What is settler colonialism?

Using specific examples discuss how settler

colonialism operates in so-called Australia

Introduction

Settler colonialism, as Patrick Wolfe distinguishes it from traditional colonialism,

represents a profoundly contrasting approach to the process of colonisation. While

conventional colonialism primarily involves the establishment of trading posts and

often centres around mercantile exchange or the brutal practice of enslaving

populations (Pugliese in Gregoire 2021), it typically does not seek to alter the entire

structure of the colonised nation fundamentally and permanently.

In stark contrast, settler colonialism transcends the limited scope of establishing

trading outposts or exploiting local resources. Instead, it is characterised by a

relentless pursuit—the complete elimination of Indigenous populations from their

ancestral lands. Patrick Wolfe's framework, as elucidated by Pugliese in Gregoire

(2021), describes this process of elimination as the bedrock upon which settler

colonialism is built. What emerges from this foundation are overarching and

systematic processes of wholesale replacement.

As a consequence, Indigenous institutions, which encompass vital aspects such as

law, culture, language, religion, and societal structures, face deliberate and

calculated dismantlement. The settler colonisers, driven by a desire for dominance,

systematically substitute these Indigenous systems with their own core institutions,

effectively imposing their cultural, political, and social norms on the colonised

territory (Moreton-Robinson 2015).

This essay will employ Patrick Wolfe's framework to examine the concept of settler

colonialism, emphasising its distinctiveness from traditional colonialism. Through

applying this perspective to the Australian context, shedding light on the historical

and ongoing manifestations of settler colonialism, including its impact on Indigenous

institutions, through the prison industrial complex (custodial deaths of Indigenous

peoples), and the systematic racism towards all Indigenous peoples in Australia

(Pugliese in Gregoire 2021), as well as the lack of funding to regional areas with

large Indigenous populations preventing these areas from prospering, and instead

being given to affluent white-dominated suburbs (Langton 2008). By delving into

specific examples and exploring the enduring consequences of settler colonialism,

we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how this phenomenon

operates in so-called Australia, perpetuating challenges for Indigenous communities

and their pursuit of justice and sovereignty.

Systematic Racism in Settler Colonial Australia

Systematic racism has been deeply ingrained in the history and structures of settler

colonial Australia, perpetuating marginalisation and discrimination of Indigenous

peoples. It is multifaceted, and manifests in various aspects of Indigenous life. This

is glaringly obvious as Indigenous Australians are disproportionately represented in

the criminal justice system., The Australian Institute of Criminology states that

despite making up just 3% of the overall population, Indigenous peoples account for

more than 29% of the adult prison population (Remond M et al. 2023), consequential

proof that Indigenous Australians are significantly overrepresented in the country’s

prisons. This large disparity is the direct consequence of settler colonial policies and

practices that have systematically disadvantaged Indigenous communities.

The prison industrial complex operates as a harsh tool of settler colonialism in

Australia. Indigenous peoples are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement,

leading to higher arrest rates, increased likelihood of reoffending and longer

sentences. The systematic racism that is embedded in the criminal justice system

exacerbates the issues that is caused by targeting from law enforcement, with

Indigenous Australians facing discriminatory sentencing, racial profiling, and a lack of

culturally appropriate support services (Dudgeon et al. 2021). This systematic racism

and its consequences extend far beyond the prison walls, as it disrupts Indigenous

families and communities, exacerbates social inequality and perpetuates cycles of

poverty.

Furthermore, the custodial deaths of Indigenous peoples in Australian custody are a

grim reflection of systemic racism. Despite numerous inquiries and

recommendations into the high incidence of Indigenous deaths in custody, it is still a

long-standing issue that continues to persist (Cunneen 2001). Conducted in the early

1990s, the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody investigated and

identified a range of factors that contributed to these deaths which included cultural

insensitivity, inadequate medical care and excessive use of force. However, the

majority of these recommendations remain unimplemented, highlighting the

disregard and ongoing neglect for the lives of Indigenous Australians.

Indigenous Australians face significant disparities in sectors such as education,

employment and healthcare, in which systematic racism effects them more than non-

Indigenous Australians. The history of dispossession, discrimination, and the

ongoing impact of settler colonialism, which has resulted in the marginalisation of

Indigenous communities are all factors that have lead to disparities in Indigenous

Australians lives.

Lack of Indigenous Funding in Settler Colonial Australia

The lack of funding and resources allocated to Indigenous communities is a critical

aspect of settler colonialism in Australia (Langton 2008). This lack of investment

hinders the self-determination and prosperity of Indigenous peoples as well as

perpetuating socio-economic disparities. Although the government has

acknowledged the past injustices and promises reconciliation, the resource

allocation and inadequate funding to Indigenous communities are stark indicators of

the ongoing impact of settler colonialism.

Accessing essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure is an

issue that Indigenous communities in remote and regional areas face. The lack of

funding in these areas has led to sub-standard housing conditions, inadequate

schools and limited access to quality healthcare. . As noted by the United Nations

Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz

(2017) during her visit to Australia, Indigenous communities face issues such as

inadequate sanitation, limited access to clean water and overcrowded housing,

which is comparable to those in developing nations.

A key issue is the funding disparities in education, with Indigenous students in

Australia face lower levels of educational attainment and achievement compared to

non-Indigenous students. This is due to the lack of culturally relevant curriculum and

services and underfunding of Indigenous schools. The “Closing the Gap” initiative,

aimed at reducing disparities in health, employment and education, and has made

limit progress (Saunders 2015). This underscores the need for more meaningful

engagement and significant investment with Indigenous communities.

Furthermore, the lack of funding heightens the challenges economic development

and employment opportunities for Indigenous communities. A disproportionate

amount of Indigenous communities struggle with high rates of unemployment and

poverty due to the lack of proper infrastructure, resources and job opportunities

(Langton 2008). This is a direct consequence of settler colonialism, which has

dispossessed Indigenous peoples from their land and resources.

Whereas affluent, white-dominated suburbs in Australia often receive substantial

funding and support for infrastructure development and public services from the

government. This disparity in resource allocation further entrenches the

marginalisation of Indigenous communities and perpetuates the cycle of

disadvantage.

Conclusion

To conclude, settler colonialism in so-called Australia is characterised by

systematically imposing settler institutions on Indigenous land and its relentless

pursuit of eliminating Indigenous populations. Systematic racism (Dudgeon et al.

2021) and the lack of funding for Indigenous communities (Langton 2008) are two

integral components of this ongoing colonial project. Systematic racism is seen in the

overrepresentation of Indigenous Australians in the criminal justice system,

disparities in education, employment and healthcare, and deaths in custody. These

issues are rooted in historical injustices and continue to perpetuate inequality today.

Likewise, the lack of funding in Indigenous communities hampers their access to

essential services, infrastructure development and economic opportunities. This

disparity in resource allocation prevents Indigenous Australians from prospering and

exercising their right to self-determination, as well as underscoring the systemic

neglect of Indigenous communities. It is imperative to acknowledge and rectify these

systemic issues, engage in meaningful dialogue and cooperate with Indigenous

communities to address the enduring consequences of settler colonialism in

Australia (Langton 2008). Only through genuine reconciliation and a commitment to

justice and equity can Australia truly move beyond the legacy of settler colonialism

and provide Indigenous peoples with the opportunities and support they deserve.

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