The Indigenous Australian population is a mostly urbanised
demographic, but a substantial number (27%%) live in remote settlements
often located on the site of former church missions.

The health and economic difficulties facing both groups are
substantial.

Both the remote and urban populations have adverse ratings on a number
of social indicators, including health, education, unemployment,
poverty and crime.

In 2004 former Prime Minister John Howard initiated contracts with
Aboriginal communities, where substantial financial benefits are
available in return for commitments such as ensuring children wash
regularly and attend school.

These contracts are known as Shared Responsibility Agreements. This
saw a political shift from 'self determination' for Aboriginal
communities to 'mutual obligation', which has been criticised as a
"paternalistic...