The name is absent

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APPENDIX XV

THE LIBERAL AND NATIONAL COUNTRY PARTIES’
ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS POLICY, 197Γ

PREAMBLE

The Liberal and National Country Parties are committed to the
principle that all Aborigines and Islanders should be as free as
other Australians to determine their own varied futures. It is
essential to appreciate the great diversity of people who may
identify themselves as Aborigine by virtue of the Aboriginal descent
they have.

For instance, the life style of Aborigines will, of necessity,
vary between those living a more tribalised state in or near their
traditional lands and those living in or near towns and cities.
Policies must therefore reflect this fact.

Mindful of these matters:

We recognise the fundamental right of Aborigines to
retain their racial identity and traditional life
style or where desired to adopt partially or wholly
a European life style;

We will within the limits of available finances fund
programmes which develop Aboriginal self-sufficiency
and which represent initiatives that Aborigines them-
selves believe will enhance their dignity, self-respect
and self-reliance;

- We will promote cross-cultural understanding and co-
operation by a continuing process of community
education for all age groups to ensure a higher level
of mutual tolerance, trust and enterprise than has so
far marked our history.

V

A special obligation is also imposed upon us all to provide
opportunities for Aborigines to preserve their traditions, languages
and customs from further encroachment and destruction where possible.

Aboriginal values are an intrinsic part of Australia’s culture
and heritage.   We are part of each other. Without mutual respect

and support for each other’s cultural integrity we cannot secure our
personal identities and complement each other’s enterprise as we
should.

NEW INITIATIVES

Notwithstanding some diversity of viewpoints, Aborigines with one
voice are asserting the right to:

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