Success in Closing the Socio-Economic Gap, But Still a Long Way to Go: Urban Aboriginal Disadvantage, Trauma, and Racism in the Australian City of Newcastle

Abstract

The research presented in this article is based on a four-year place-based qualitative case study of Aboriginal success in addressing Aboriginal disadvantage in the Australian city of Newcastle. The article presents extracts from in-depth interviews with Aboriginal people working on a day-to-day basis with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people experiencing disadvantage in this city. Interviewees define Indigenous disadvantage in a way that differs considerably from how it is defined in mainstream policy circles. They describe Indigenous disadvantage as being grounded in the histories of social exclusion from Australian society, rather than merely a contemporary phenomenon related socio-economic factors (i.e., lack of educational and employment opportunities). They indicated that it was (a) closely tied to Aboriginal experiences of displacement and trauma; (b) not just a material problem but a historical and social structural problem; and (c) unique to each community. For instance, urban Indigenous disadvantage is distinct from Indigenous disadvantage in remote areas. This supports the claims of Indigenous sociologist Maggie Walter (2009). In doing so, the article more strongly aligns with a critique of a neo-liberal racial project, which defines Indigenous disadvantage within an individualistic framework of individual rights and in terms of socio-economic gaps, from the voices of Aboriginal representatives.

Shaping Sustainable Employment and Social Consequences of Indigenous Australians in a Remote Region

“…An absence of primary micro-level longitudinal data on Indigenous employment has not helped us understand how to reduce the social exclusion of the first Australians from the dominant national society. Moreover, the common practice of social science too often "starts with conceptual ideas taken from one context and inappropriately seeks to transplant these into a different cultural context" [60] (p. 22). This risky behavior may not help researchers identify pertinent issues due to any overlay of preconception.…”

Closing the Gap: Examining how the problem of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage is represented in policy

“…Halve the gap for Indigenous students in year 12 attainment or equivalent attainment rates by 10 2020, and 11 6. Halve the gap in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians 12 within a decade 13 culturally appropriate and accessible health and social services (Osborne et al 2013;Holland 2018;Howard-Wagner 2019). Arguably, one of the most significant absences from the listed targets is the need to address racism and discrimination experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.…”

“…Arguably, one of the most significant absences from the listed targets is the need to address racism and discrimination experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Evidence indicates that both can significantly impact physical and mental health and are key drivers of social and economic inequity, as racism and discrimination can limit a person's ability to access health care, education and employment (Paradies 2006;Ferdinand et al 2012;DPMC 2017;Howard-Wagner 2019).…”