Irrational choice? a study of Aboriginal decision-making and political action in response to Commonwealth reforms to Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory from 2006 to 2013

Abstract

This study examines Aboriginal decision-making and political action in response to Commonwealth leasing measures implemented from 2006 to 2013. Specifically, the study examines the response of two remote Aboriginal communities, Ntaria and Daguragu, to the voluntary housing lease measure which was introduced after the mandatory five-year leases. Unlike its predecessor, the housing lease measure required traditional Aboriginal owners to provide their consent before a lease over Aboriginal land could be put in place. While governments focused on the economic costs and benefits in their incentivisation of the housing lease measure, the decision-making in Ntaria and Daguragu demonstrates that the actions were motivated by both economic and non-economic factors. These included the desire to preserve Aboriginal decision-making rights and to obtain government funding for housing infrastructure and services without conceding government interference. The findings also indicate that the political actions were in response to government policies but also reflected conflicts and disagreements between Aboriginal groups, representatives and leaders.