The name is absent

Their reaction reflected so many other stances towards Aborigines;
Aborigines are Aborigines, not really Australians.

Since Aborigines are not part of the new ’Australian’ identity,
the logical deduction is that they must first find a separate
Aboriginal identity.   That is, policies which act to exclude,

*

either by omission or commission, must be seen to erect a boundary
from without.

a climate of positive typification of Aborigines

by policy making bodies, even though Aborigines are not included

in their policy, the boundaries erected to exclude Aborigines
■■

act not to nihilate, but to promote cohesion among the people
*

thus excluded, or at least they may be profited from in this
way.

A further institution which has the potential to be a powerful

•reality definer’ for migrants and for Aborigines alike is found
in the Australian Institute of Multicultural Affairs, established
in 1980.

(iii) Australian Institute of Multi-cultural Affairs

The Institute addressed education as its first major issue.
It came to the conclusion that the maintenance of aspects of
ethnic culture was not incompatible with identification as an

Australian:

The commitment of Australia's ethnic groups to
maintaining aspects of their cultural heritage
is clear, and this is not only compatible with,
but supportive of identification with Australia...
To fully realise Australia's potential, meet the
responsibilities and reap the benefits inherent
in the composition of our population, it is necessary
that all Australians be afforded equality of opportunity
to participate in the life of the nation and maintain
their ethnic and cultural heritage within the law
and accepted political framework.

...Education in Australia should embrace the teaching
of English as a second language, the teaching of
community languages and studies of ethnic and cultural

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