It explains this in terms of Australian history and contemporary social structures, specifically the Eurocentric criminal justice system. The paper then goes on to describe and discuss recent measures introduced at both Federal and State levels which have been designed to counteract some of the negative effects of the system on Aboriginals. The paper concludes with an analysis of the issues which are raised by the plight of Aboriginals and parallel situations in other countries which have ethnic minority populations who are unduly affected by rapid social and economic change. (Author abstract)