Files
Abstract
How are Aboriginal rights and representation negotiated and contested in Australia? Recent scholarship on Aboriginal rights in Australia demonstrates persistent inequalities and low human rights enjoyment. Aboriginal representation in Australia remains contentious as domestic struggles for recognition of Aboriginal sovereignty continues. There is a considerable gap in understanding how Indigenous rights and representation are contested and achieved in liberal democracies. Within the broader literature on political representation, studies exploring Indigenous representation are limited. Thus, with this project, I explore three levels of Aboriginal political representation by asking: How well does Australia comply with international law regarding violence against Aboriginal women? How do Aboriginal legislators use their influence to advance Aboriginal rights claims within domestic political institutions? And how are Aboriginal rights claims articulated outside of formal political institutions through artwork? I explore these questions through a case study analysis of Aboriginal representation in Australia both internationally and domestically across three actors: the state, Aboriginal MPs, and Aboriginal artists. Demonstrating political representation is a dynamic, contested process including a variety of actors, approaches, and goals. I argue that settler colonial democracies have an interest in the obfuscation of Indigenous rights, making rights achievements through international human rights mechanisms limited at best. I find Aboriginal rights and substantive representation are best advanced domestically by Aboriginal people both inside and outside of formal political institutions through a prioritization of Aboriginal experiences, and advocacy for greater rights and representation.