“Changing attitudes between 1945 and 2005 led to policies that were more beneficial for indigenous people in Australia.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement. Candidates may refer to the “assimilation” policies of the early part of this timeframe that led to an increase in expenditure on health, housing, education and training programmes and a subsequent halt to population decline in some regions. The social changes of the 1960s saw concerted efforts to review and repeal restrictive and discriminatory legislation; universal suffrage, access to social security and constitutional amendments were some benefits. Later decades have seen policies focused on “self-management” and the establishment of government support programmes to support the development of Australian Aboriginal people and to provide a base for Australian Aboriginal economic self-sufficiency. Despite changing attitudes and improved benefits, problems remained in many areas. Candidates may agree, partly agree or disagree with the statement.

Candidates were required to offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that changing attitudes between 1945 and 2005 led to policies that were more beneficial for indigenous people in Australia. Candidates may have challenged the assumption in the question by arguing that the discrimination towards indigenous people continued to be a problem in Australia.