ABSTRACT
Although the relationship between far left politics and Aboriginal rights is complex, those who had sympathies for one were often found to have sympathies for the other. This chapter explores how supporters of the far left realised an opportunity to advocate for Aborigines in the establishment of the Council for Aboriginal Rights (CAR) in Melbourne in 1951. In so doing they moved concern for Aborigines outside of the party or union meeting and the work place to a broad-based nationally focused public organisation. They developed useful networks and built a knowledge base about Aboriginal issues that could then be used to change public opinion, influence government policy and ultimately support the growth of a national indigenous voice. When CAR began in 1951 what did far left involvement look like?
