; one comprising comments by Professor Jon Altman to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Inquiry into Capacity Building in Indigenous Communities, and the second CAEPR's submission to the Inquiry, by Jon Altman and Will Sanders.
Open Access
Caring for country and sustainable Indigenous development: opportunities, constraints and innovation
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 2003) Altman, Jon; Whitehead, P. J; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
This paper explores how Indigenous community-based natural resource management can generate both conservation benefit and economic development opportunity. We begin by noting that much of the Indigenous estate in north Australia is either thinly populated or unpopulated. There is emerging evidence that, in situations where Indigenous people live on their country, ecological and wider benefits are generated via favourable fire regimes, control over weed infestations, and potentially through feral animal harvesting. When people are on country, they generate economic benefit for themselves by harvesting wildlife for consumption and engage with the market sector by using natural resources in commercial enterprise like arts and crafts production. We argue that there is a strong correlation between such activities and cost-effective natural resource management. Links between landcare, wildlife use and biodiversity conservation need to be recognized, celebrated and supported. The removal of many barriers to enhanced and innovative Indigenous participation in such activities, and equitable public support through programs like Landcare, will facilitate sustainable economic development options that are compatible with Indigenous priorities, while ameliorating Indigenous disadvantage.
Open Access
CDEP 2005 : New Home and New Objectives for a Very Old Program? - A New CDEP?
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 2005) Altman, Jon; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
'CDEP 2005—A New Home and New Objectives for a Very Old Program?' by Jon Altman. CAEPR Seminar Series. Notes from a joint seminar with Matthew Gray, presented on 2 March 2005. The Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) scheme has existed since 1977; it is arguably the oldest Indigenous-specific program still in existence, relatively unchanged. From 1 July 2004, with the division of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services (ATSIS) Indigenous-specific programs between Commonwealth mainline departments, it has been located in the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR). At face value, its new administrative home suggests that this at once innovative and highly flexible program might have a stronger, or even singular, labour market focus. In this seminar, we provide a perspective on CDEP based on analysis of National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS) 2002 data and explore the various impacts of the scheme on Indigenous participants, especially in rural and remote Australia. Using this evidence base we question if there is any need for fundamental change in this program, and if so, what?
Open Access
The CDEP in town and country Arnhem Land: Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation
(Canberra, ACT : Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian National University, 2000) Altman, Jon; Johnson, V; Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
This Discussion Paper presents the findings of research undertaken in 2000 on the Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) scheme administered by the Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation (BAC). BAC is located in the township of Maningrida in central Arnhem Land, and the CDEP scheme has participants residing both in Maningrida township and at outstations in the hinterland. A feature of the research is the comparative focus on 'town' and 'country'. The primary aim of the research is to assess the net benefits generated by the operation of the scheme in these two contexts. Benefits are defined not only in terms of employment generation, but also more broadly to include social, cultural and other economic benefits. The discussion is couched in terms of current social policy debates that highlight the apparent negative impacts of welfare dependence and especially 'passive' welfare. This case study focuses on a situation where what could be termed 'active' welfare-CDEP scheme participation-has been an important option, and concludes that there is evidence of significant net benefit from the scheme in a range of areas. On balance, the positives of the scheme outweigh the negatives in the Maningrida regional context, but this does not indicate room for complacency: the workings of the scheme can be improved and some recommendations for change are made.

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