e prepared to cast aside assimilationist ideas in their identification of Aborigines fundamental right to maintain their racial identity and traditional lifestyle or, if preferred, to adopt partially or entirely a European lifestyle. The Liberal Partys Aboriginal Affairs policy emerged as self-management, a policy that was held to distinguish Liberal policy from that of Labor, stressing as it did that Aborigines should not only be responsible for their future development, but also accountable for the success or failure of such development. National Party politicians have been far less prepared than the Liberals to accept that Aborigines require special assistance to meet their needs. The primary political issues faced by Aborigines today include Aboriginal death in custody, reconciliation, land rights including native title and the Mabo decision, and the Stolen Generation. There are other issues, however these appear to be the major contemporary issues by way of the media focus they have gained and policies and legislation relating to them.In regards to reconciliation, the Liberal Party is committed to reconciliation. They are working with the Reconciliation Council in order to develop a written understanding between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians that will recognise the prior occupation of this country by indigenous people and their place in the Australian community. However, in 1999 it was reported that the UN Committee felt the Liberal Governments approach to native title laws were in breach of Australias international legal obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Under previous Liberal Governments, Australia was a strong and proud voice against racial discrimination. If this being the case, then it would appear to be the present Liberal governments policies not fully supporting Aborigines and land rights, rather than an overall representation of the Liberal Party in gene...
