Years after the referendum which gave the Commonwealth power to make laws covering the Aboriginal people of Australia, there is little evidence that any real progress towards bettering their position has been made. This book is gives a detailed account of the history of Aboriginal Affairs from the time of the referendum of 1967 to 2005.

On some occasions, these policies have been replaced within twelve months which indicates their lack of success. The demise of ATSIC was the death knell of the 'old' policy of self-determination. This book is a detailed and objective account of the history of Aboriginal Affairs from the time of the referendum of 1967 to 2005. This is a sequel to the author's "Aboriginal Affairs: A Brief History 1788-1994" published in 1995, and argues the case for a total overhaul of government policies and programmes.

Introduction: The Rocky Road to Reconciliation
The Origins of the Land Rights Movement
Gough Whitlam's Age of Enlightenment
Legislating for Land Rights
Queensland Stirs the Pot
Malcolm Fraser's Many Headaches
High Noon at Noonkanbah
A Proliferation of Policies: Bob Hawke
From Rage to Reconciliation
The Mabo High Court Case
The Native Title Act
Social Justice versus Fiscal Responsibility
The Swings and Roundabouts of Public Opinion
Racial Discrimination: from Separation to Sport
How Do You Say 'I'm Sorry'?
Exposing the Real Agony
ATSIC: the Beginning of the End
Aboriginal Health: So Much Effort, So Little Progress
'Shared Responsibility': a Policy of Pragmatism
The Way Ahead: from Dreaming to Visioning
Index.