Policy implications of indigenous population change, 1991-1996

Since 1971 the indigenous population of Australia has trebled. From 1991 to 1996 numbers grew by 33 per cent, 16 per cent more than had been projected. This unexpected increase was highest in the south-east, especially in Tasmania and the ACT. Much of it can be explained by out-marriage. In 1996, 64 per cent of couples (in married or de facto relationships) included a non-indigenous partner. Most of the children from these intermixed relationships have been counted as indigenous persons in the Census. Copyright. Monash University and the author/