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APPENDIX XIV
A.L.P. POLICY STATEMENT 1973
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The 1973 Platform statement of the A.L.P. on its policies for
Aborigines read:
1. The Australian Government to assume responsibility for all
Aborigines and Islanders by establishing the principle of
elective consultative procedures.
T
2. The Australian Parliament to legislate against all forms of
discrimination as part of a program to provide equal rights and
opportunities for all persons.
ʒ. Aborigines to receive the standard rate of pay for the job and
to receive the same industrial protection as other Australians.
The Australian Government, within its own area of responsibility
to provide career opportunities to the maximum extent. Special
provision for employment to be provided in regions where
Aborigines reside.
4. Educational opportunities to be provided in no way inferior to
those of the general community, with special programs at all
levels where necessary to overcome cultural deprivation and
meet special needs. Pre-school education to be provided for
every Aboriginal child, including teaching in indigenous
languages where desirable. Adult education to be provided as
broadly as possible. A program of technical and managerial
training to be developed and the co-operation of the trade union
movement to be sought in recognising Aboriginal skills.*
5. All Aboriginal families to be properly housed within a period of
ten years. In compensation for the loss of traditional lands,
funds to be made available to assist Aborigines who wish to
purchase their own homes, taking into account personal wishes as
to design and location. Trained social workers under the
jurisdiction of local communities to be provided in areas where
such housing has been undertaken.
6. Aborigines to have the right to receive social services in the
same way as other Australians.
In the 1975 A.L.P. Platform the following was added:
The Australian Government to provide funds to expand the general
availability of courses of study at Teachers Colleges and/or
Colleges of Advanced Education in race relations and Aboriginal
society so as to enable the teaching thereof as a compulsory
subject in all schools, and Aboriginal studies generally; and
also to provide funds to expand specialist training for those who
wish to be involved in the teaching of Aborigines.