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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:	Indigenous Studies
Research Group:	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing
Research Field:	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health policy
Objective Division:	Culture and Society
Objective Group:	Other culture and society
Objective Field:	Other culture and society not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Moore, TC (Dr Terry Moore)
ID Code:	96291
Year Published:	2014
Deposited By:	School of Humanities
Deposited On:	2014-10-29
Last Modified:	2017-11-23
Downloads:	213 View Download Statistics