Exploring Financial Disengagement of Indigenous Australians : Culture Matters

Financial disengagement of Indigenous Australians stems from external and internal sources. External factors include geographical location, unemployment, lower income, and lower financial literacy. Internal factors relate to Indigenous cultural norms of sharing which influence money management practices. The High Court of Australia’s decision in Australian Securities and Investments Commission v. Kobelt highlights the cultural practice of ‘demand sharing’ and the use of the ‘book-up’ system within remote Indigenous communities. The majority 4:3 decision that Mr. Kobelt did not engage in unconscionable conduct with his practice of the book-up system with Indigenous customers indicates the relevance of cultural lenses in evaluating unconscionable conduct in Indigenous context.

Applying an Indigenous Standpoint Theory and using a mixed methodology of statistical and reflective analytical approaches with Indigenous oral testimonies, this article demonstrates that culture matters and that connection to culture and community is key to Indigenous Peoples’ identity and strength. It provides resilience and is foundational to well-being, including financial wellbeing. Thus, effective design and implementation of financial literacy and capabilities programs worked by, or in consultation and collaboration with, Indigenous Peoples will contribute to financial engagement of Indigenous Australians. The lessons learned could also apply broadly to promoting financial engagement of Indigenous Peoples in the CANZUS nations.

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