The most common result, initially, was that thousands of people were living in unproductive camps on the fringes of what little town there was, without ready access to any sort of pre-established social service payments outlet. They often had no access to a balanced diet or medical attention; there was not enough room to live without toilets; they were suddenly living close to people with whom they had a taboo relationship; they had no housing.
Without access to country, life could have no meaning. Being unable to fulfil obligations to country was akin to every refugee’s dilemma on leaving family behind; never knowing their fate and having to live with guilt.
But this was worse: Aboriginals were in Limbo, with no hope of building a future for their children. These were not the consequences people must bear when they make a bad choice, for they were given no choice. Life was effectively a prison without walls.
For a few, this situation was a steep learning curve they would survive. People worked together to organise decent food, or to fight for land rights or to lobby for some form of housing. For too many, the damage would be permanent, and has passed from one generation to the next.
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