Social engineers and bystanders: the limits of 'responsibility' in Indigenous affairs

Australasian Psychiatry : Bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
Ernest Hunter

Abstract

A significant shift is occurring in Australian Indigenous affairs. Contentiously, key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders have challenged governments and organizations, both mainstream and Indigenous, to confront 'passive welfare dependence'. This paper explores some of the social justice implications and considers the roles of non-Indigenous professionals. A publication by Pat Dodson and Noel Pearson is used to frame the discussion. Ambiguity surrounding a number of key concepts and the shifting territory of Indigenous rights has contributed to bureaucratic inertia in Indigenous affairs. A range of 'new' concepts is being introduced into the current debate, such as expectancy, reciprocity and mutual obligation, challenging ideas of responsibility, agency and the roles played by non-Indigenous bureaucrats and practitioners. Regardless of good intentions or social justice motivations, non-Indigenous interventions must be informed by an awareness of the potential to undermine Indigenous agency and, consequently, cause harm.

References

Oct 1, 1991·Bone and Mineral·S C GarnerI Parikh
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Aug 23, 2003·BMJ : British Medical Journal·Ian Ring, Ngiare Brown
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Sep 17, 2004·The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry·Malcolm Parker
Jan 21, 2006·The Journal of Sexual Medicine·Tom F LueGorm Wagner

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Citations

Apr 11, 2012·Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health·Naomi PriestLinda Hayes
Dec 6, 2007·Australasian Psychiatry : Bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists·Daniel Tarantola
Jul 15, 2009·Australasian Psychiatry : Bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists·Juanita Sherwood
Dec 6, 2007·Australasian Psychiatry : Bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists·Michael DeGagné

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