The Draft Indigenous Economic Development Strategy: A Critical Response
The Draft Indigenous Economic Development Strategy: A Critical Response Report
CAEPR Topical Issue
- Author(s): Altman, Jon
- Tertiary Author(s): ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
- Published: 2011
- Publisher: Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences, Australian National University
Abstract: This Topical Issue is adapted from a submission in response to the Australian government’s Indigenous Economic Development Strategy Draft for Consultation1 (henceforth the Draft Strategy). The need for a policy framework to enable Indigenous economic development is of critical importance in addressing the marginalized situation of many Indigenous people in Australian society. And so it is very appropriate that the incoming Rudd government committed to the formation of a new Indigenous Economic Development Strategy. This is an area of Indigenous affairs policy that has been especially challenging in the past. While I make clear at the outset that I am not a supporter of the currently dominant ‘narrative of failure’, there have been areas of exceptional economic development performance in the past and such success needs to be recognised, supported and replicated—which is not to deny there has also been failure. Nevertheless, there is currently a national mood to improve the marginal economic situation of many Indigenous Australians captured by the evocative idea ‘Closing the Gap’ and so it is timely that the issue of Indigenous economic development is rigorously addressed.