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It is often argued that while state rhetoric may be inclusionary, policies and practices may be exclusionary. This can im-ply that the power to include rests only with the state. In some ways, the implication is valid in respect of Aboriginal Australians. For instance, the Australian state has gained control of Aboriginal inclusion via a singular, bounded catego-ry and Aboriginal ideal type. However, the implication is also limited in their respect. Aborigines are abject but also agents in their relationship with the wider society. Their politics contributes to the construction of the very category and type that governs them, and presses individuals to resist state inclusionary efforts. Aboriginal political elites police the performance of an Aboriginality dominated by notions of difference and resistance. The combined processes of governance act to deny Aborigines the potential of being both Aboriginal and Australian, being different and belonging. They maintain Aborigines’ marginality.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Aboriginality; public policy; identity politics;
Research Division:	Studies in Human Society
Research Group:	Policy and Administration
Research Field:	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy
Objective Division:	Cultural Understanding
Objective Group:	Other Cultural Understanding
Objective Field:	Cultural Understanding not elsewhere classified
Author:	Moore, TC (Dr Terry Moore)
ID Code:	96291
Year Published:	2014
Deposited By:	Humanities
Deposited On:	2014-10-29
Last Modified:	2017-11-23
Downloads:	132 View Download Statistics