Justice and the political future for Indigenous Australians

Over the last two decades, the rights-based claims of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been rejected by Australian governments and replaced with government narratives of Indigenous dysfunction and socioeconomic inequality. Political gains since the 1970s have been undone or weakened. Indigenous political voices and political agency have been undermined, leading to no clear roadmap for the future. The recent failure of the process to constitutionally recognise Indigenous peoples reflects resistance to recognising Indigenous rights in Australia. Political resurgence is needed to challenge and contest frameworks that resist or create barriers to Indigenous aspirations.