Indigenous perspectives

The engagement of Indigenous Australians in economic activity is a matter of long-standing public concern and debate. Jon Altman has been intellectually engaged with Indigenous economic activity for almost 40 years, most prominently through his elaboration of the concept of the hybrid economy, and most recently through his sustained and trenchant critique of policy. He has inspired others also to engage with these important issues, both through his writing and through his position as the foundation Director of The Australian National University’s Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy research from 1990 to 2010. The year 2014 saw both Jon’s 60th birthday and his retirement from CAEPR. This collection of essays marks those events. Contributors include long‑standing colleagues from the disciplines of economics, anthropology and political science, and younger scholars who have been inspired by Jon’s approach in developing their own research projects.

Championing the recognized right of all peoples to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development, this study offers fresh insights into the ways communities can chart their own course and realize self-determination.

The recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody identified tourism as a potential source of private sector employment and enterprise development for Aboriginal people. The question arises as to how realistic this expectation is, given the findings of the 1994 Aboriginal Employment Development Policy (AEDP) mid-term review that Aboriginal people are reluctant to actively seek work in this sector of mainstream employment. This paper describes a commercial tourism venture in north Queensland which employs local Aboriginal people.

Reports on the outcome of an inquiry into the positive factors and examples amongst Indigenous communities and individuals which have improved employment oputcomes in the public and private sectors; recommends ways this can inform future policy development; assesses what significant factors have contributed to positive outcomes, including the contribution of practical reconciliation; report addresses welfare dependence; outlines workforce participation; stresses that many submissions argued for a holistic approach, therefore housing, pre-school education, school outcomes, school to work transition is also covered; fourteen recommendations cover construction maintenance programs (with reference to the successful operation of the Cairns and District Regional Housing Corporation); tender requirements; Indigenous employment by small businesses; micro-finance; funding for mentors; education; National Indigenous Cadet Scheme; work experience; public servants in regional and remote areas; private sector Indigenous employment.

This paper puts forward the ABS' proposed definition of small-to-medium privately-owned Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses as a basis for further discussion.

This is the second volume to emerge from a project on Indigenous participation in the Australian economy, funded by an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant, and involving the cooperation of the School of Archaeology and Anthropology at The Australian National University and the National Museum of Australia.

Business Communication for the Global Age is an exciting and innovative text designed to provide an appropriate balance between theory, practice and real-world examples for Business Communication courses at tertiary level. Crossman, Bordia and Mills have combined their extensive teaching and communication-related research experience to create a text that addresses the needs of students and lecturers of contemporary business communication studies. The text provides comprehensive coverage of significant issues such as: diversity, intergenerational communication, spirituality, doing business with indigenous Australians, intercultural communication, online communication, information systems in organisations, the power of discourse in shaping business practices and credible business presentations.

The comprehensive and thoroughly accessible International Handbook of Research on Indigenous Entrepreneurship aims to develop a multidisciplinary theory explaining entrepreneurship as a function of cultural perceptions of opportunity.The Handbook presen

Marcia Langton: Welcome to Country is a curated guidebook to Indigenous Australia and the Torres Strait Islands. In its pages, author Professor Marcia Langton offers fascinating insights into Indigenous languages and customs, history, native title, art and dance, storytelling, and cultural awareness and etiquette for visitors. There is also a directory of Indigenous tourism experiences, organised by state or territory, covering galleries and festivals, national parks and museums, communities that are open to visitors, as well as tours and performances.