Table of Contents

Introduction; 1. The citzenship divide in colonial Victoria; 2. Under the law: Aborigines and islanders in colonial Queensland; 3. Is the constitution to blame?; 4. The Commonwealth defines the Australian citizen with Tom Clarke; 5. The states confine the Aboriginal non-citizen; 6. The slow path to civil rights; 7. From civil to indigenous rights.

Promotional Information

This is a comprehensive investigation of the systematic denial of citizenship to indigenous Australians.

Reviews

'This is an impressively detailed exposition of the legislative and administrative regimes that excluded indigenous Australians form ellective citizenship ... Chesterman and Galligan (not forgetting Tom Clarke) set out to disclose how Aborigines were rendered citizens without rights; they succeed admirably.' Russell McGregor, Australian Historical Studies
"The authors offer an in-depth perpsective that frames the contemporary debate about moving beyond civil to indigenous rights, and about the conditions for reconciliation more generally. Upper-division undergraduates and above." Choice
"...those who do not know or need to be reminded why the makers of the constitution inserted the so-called "discriminatory" clauses will find the authors' lucid account invaluable." American Historical Review
"This is a well-researched, well-written and well-argued book. It should be essential reading for anyone trying to come seriously to grips with Australia's past and present policies towards Aborigines. It should also be essential reading for anyone interested more generally in debates about Australian citizenship." Will Sanders, Pacific Affairs